Retain Length with Protective Styling

Hey Guys,

In my prior post I wrote step by step how I complete my bantu knots. This isn't only my fav style because of how amazing the curls always come out, but because it is also a protective style. FYI: Protective styling is the key to preserving your ends.

This term is thrown around quite often. So what is it? Protective styles are hairstyles that do just that. It protects your hair from breakage, split ends, and a number of other damaging factors. Want to preserve your ends and retain length? Try a protective style!

What makes it so protecting? The #1 requirement is to make sure you keep your ends out of sight or un-touched. The ends of you hair are the oldest and most likely the weakest part of your strands. So with your ends tucked away, hair is less prone to damage and less prone to become dry eventually leading to split ends. With split ends comes hair cuts and you may find yourself in a vicious cycle.  

Ever hear females complain saying "my hair only grows to my shoulder." Well a major player in the stagnant length could be a lack of protective styles. Especially during the winter months. In colder weather we usually wear more sweaters and items with thicker fabrics. Having shoulder length hair could mean your precious & aged ends are constantly brushing against your clothing and shoulder. The more rubbing of your ends against these fabrics, the more friction leading to your hair losing moisture. 

Your ends will also over time naturally decrease in thickness from normal wear & tear. Just like clothing and sensitive fabrics. The natural wear & tear of your favorite shirt PLUS not properly taking care of the shirt can lead to a damaged shirt after a couple of years. So take care of those ends ladies!

TYPES OF PROTECTIVE STYLES

One thing I love about natural hair is its diversity. There are MANY various types of protective styles. And if you have short natural hair, you automatically have a protective style. Being that your ends are not rubbing against clothing and shoulders you have fewer factors to contribute to possible split ends.

100% Protective styling: Complete protective styles include styles where your ends are 100% out of sight. Such styles include corn-rows, single braids, and buns on occasion. Remember too tight styles may protect your ends but then can damage your edges. 

Low Manipulation Styles: These are styles that reduce the day to day touching and manipulating of the hair. With these styles, your hair may be out but is up and away from your shoulders/not in contact with drying fabrics such as cotton/wool. Such styles include bantu knots, roller sets, and other curly hairstyles.

Overall, there are many misconceptions about natural hair. Many times people will claim their hair isn't growing. You are for sure experiencing growth but without proper procedures in place to protect the hair that has already grown from your scalp, you will experience breakage making it appear as if your hair is not growing. 

One step you can do right now is PROTECT THOSE ENDS =) In my next post I will share some Dos & Dont's that you can do starting NOW to protect your hair. Below are some inspirational pics of protective styles. 

CLICK ON IMAGE BELOW TO SEE MORE.

Photos from the lovely social pages of @_callmesparkle @melifestyle @_annadoesmyhair @fabulousbre @peakmilll @erica_letstalkhair @destine2bnatural @itszitarose @iamnovibrown @themariaantoinette

Thanks for reading. & Always love thy mane!

-Akilah