Protective Styles for Natural Hair
Many women have chosen to incorporate protective styling into their hair care regimens. Rightfully so, as protecting the hair aids in retaining length. They also diminish the chances of breakage and stress on your natural strands. The less you manipulate your hair the more your hair will grow. Here are some protective styles for natural hair that provide versatility:
Two-Strand Twists
A very popular style among women with natural hair, two strand twists are versatile and can be the foundation for other natural styles. Virtually anyone can add this style to their regimen as long as you have at least one inch of hair. This style is great on any hair length rather short, medium or long. If you get tired of wearing the twists, unravel them to create a wavy/curly look, add a headband or any type of accessory and you’re good to go!
Bantu Knots
Can be done on wet or dry hair and can last several days, especially if you protect your hair during the night while sleeping. This is a very easy style to achieve and adds curl definition and waves without having to use rollers.
Flat Twists
Similar to that of cornrows, but utilizing two sections of hair instead of three to create a twist pattern rather than a French braid pattern. This is also great if you are transitioning to natural because it works well on chemically processed hair as well. This style can be unraveled after a few days to create a twist out. Or, you can also create double protective styling by only flat twisting the front of your hair and then roller setting the back of your hair.
Weaves
This is the style that allows you “set it and forget it”, meaning once the weave is applied you don’t have to worry about manipulating your hair at all for at least 6 weeks at the least! If practicing healthy hair care practices while wearing, this style can do wonders for growing your hair. Why, you ask? Providing that your hair has been braided underneath, your head is completely covered as there is no exposure. However, I recommend that you still shampoo, condition, and moisturize as normal. This ensures that the hair underneath is still being treated and taken care of.
As you can see, integrating protective styles for natural hair into your regimen gives you more variety in styling. The above mentioned styling techniques are not an all inclusive list as there are many other styles for you.
Tips
Start with freshly shampooed and conditioned hair
[...] detangle the hair. Are you also experiencing the difficulties of transitioning? Are you looking for protective styles and transitioning styles to help you through this process? Here are some styles that you can [...]
Stumbled upon your blog and have found it very informative. I’m going to try some of your recommendations. I have very thin hair and I have lost hair from around my temples and I believe my hairline is receding. I have started to wear wigs. I have not been able to experience any type of help with weaves. I was wondering if it was necessary to wear the stocking cap that most stores furnish you with the wigs. I believe it is causing my hair to be dry. Do you have any recommendations?
First of all thanks for visiting this website! With your thinning edges try massaging castor oil or a mixture of essential oils on your temples every night. Massage for about 3-5 minutes. Instead of using the stocking cap, purchase a net and wear that on your hair under the wig. Also, to keep your hair from drying out make sure you are keeping your hair moisturized underneath the wig. It’s also important that you lock in the moisture by sealing it with a light oil. Do some sort of deep conditioning treatment every week to help correct your dryness problems. Check the products you use as well, some may have a lot of protein in them, if so you always need to follow up protein use with a moisturizing product. Hope this helps!
Try also adding some tea tree or eucalyptus oil to your shampoo or conditioner for stronger & healthier hair.
Help! I have very fine hair and have extensions. I have had them put in and taken out 5 different times in the last 6 wks. Either the braids are too big and bulky or they start to slip out after only a few days. I even tried the Pole Weave method. Is there something else my stylist can do when braiding my hair to ensure that it doesn’t loosen up so soon before she sews on the tracts?
Hi Jackie,
Your fine hair may not be able to take braids or extensions. However, if you insist on wearing them, ask your stylist not to add so much hair to one braid. Also, products that you’re using or your frequency of washing may be contributing to your braids loosening so soon.
I appreciate your wedsite