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There are sometimes I will admit i would like to try something...new. Maybe twists? Braids? Sew in? SOMETHING!!!???!!!! DOnt get my wrong I love my curls...LOVE them. I would love to switch it but I am so worried about my edges getting all ate up and becoming MIA so I was looking on my fav website www.bglhonline.com and I stumbled upon this list...makes alot of sense....
Is protective styling a dirty word? I think that there are some women who think of protective styles as boring and even unattractive. There are a second set of women who regard protective styles as a necessarily evil on the way to longer hair. There is the third set who regard protective styles as quick and low maintenance.
No matter where you stand, I think that protective styling has its benefits and can work for you if you let it.
1. DO: Choose the correct style
In order for a protective style to be effective in retaining length it has to
◦Eliminate breakage (ideally) or severely reduce it ◦Eliminate knotting and tangling (ideally) or severely reduce it Naturals will often class protective styles into LOW manipulation or NO manipulation styles. Low manipulation styles are those that will require some regular daily handling. Examples include braid or twist outs which are rebraided or retwisted at night. Buns and tucked in styles (french rolls, cinnabuns etc) where hair is free but kept tucked away and off the shoulders are also low manipulation styles.
No manipulation styles are those where free strands of hair are not handled. Examples include twists, braids , cornrows, flat twists, sew in weaves and wigs where hair is braided or twisted underneath and does not require daily combing.
Without any combing (finger or actual comb) of free strands, the no manipulation styles are the most effective in terms of eliminating breakage, knotting and tangling. Low manipulation styles may result in some breakage, knotting and tangling but when performed correctly this damage should be reduced and dependant on hair type, eliminated.
DON’T: Ignore tension or go too small
The big DON’T is never to pull hair too tight when styling it in any manner (buns, twists or braids). This can result in breakage and traction alopecia around the hairline.
The second big DON’T is micro braids and twists. These can look very beautiful but are more often than not terrible for the hairline. If you or your hairdresser has sufficient experience in installing and taking down micros, they are perfectly fine. The big risk is usually at the take down stage where if you have insufficient skill or patience you may end up breaking a lot of the length that you were attempting to retain.
2. DO: Keep the correct style in for long enough – Stretch it out For retaining length, a protective style is not effective unless it is kept for a sufficient time. This is especially true for no manipulation styles where elimination of breakage is a priority.
Taking a quick survey of naturals with long type 4 hair (examples Sera, Mwedzi, Aijo, Maestra Diva, Loo, Dani), the most success seems to arise from a period of two weeks (though often 3-4 weeks) or longer in twists or braids. Hair is not subsequently left free for long (usually 2-3 days) but is instead rebraided or retwisted for another 2 week (or longer) period. Many of these ladies will have periods of free hair but often not for long during the year. I would estimate that until getting to around mid back length most will be spending 70% or more of the time with twists or braids.
DON’T: Neglect hair or keep the style in for too long.
When hair is in a no manipulation style, your regular routine should not be postponed. You can still wash your hair as normal as well as apply water and oil to moisturise your hair (or whatever you normally use) whenever you feel the need.
For no manipulation styles, there is a danger of build up, lint and matting which can all lead to a loss of length as more aggressive combing, cutting and trimming may be necessary to fix the problems. It is possible to keep a protective style well beyond 2 weeks (even up to 8 weeks). However, a key factor in successfully doing this is to watch out for the possible build up and matting and pay special attention to the hair around the perimeter taking care to redo it every 2 weeks or so
Is protective styling a dirty word? I think that there are some women who think of protective styles as boring and even unattractive. There are a second set of women who regard protective styles as a necessarily evil on the way to longer hair. There is the third set who regard protective styles as quick and low maintenance.
No matter where you stand, I think that protective styling has its benefits and can work for you if you let it.
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