HOW TO MOISTURIZE & CLEAN PROTECTIVE HAIRSTYLES
How to moisturize and cleanse hair while wearing protective and low manipulation hairstyles.
This video explains the difference between a protective style and a low manipulation hairstyle with picture examples of both. It also gives examples of ways to safely moisturize protective styles without causing too much frizz. At the end I provide three different ways of how to cleanse your scalp and hair while wearing protective hairstyles like braids, locs, and twists.
LENGTH RETENTION
If done safely, protective styles can offer the ultimate protection for the ends of your hair. In these kinds of styles, the ends of your hair are tucked away or covered as to prevent exposure to manipulation and environmental damage. They’re also a great way to take a break from your hair while promoting length retention.
MOISTURIZING PRODUCTS & TOOLS
PROTECTIVE HAIRSTYLE EXAMPLES
WHY IS PROTECTIVE STYLING IMPORTANT?
In my last video on how to grow type 4 hair, I mentioned protecting the ends of your hair. Your ends are the oldest and usually the most fragile part of your hair. This is where split ends begin and porosity of the hair is highest. Also, most type 4 hair grows up and out before it gets long enough to hang down. This means our hair and ends are closest to the sun and, therefore, the first barrier of protection against the sun and environmental damage.
Also, if your goal is length retention, protective styles are a great way to take a break from your hair while promoting length retention.
LOW MANIPULATION HAIRSTYLES
Hairstyles that don’t necessarily tuck the ends of your hair away, but discourage a person from touching their hair too much.
Examples of Low Manipulation hairstyles:
BOTH ARE VALUABLE
Protective hairstyles usually take the most manipulation to install, but once done, have the most longevity. They virtually have no further manipulation until it’s time to uninstall.
Low manipulation hairstyles typically are easier to install, but require some maintenance on a weekly or daily basis.
Important Note
It’s really important that protective styles are installed correctly. If your braids are too tight, hair added is too heavy, or the style requires excessive manipulation that your hair can’t handle, it may be best to skip protective styling all together and do simple low manipulation styles instead.
EASY WAYS TO MOISTURIZE PROTECTIVE HAIRSTYLES
STEAM
Shower steam is the most accessible way to hydrate hair. It doesn’t disrupt the hairstyle and doesn’t add so much water that it won’t dry quickly. This option is best for an updo.
Face steamers and hair humidifiers are also options for moisturizing the hair. The direct flow of heat to the hair could prove to be more effective. Just be cautious! Wet hair is fragile, so it’s best to monitor the hair water intake, especially with styles that put extra weight on strands. For example; boxed braids with extensions.
MOISTURE MIX MIST
- Water
- Leave-in
- Light oil
Mix in whatever ratio makes sense for you hair. Personally, my mix has a majority of water, some leave-in, and a little bit of oil.
NOTE: Bacteria can grow in these bottles so clean them out every few days.
WAYS TO CLEAN THE SCALP
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR SPRITZ
- 1 part ACV
- 3-4 parts water
Among other amazing benefits, ACV has anti-bacterial and anti fungal properties that can help with itching and buildup.
Apply the mixture using a spray bottle or cotton pad directly to the scalp. Q-tips can be used in small parted areas if a spray bottle is too abrasive. This is one reason I prefer hair misters over spray bottles.
Afterwards, lightly rise the scalp. If you don’t rinse, you may experience an itchy scalp.
DILUTED SHAMPOO
Put a small amount of shampoo in a spray or applicator bottle filled with water and gently pour onto scalp.
I recommend this option for braided styles that can handle a bit more water contact. Completely dry your hair before sleeping on it. Also, take into account the risk of possible breakage from added water weight.
DRY SHAMPOO
This can be an option if you can find one that works well for you. I’ll include some below that are highly recommended and are said to not have a white residue.
SUBSCRIBER RECOMMENDED DRY SHAMPOO
NEXT: HOW TO KEEP TYPE 4 HAIR MOISTURIZED ALL WEEK
IN CLOSING
Moisturizing hair while wearing protective styles doesn’t have to be difficult or complicated. As long as you pay attention to what your scalp needs, you should be fine. Low manipulation hairstyles can be the key to reaching long lengths of hair, so it’s definitely worth a shot at trying if you haven’t tried already.
Check my Youtube natural hairstyles playlist for more tutorials. I’ve also got a youtube tab here on the navigation bar at the top of this page where you can see all of my videos that upload every thursday. Subscribe to my newsletter, so you don’t miss any of my content. See ya in your inbox soon!
