Protective Hair Styles Tips for Natural Black Hair

A protective style is any hairstyle that does not leave the ends of the hair exposed. Constant friction from clothing and furniture can gradually eat away at the ends of the hair. Special attention has to be given to the ends of the hair. These strands are the oldest and the most fragile. Here are some tips to grow your hair long with two strand twist.

There are many natural hair websites and informative books that have chapters devoted to protective styling. Moving from neck length to shoulder length or bra strap length to mid back length is a challenge for many people. Breaking past what may have been a maximum length in the past requires taking a different approach.

Keeping the hair up and the ends oiled is one way to retain length. Wearing the hair in two strand twists is an investment of time. The longer Afro textured hair becomes, the longer it takes to style. Expect to spend one to six hours washing, conditioning, and twisting the hair. This time frame depends on how long the hair is and how large the twists are.

Two Strand Twist

Larger twists can save time and look elegant in an up do. Braid the two strand twists using hair pins or hair sticks. Wooden hair sticks help to keep the hair firmly in place. Many women have extremely thick hair that does not work well with plastic hair sticks. These plastic hair sticks in beauty supply stores are usually extremely inexpensive, but do not work well after the hair grows out a few inches. Higher quality wood or jade hair sticks may have to be ordered online or found in local specialty shops.

Two strand twists that are short can be flat twisted or corn rowed into an up do. Be creative and think of styles that leave some hair out for bangs. A side bang can be tucked under, pin curled, or left to hang free.

Leaving the hair twisted for at least two weeks can help prevent breakage from manipulating the hair. It is possible to leave two strand twists in for three to four weeks without worrying about the hair starting to lock.

The scalp can be cleansed with sea breeze in between washes. Some hair types can wash two strand twists without the hair becoming tangled and creating knots. Those with kinkier hair textures may find that after washing two strand twists they experience an abundance of knots when it is time to detangle the hair. Kinky hair retains more length if is detangled and washed in large braids.

Use a daily moisturizing spritz to keep the hair from drying out. Take the hair down a few times a week to lightly oil the ends of the hair and scalp as needed.

Sources:

"Grow It: How To Grow Afro-Textured Hair To Maximum Lengths In The Shortest Time"