How To Stop Post-Protective Style Itchiness

If you’re like most people, you probably love to try out new protective styles to give your hair a break from everyday styling. From box braids to twists, protective styles have become increasingly popular, as they help to keep hair tucked away and protected from daily wear and tear. However, for many, there’s a downside to these protective styles that comes in the form of an itchy scalp.

What Causes an Itchy Scalp

But why does this happen? Itchy scalp after plaiting a protective style can be caused by various reasons, such as:

• Tension from tightness: It’s no secret that when your scalp is constantly under pressure from tight braids, twists, or other styles, it can cause significant irritation.
• A dry and exposed scalp: An exposed scalp void of moisture can leave it feeling itchy.
• Dirt and buildup: If your scalp isn’t cleansed correctly, it can accumulate dirt, buildup, and product residue that can exacerbate the problem.
• An allergic reaction to the hair extensions used: If your scalp feels tender and inflamed after using synthetic braid extensions, you may be allergic.

So, what can you do about it? We’ve got some effective remedies for an itchy scalp that will leave your hair feeling and looking great!

Moisturize daily

The first step is to moisturize your hair daily using a water-based product like our Tsavorite Spritz Moisturizer Hair Spray. It’s essential to hydrate your hair strands to reduce itchiness, dryness and breakage.

You can thereafter apply a light natural oil to seal in the moisture and soothe the scalp, like our Tanzanite Hair Oil. While oils are great, it’s essential to note that oil alone isn’t enough to moisturize your hair. Make sure to moisturize first, then seal with an oil.

Cleanse your hair every few weeks

Another way to keep your scalp itch-free is by cleansing your hair every few weeks. Use a gentle sulfate-free moisturizing shampoo or spot-cleanse using a Q-tip or cotton ball soaked with apple cider vinegar rinse. Apple cider vinegar has natural antibacterial properties and helps to balance your scalp’s pH, which reduces irritation and itchiness.

Don’t hold your hair too tight

Avoid holding your hair too tightly as this can lead to more significant problems like traction alopecia, which can cause hair loss in affected areas. If your stylist braids your hair too tightly, you can ask them to loosen them a bit to avoid any irritation.

Use different extensions

If you have an allergic reaction to synthetic hair extensions, ask your stylist to use human hair instead. Alternatively, you can soak your synthetic extensions in an apple cider vinegar bath before using them to minimize the risk of irritation.

Don’t have in your protective style for too long

It’s crucial to know when to take out your protective style to avoid any adverse effects. When you have your protective style for too long, it can lead to scalp irritation, itchiness, and hair breakage. The recommended duration is between 4-8 weeks, depending on the style and hair type.

Where all else fails, it’s always best to take out the protective style. No style is worth sacrificing your scalp’s health and comfort.