21 Sep 5 Ways to Make Your Protective Style Last

There is no feeling quite like the first week after getting a new protective style. It’s a new kind of confidence that you want to hold on to, but what if you could maintain that freshly done look? While the recommendation for a protective style is about two weeks, it is possible to extend the life of your new ‘do, and to bring new life back to your hair when it starts looking a little worn. So here are some ways to maintain a fresh out of the chair look:

1. Always communicate to your stylist that you prefer the edges not be tight. This area is the most sensitive in a protective style. The tension of the braided foundation and the weight of the added hair pulling on your edges, makes them more likely to break.
2. Shampoo it regularly, but not vigorously. As mentioned in my previous post, women should be shampooing their hair every 7 days, and maybe even more frequently depending on your lifestyle. With a protective style try to cleanse more gently to avoid unnecessary frizzing. If you frequently oil your scalp, you may need to consider shampooing more frequently, as oil attracts dirt. After shampooing it, let it air dry throughout the day. Going to sleep on a wet head of hair, especially weave, does not let it dry properly. It can also leave the hair with a slight mildew smell….and we know what that means!   
3. Refrain from wearing the same style constantly. Putting it up in ponytails and buns repeatedly can put more of a strain on your edges and encourage breakage. Switch it up every few days or so, wearing it down, then up. Anything to vary the amount of stress on different areas of your hair.
4. After cleansing, moisturize your scalp regularly. With your hair staying in place for so long, there is a higher chance of dryness and dandruff build up. That dry, dead skin can be alleviated with a moisture regiment. While we do create our own natural oils, be sure to assess your hair and scalp regularly for dryness, sometimes we need more moisture, sometimes more strengthening, and sometimes we can be overdoing it.
5. Wrap your hair at night. There are so many options for wrapping your hair before bed, however, the best protection for your hair is with silk/satin headwear and pillowcases. The smooth surface reduces friction between your hair and the pillow, thus preventing breakage, frizzing, and excessive scalp dryness. Wrapping your hair is a surefire way to wake up with your hair looking in tact the next morning.

These are general guides to caring for protective styles whether they include weave or not (yes, protective styles without weave exist!) In general, do not leave one style in for more than two months as this excessive wear can lead to matting and dreading. If you are looking into getting a protective style this season, keep these tips in mind so that you can serve your best looks from start to finish.