“It's a protective hairstyle... because, when having box braids, you're not putting heat to your hair or styling every day, which over time causes damage.” Sargent explains how this gives your hair time to rest and focus on that amazing growth. “This protective style also helps alleviate breakage.
There's a reason box braids are one of the most popular protective styles—they're easy to maintain, yes, but they're also super versatile, meaning they don't have to be boring.
Protective styling gives the ends of our hair a break from nasty weather conditions. These styles tuck away our delicate ends and usually group the strands together. This gives them “safety in numbers” says Audrey Davis-Sivasothy, the author of The Science of Black Hair: A Comprehensive Guide to Textured Hair Care.
#1: No Hair Loss and Breakage
Since the knotless extensions are being “fed” into your braids, the tension is significantly lower on your natural hair. Not only will your hair and scalp thank you, when it's time to take out your braids, you shouldn't have to worry about an excessive amount of shedding and breakage.
Keeping your hair in braids reduces friction between your hair and pillow, reducing hair breakage. Amp it up, and get silk pillowcases for even less friction! It also keeps your hair tamed and more structured, resulting in less snarls and frustrating tangles when you wake up in the morning.
Protective styles keep the ends of hair tucked away in order to discourage tugging, pulling, and manipulation. They are also meant to encourage hair growth and can save so much time since the entire idea is to touch the hair as little as possible.
5. Ponytails and braids -- "Ponytails and braids can cause hair to break, especially if your style is pulled tightly," Mirmirani says. "If you wear it that way every day, permanent hair damage can occur." Braiding or putting your hair in a ponytail when it's wet can cause damage sooner because wet hair is more fragile.
Braids have become particularly popular in the natural hair community due to claims that they can grow your hair. In reality, braids don't make your hair grow, they assist with length retention. Each time you style, detangle or manipulate your hair in any way, there's a risk of breakage.
You can get your braids wet in the shower, pool, and when it's raining. However, we do recommend taking certain precautions to protect your braids from fungal growth, hair damage, frizz, and unraveling.
Box braids originate in South Africa and can be traced back to 3500 B.C. This style, then and into the present day, takes up to eight hours to create. Many believed if a woman was able to afford the time and cost of these braids, she was a woman of wealth.
Protective hairstyles is a term used to refer to such styles as braids, weaves, twists, locs and wigs that keep one's hair free from manipulation. — Submitted photo. Styles like braids place tension on the hair and its roots.
Not only can a protective style help hair to grow, but it also protects hair from damage and helps it to maintain hydration. Beyond the hair health benefits it can provide, protective styles are also fun to wear and can save you a lot of time on your hair routine.
Box braids can damage Caucasian hair, just like they can damage any other type of hair. The braids require you or a stylist to braid extension hair with your natural hair using tension (to ensure the braids won't slip or unravel).
Jennifer Vanel: Box braids are great for a person who wants a low-maintenance easy hairstyle. Anyone with any texture can have box braids as long as their hair is long enough to create a braid. But this service requires time, so be prepared to sit for a few hours or more!
Goddess braids are essentially thicker cornrows. They're bigger in size and raised higher, and are also braided closely to your scalp. They can be styled in so many ways for every occasion; you can go from the gym straight to work, then out to drinks, all while protecting your hair and looking superchic.
Use a Silk Pillowcase
Silk pillowcases decrease friction against your braids at night and won't dry out your hair. Plus, these pillowcases protect your hair in case your bonnet or scarf comes off while sleeping. A satin pillowcase is also fine, although I would avoid using a cotton pillowcase.
When installed correctly, they encase your natural hair within and won't slip out. What's more, box braids won't likely get frizzy after coming in contact with the water (again, if they were installed correctly). So, you can usually wear box braids and swim without any issues.
The answer is yes, when your braided hair gets loose it's normally a sign of growth and length-retention, there's a caveat though. Only when braids are installed and treated right, loosening braids after three weeks or more often means hair growth.
Protective, looser twists promote healthy hair, allowing for more hair growth. Versatile. Two-strand twists are incredibly versatile! The thickness of the twists can range in size from thin micro-twists to thicker chunky-twists and can be done on any length of hair over 2 inches in length.
A common misconception is that it's also super-painful, which might be true if you're either really sensitive or it's your first time getting the style done. Williams says that while yes, the braiding may cause some discomfort, if it starts to become unbearable that means the braids are too tight.
It's best to leave hair down while sleeping if possible because this reduces the number of tangles that occur during rest time. If you want to wear your hair down while you sleep, avoid rubbing it against the pillow while you're asleep.
What is a Protective Hair Style? Protective styles are a massive category! The simplest definition of a protective style is any hairstyle that will protect your hair from physical, chemical, or environmental damage. Remember, curly hair is very fragile and prone to breakage if it's put under too much stress.