Do These Popular Summer Styles Really Protect Your Hair?

Are you looking for the perfect summer styles to protect your hair?

Summertime brings out the fun, sun, and style.

While you stay cool, you want to look fabulous and protect your hair.

Having a protective hairstyle saves time and keeps your hair healthy while you enjoy the summer festivities.

What are summer protective styles?

A protective style is one that reduces tension on your hair strands and protects the most delicate part of your hair, the ends. A protective style requires very minimal combing, brushing, or manipulating of the hair.

In turn, this reduces breakage and hair loss due to over-manipulation.

Both natural and relaxed hair can be put into protective styles.

Box Braids and Tribal Braids are summer protective styles

Box braids and tribal braids are super trendy this summer and they're my personal favorite. You can wear them in a sophisticated updo or you can casually wear them down for a family outing. The variety of colors available is endless!

Do these styles protect your hair?

Yes! Box braids and tribal braids can provide protection for your hair when they are installed correctly. They provide protection for your hair strands. They help to seal in moisture and decrease breakage from manipulation, and keep the ends of your hair tucked safely into the braid.

Things To Consider: Box braids and tribal braids should not be installed with too much tension applied to the roots of your hair. This can cause breakage and traction alopecia (a form of gradual hair loss caused by too much tension or pulling on the hair).

If box braids or tribal braids are not uninstalled in a timely manner, too much tension can be placed on the roots of the hair. Therefore, make sure you uninstall these styles after 4-6 weeks of the initial installation.

Crochet Braids Are Another Protective Style

From long beach waves to coily curls, almost any look can be achieved with this technique. Crochet or tree braids are styles that require your hair to be braided into cornrows. You can install single hair strands, twists, or braids onto your cornrows. Then, use a latch hook tool. The hair is tied off to ensure that the strands are secured.

Do crochet and tree braids offer protection for your hair?

When installed properly, crochet and tree braids help to seal in moisture and eliminate breakage that may come with daily combing and brushing.

Things To Consider: When getting crochet or tree braids installed, care must be taken to avoid installing hair too close to the hairline. The hairline is more vulnerable to damage. Be careful when installing too much in this area.

Your stylist should have experience with the technique because if not, your hair can be pulled, tugged or ripped with the latch hook tool.

Wigs Are Great Summer Hair Styles

Decades ago, wigs were predominately worn by women who either had conditions that affected hair growth, or experienced hair loss, or by celebrities who needed to quickly change their look. Today, wigs are a common option for women who desire an easy protective style.

Are wigs a viable option for a protective style?

Yes, a wig can protect your hair from the harsh heat of the summer sun and allow your hair to rest in between styles.

Things to Consider: You should wear a cap over your hair before putting on a wig. This will prevent hair breakage by decreasing friction between your hair and the underside of the wig. You can secure a wig with wig combs or clips. Care must be taken to avoid pulling or tugging with the placement of the wig combs or clips.

This summer, the lace front wig is very popular for giving you a natural-looking hairline. You can secure a lace front wig with specialized hair glue. But be careful: You can put your hair and scalp at risk whenever glue is involved. You could experience breakage, hair loss, and irritation. You could possibly see an allergic reaction to the chemicals in the glue.

Your summer style should be just as fun and beautiful as the summer days. Selecting an experienced stylist for your protective style will make all the difference. Your stylist will ensure that your style is healthy and fabulous!