Expert Tips for Avoiding Damage with Protective Styles

Protective styles like braids, twists, and weaves are great for giving your hair a break from daily styling and promoting growth. However, if not done correctly, these styles can lead to damage and lots of breakage. To help you keep your hair healthy and thriving while rocking your favorite protective styles, we’ve gathered expert tips and advice. Let’s dive right in!

What Are Protective Styles?
Protective styles are hairstyles that tuck away the ends of your hair, shielding them from environmental damage and manipulation. They can help retain moisture, minimize breakage, and promote length retention, making them popular choices for many people with natural hair.

Expert Tips for Avoiding Hair Damage

1. Start with Healthy Hair: Before getting a protective style, ensure your hair is in good condition. Don’t go in for a protective style if your scalp is loaded with buildup or if your strands are weak and barely hanging on. Provide a good foundation for your protective style by cleansing your scalp, and strengthening your strands with deep conditioning treatments and moisturizing it regularly.
2. Choose the Right Style: Not all protective styles are created equal. Choose styles that are gentle on your hair and scalp, avoiding excessive tension or weight that can lead to breakage. Avoid tight cornrow styles, and installing heavy braids especially if you’ve got short or generally thin hair.
3. Prepare Your Hair: Properly prepare your hair before installing a protective style. Detangle gently, moisturize with a leave-in conditioner or oil, and consider using a heat protectant if heat styling is involved. This helps minimize stress on your hair and ensures it’s adequately moisturized and protected.
4. Be Gentle During Installation: When getting your protective style installed, communicate with your stylist about your hair’s sensitivity and preferences. Ensure they use proper techniques and avoid pulling or tugging on your hair excessively.
5. Protect Your Edges: The delicate hair around your edges is particularly prone to damage, so take extra care to protect them. Avoid tight hairstyles that pull on your edges and consider using edge-friendly products to nourish and protect this area. If your edges are weak, opt for hairstyles like natural twists that won’t be too taxing on your hairline. While styles like cornrows may appear more favorable when you’ve got weak edges, getting them installed too tight may cause massive hair loss over time.
6. Moisturize and Maintain: Don’t neglect your hair while it’s in a protective style. Moisturize regularly with a spray of water or a water-based moisturizer hair spray like our Tsavorite Spritz Moisturizer Hair Spray, paying attention to your scalp and hair ends. Keep your hair clean and refreshed by gently cleansing with shampoo or performing an apple cider vinegar rinse.
7. Know When to Remove: While protective styles can be worn for several weeks, it’s essential to listen to your hair’s needs. If you notice excessive itching, or discomfort, it may be time to remove your protective style to prevent further damage.

Bottomline
Protective styles can be a great way to give your hair a break and promote healthy growth, but it’s essential to take proper care to avoid damage. By following these expert tips, you can rock your favorite protective styles while keeping your hair strong, healthy, and beautiful. Remember to prioritize gentle handling, adequate moisture, and regular maintenance to keep your hair thriving for the long haul.