Saleemah Cartwright: Is your protective style really causing a hair setback?

Is your protective style really causing a "hair setback”?

Hey guys!

In this blog post, I am going to discuss the incorrect usage of protective styles.

Most of you already know what protective styles are but for those who don’t..... the definition is below.

Protective styles are “very low manipulation styles” that tuck away the length of your hair. If your hair ends are properly moisturized and tucked away, moisture levels will increase and ultimately breakage should decrease.

If your goal is length retention or obtaining healthy hair, we are all told that protective styling is the way to go. It should help protect those ends and reduce breakage. In most cases, this is true. Keeping those ends protected can aid in preventing breakage. Manipulating the hair very little will always be beneficial to natural hair (which can be extremely fragile).

If done incorrectly, protective styles can be extremely harmful to the hair. This can cause severe hair damage, extreme hair setbacks and absolutely no progress. I have seen many ladies wear protective styles nonstop, but still experience breakage and unquestionably no length retention. Before I was educated on the subject, I would wonder why some people would wear braids for 4-5 years straight and their hair would still be about 4-5 inches long??? If hair grew ¼ inch to ½ inch per month (for most individuals), why didn’t their hair grow extremely long after protective styling for such an extended period of time???

Here are a few protective styling traps that need to be avoided.

Sewin weaves / crochet braids

These styles can be AWESOME protective styles if done correctly. Unfortunately, I see this style misused the most. Many ladies will get their install and do absolutely NOTHING to their real hair. NO cleansing – NO deep conditioning- NO moisturizing. …..ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! If you stop giving your hair that extra TLC that it needs while protective styling, your hair will ultimately pay the price. While wearing these styles, we can’t forget to take care of our “real hair” braided under the commercial hair. Many wear these styles and just forget about their real hair for 2-3 months. Some people will not even cleanse their hair, not to mention deep condition. Cleansing, conditioning and moisturizing the cornrows under the weave on a regular basis are extremely essential tasks. Adding moisture on a regular basis to your corn-rows will keep your real hair moisturized and healthy. It will also prevent damage and breakage that can occur at the time of removal. Extreme damage/breakage can occur while removing the commercial hair and taking down the corn-rows if the hair is not properly cared for. The hair will be dirty, dry and brittle. This is a recipe for extreme breakage.

Hair Tip

Every 2-3 days apply the Hydratherma Naturals Daily Moisturizing Growth Lotion to your corn-rows under the commercial hair to keep it moisturized. Then seal in the moisture with the Hydratherma Naturals Hair Growth Oil. Just apply a small amount to your fingers and massage into your braids and scalp. Both of these products contain Emu Oil which has been clinically proven to promote hair growth by the studies of Dr. Hollick. You will notice that at the time of removal of your protective style, less breakage will occur because your hair has been properly taken care of.

Hydratherma Naturals Daily Moisturizing Growth Lotion (with Emu)

Hydratherma Naturals Hair Growth Oil (with Emu)

Braids

Leaving braids in longer than 8 weeks can certainly cause damage (particularly in the nape area) and is not recommended at all if your goal is to retain length. We know that getting our “money’s worth” out of a hairstyle is extremely important, but keeping braids in for lengthy periods of time will cause unnecessary breakage at the root which will not lead to much progress.

Removing your braids and giving your hair a break in between sessions will keep your hair healthy. Also, don’t forget to cleanse, condition and moisturize. This is so very crucial.

The best choices

In my opinion, low manipulation styles without added hair are the best choices as far as protective styles go. Two strand twist, buns, flat twist and pin-curled looks can be easily taken down so that you can simply moisturize and treat your hair weekly.

Also, using certain types of braiding hair can suck the moisture out of your real hair and cause excessive dryness. If you do decide to use commercial hair, be sure that it is high quality.

If protective styles are done properly, you will reap the benefits of healthy hair. If not, it will be very disadvantageous…… which is unquestionably not the goal. J

Happy Hair Growing!

Saleemah Cartwright

Co-Owner- Hydratherma Naturals

www.HydrathermaNaturals.com

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