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Hair-care guide

Protective Styles for Natural Hair: Care Before, During, After

TheWashDay editorial · Updated · From the American Academy of Dermatology · How we compare

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A protective style tucks the ends away and cuts down daily handling: braids, twists, buns, cornrows, wigs and some extensions. It helps hair keep length because there is less combing and friction. The risks are tension and neglect: styles that pull, extensions that are too heavy or left in too long, and a scalp that isn’t kept clean.

The steps

  1. Detangle first
  2. Never too tight
  3. Cover it at night
Diagram. Wash and detangle first, have the style put in without pulling at the scalp, and cover it at night. The numbered steps below say the same in full.
  1. Before: wash, deep condition and detangle well, and trim split ends.
  2. Have it put in without pain: if it hurts, it is too tight.
  3. While it’s in: keep the scalp clean and lightly moisturize the lengths you can reach.
  4. Cover it at night with a satin bonnet or scarf.
  5. Take it down gently, detangling with conditioner as you go, and give the hair a break before the next style.

What dermatologists advise

The American Academy of Dermatology suggests lightweight extensions, a salon that specializes in them, wearing weaves or extensions for two or three months at most, keeping the scalp clean, and alternating with other styles. Pain, bumps or hair thinning at the edges are signs to loosen or stop the style.

Breakage

Updated · The sources for this guide are on our Sources page. Report a changed detail.

Your next step

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