Protective Styles, what is that?

Protective Styles? As a master hair stylist caring for natural hair for over 20 years I have seen trends and styles come and go. You name it, I’ve done it! As the natural hair movement is becoming popular among African American women I enjoy answering and educating black women on natural hair. That’s my passion and I LOVE IT!

We all want to give our natural hair a “healthy” break from time to time. We hope to either minimize natural hair breakage and achieve our natural hair growth goals or making our natural hair thicker.

When asked by clients at Tracy Riggs Salon, “what protective  styles should I get?” I always say there are no “protective” styles for natural hair.  There are “resting” styles for natural hair. Let’s get a little deeper into why protective styles are not always the best choice for your natural hair.

Protective Styles #1 Weave-Ins or Units

Many African American women’s #1 go-to for “protective” styles are weave-ins or “units”. The problem with these methods is you run the risk of getting traction alopecia thinning hair or hair loss. This defeats the whole purpose of getting a “protective” style in the first place.

Protective Styles #2 Braids or Crochet

The second go-to protective styles are braids or crochet braids. This requires your natural hair to be tightly pulled and tugged on so you have to make sure you are careful or you run the risk of getting thinning, balding edges. You can even have an allergic reaction to the synthetic or extension hair or worse, permanent alopecia.

So How Do You Give Your Natural Hair A Rest?

My suggestions for “resting” your natural hair are Buns, Flexy Sets, Roller Sets, Ponytails, Bantu Knots, or Box Braids.  There are so many stylish ways to wear your natural hair so have fun with it. Make sure you are giving your natural hair a deep conditioning once or twice a month. No wig, weave, or unit is going to look better on you than your own natural hair!

Tell me what you do to give your hair a break, email me at [email protected]  Always use quality natural hair products.

Tracy Riggs