Valentin Bosioc
When spring approaches, there is a high chance that you are probably thinking of getting box or crochet braids in preparation for the season ahead. Well, it is a good idea. However, whichever option you choose to go with, keep in mind that protective styles shouldn’t be your excuse to neglect hair care for the next two months. The hair care tips outlined below will help you keep up the good work of taking care of your beautiful hair even when it’s tucked in kinky twists.
- Deep Condition
Haircare with a protective hairstyle starts even before you get it done. Make sure you wash your hair properly and then deep condition it using a high-performance leave-in conditioner like the Bamboo and coconut milk strengthening leave-in conditioner.
This is essential because your hair will be tucked away for a few weeks and will need moisture to stay healthy within that period.
- Don’t Hold on to Split Ends
It’s easy to want to hold on to split ends before getting your protective style because you don’t want to lose the length. Also, you may do so because you think they’ll become healthy by the time you are undoing the style. However, the chances of the split end causing the shaft to split even more and damage the entire strand are pretty high. Therefore, trim those ends before you get that weave done.
- Tell Your Stylist to go Easy
A protective style is supposed to help you take care of your hair with little to no manipulation, without causing breakage or pulling out the edges. Tell your stylist to go easy if he is pulling too tightly. Using too much tension while braiding will only weaken healthy hair strands and pull out the edges. Plus, it hurts your scalp and makes it impossible for you to sleep comfortably for the next few days.
- Shampoo and Cleanse Your Scalp Regularly
You want to keep your hair and scalp clean even when rocking protective styles. This will prevent dandruff and get rid of dry flakes that build up on your scalp over the next four to six weeks.
However, don’t use a conditioner as its silky nature tends to loosen the braid. This is why it is advisable to deep condition your hair before getting your hair done. For this, mix your shampoo with a little water and apply it directly to the scalp using an applicator bottle. Massage and then do the same with warm water and rinse.
There are times when your scalp will get itchy. Avoid scratching it as this will wear out your protective style fast. Instead, get an anti-itch hair serum to ease the itchiness.
- Moisturize! Moisturize! Moisturize!
Moisturize, and this can’t be emphasized enough; keep your hair and scalp hydrated. Why? Well, a dry scalp leads to hair breakage and thinning. Also, your hair becomes more susceptible to breakage when it is dry. Therefore, try and moisturize regularly. Use a moisturizing shampoo and regimen care for braids. If your protective style of choice is a weave, make sure you get a product under weave care.
- Cover Your Braids Before You Hit the Bed
Regardless of how tired you may be, make sure you cover your hair using a silk scarf before you sleep. This will prolong the lifeline of your protective hairstyle.
Now you’ve no excuse to neglect your hair because you have that weave on or those beautiful box braids. However, whichever style you opt for, make sure you get quality products for protective styles.
