If you ask hairstylists about ways you can encourage your hair to grow, many of them will suggest wearing a protective style. That’s because these styles are supposed to reduce the likelihood of hair loss while keeping your hair moisturized and protected from the elements. However, not everyone sees the kind of growth that they expect. Protective styles can be fashionable, but they can be frustrating if you’re still not seeing the progress that you’d like. According to some hair experts, though, there may be a few good reasons for that, and once you fix those issues, your hair should reap the benefits.
5 Reasons Protective Styles Aren’t Growing Your Hair
1. The Style Isn’t Right for Your Hair
Protective styles come in a variety of options, and you have to choose the one that’s right for your hair. If you use a protective style that is too tight or too heavy, then you could be doing your hair an injustice. The tension will pull on your hair and put it under so much stress that you could end up losing more hair than you started with. That means you won’t see any hair growth.
To make things worse, wearing stressful protective styles regularly could result in a condition known as traction alopecia. In this condition, your hair follicles are damaged from repetitive pulling, and you’re likely to have hair loss. Before deciding on a style, talk to your stylist about what’s best for your hair.
2. You Don’t Take Care of Your Hair
Some people think that wearing a protective style means you don’t have to care about your hair for as long as you have it in. That couldn’t be further from the truth. If you don’t take care of your hair, it’s not going to grow and may even be damaged while you’re wearing the style.
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When wearing a protective style, you still need to keep your hair clean and moisturized. Since you don’t want your hair to grow heavy from products, you must have a wash routine that’s designed for the style.
3. You’re Not Taking Down the Style Right
Stylists usually recommend that you don’t keep in a protective style for more than four to six weeks. That’s because doing that can also put stress on your hair. When it’s time to take the protective style down, it’s important to take the right steps so that you keep the growth that you earned.
The first thing you need to do is set aside enough time to take the style down so you’re not rushing and breaking your hair. It’s essential that your hair is wet during the process, as trying to detangle dry hair can lead to damage. When detangling, use ample amounts of detangling conditioner or natural detanglers such as coconut oil and aloe vera juice.
Additionally, you shouldn’t try to detangle large sections of your hair at a time. It’s best to separate your hair into small areas that you can tackle. Some stylists even suggest detangling each single section when you remove a braid or cornrow. Using a wide-tooth comb, start at the ends and gently work your way up to the root of your hair. Stylists disagree on whether or not a detangling brush is helpful, so you should discuss it with your stylist before using one.
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4. You’re Not Taking Care of Your Scalp
Taking care of your hair doesn’t just mean being good to your strands. An unhealthy scalp can undo your hard work more easily than you expect. This is especially true if you have conditions like psoriasis or dandruff. When wearing a protective style, you must take care to moisturize a dry scalp and clean away any buildup regularly.
5. You’re Not Eating Properly
Not everything that affects your hair happens on the outside. When you don’t eat well, your hair can be one of the places you notice a difference. If your diet is missing vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, minerals like iron and zinc, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, you’re negatively affecting how well your body can take care of your hair. Some of the foods that contain these nutrients include eggs, avocado, oats, sweet potatoes, salmon, tuna, mackerel, chia seeds, flaxseeds, tofu, and broccoli.
RELATED: 5 Signs It’s Time To Remove Your Protective Style
How to Take Care of Your Hair With Protective Styles
Taking the best care of your hair when wearing protective styles starts with prepping it before styling. Stylists suggest washing, deep conditioning, and properly detangling your hair before putting in a new style. An exfoliating shampoo can be great to remove buildup or debris if you have dandruff or psoriasis. Once you’ve done all of this, it’s good to blow-dry your hair with a heat protectant so it’s ready for braids. You can also leave that step up to your stylist if that makes you more comfortable.
Once your style has been installed, the work begins to keep your hair healthy. Firstly, you should moisturize your scalp and braids regularly. A wash routine that involves a cleansing shampoo and a moisturizing conditioner is also a good idea. If your style includes long or multiple braids, take care to alleviate the stress on your hair, as wet braids can be heavy. It’s usually best to gently use a towel to remove some of the water and let the protective style air dry.
Finally, you shouldn’t leave your hair unprotected when you sleep. Using a bonnet or satin pillows can help to maintain your hair’s moisture.
The last part of taking care of your hair with a protective style is what you do once it’s been taken down. You should use a clarifying shampoo and a deep conditioner to remove buildup and moisturize your hair. This is also a time to let your hair breathe. Stylists advise against jumping from one protective style to another, as this can fatigue your hair and damage it. It’s better to nourish your new growth so it’s ready for a new style after a few weeks.
While protective styles can be great for encouraging hair growth, you might not get the results you’re longing for if you don’t know how to take care of your hair. If you have any doubts about what’s best for you, talk to your stylist before taking any new steps.
