A protective hair style keeps the natural hair tucked away and safe from daily manipulation (styling). It also aids in the retention of growing your hair while protecting it. When I mentioned manipulation, I am describing things such as daily brushing, combing, heat tools, and/or chemicals in the hair. Low maintenance hairstyles and protective styling will really keep yours hands out of your head if you want to see hair growth. A person’s hair may not grow for numerous of reasons. It could be there health, stress, medications, and eating habits that can determine a persons hair growth.
Here are some reasons why your hair may not be growing:
- Alopecia Areata
- Hormonal imbalance
- Scalp Infections
- Thyroid Diseasae
- Cancer
- Traction Alopecia
Alopecia Areata- is sudden hair loss in patches or could be in bigger circles taking over an area on your scalp.
Traction Alopecia- this mainly caused by always pulling your hair into tight ponytails or updo’s
What I love the most about protective styling is that I’m a lazy natural hair girl. (inserts laughter) I personally don’t always have the time in the day to really do my hair the way I want to. From having a super busy schedule , and taking care of a now walking toddler. . . time is not in my favor . I have to plan ahead and come up with witty ways to get my hair day done before tackling anything else on my to-do list.
Here are protective styles that will retain hair growth :
- knotless box braids
- Senegalese twists
- low bun
- twist-outs
- braid outs
- sew-ins
- wig install
- wigs
- crochet braids
Just from the list alone that I provided, I personally always go for a good wig, crochet braids, and a low bun. If I happen to do a high bun , I do be sure to not have my hair so tight in a ponytail . That’s how traction can form. When I do these hairstyles on myself I make note to always keep my scalp oiled and nourished . Nourishing your scalp is incredibly important to see growth of any kind.
Friendly note here ! Remember to always start any style with a clean scalp and hair !