What you should do before installing a protective style to prevent breakage
Part 2
The first part of this post explains how to get longer hair using protective styles.
Specifically, it highlighted what a protective style is and the guidelines for choosing and installing a hairstyle. If you missed it here is the link.
If you are still experiencing breakage even after installing your hairstyles correctly, then you need to read this till the end.
In this post, you’ll find out what to do to remedy your situation and start retaining length like you are meant to.
One of the things I’ve learned during my 5 years of being natural is not to install hairstyles on dirty hair.
A dirty scalp cannot produce healthy strong strands that won’t break.
Dirty scalp = unhealthy strands that will break.
Please wash your hair before installing your styles.
Nooo! I’m not talking about shampoo, condition then enter dryer.
I’m talking about the right way to properly wash your hair. Let’s get into it.
- Detangle properly: Whether you are on relaxed hair or natural hair, you need to detangle. It is one of the most important steps of washing your hair.
Detangling before shampooing reduces the chances of your hair getting tangled while shampooing. It prevents breakage. You are not meant to just rush in to shampoo after loosening your hair.
You are meant to remove all the shed hair that can cause knots and tangles. Having knots and tangles means your hair will break if the situation is not taken care of properly.
It makes your wash process much easier. Imagine being able to run your hands through your relaxed or natural hair without obstruction somewhere.
Detangling can be really stressful so make sure you are mentally prepared. Don’t be in a hurry. Impatience will cause breakage. If you are too tired to detangle, don’t do it.
Now, there is a proper way to detangle. Don’t go yanking your hair with a rat tail comb from the roots. Click on the link below to find out how to Detangle
2. Shampoo properly: This is essential for healthy hair growth from the scalp.
When your scalp and/or hair is clogged, the products you apply to it will not penetrate. You are simply wasting your products.
This is one of the reasons you shouldn’t wait for your scalp to itch before you wash.
Your hair might not be responding to treatments because you don’t shampoo properly.
Yes! There is a right way to shampoo and a wrong way to shampoo.
It goes beyond pouring shampoo on your hair.
Wait o, are you even suppose to put the shampoo on your hair or on the scalp?
Click on the link below to find out how to shampoo properly👇🏽
3. Ayurvedic mask for your scalp: As someone with an itchy scalp, I take this extra step right after shampooing. It helps me go weeks without an itchy scalp.
I recommend you try out Ayurvedic herbs if you have been searching for a cure to your scalp issues. If you don’t have scalp issues then you can skip this.
4. Deep Condition: Make sure you deep condition before installing a new protective style. If you are already experiencing breakage, this is extra important.
Please do this on clean hair. 😏 It is useless to deep condition on dirty hair.
When your cuticles are clogged with dirt, deep conditioner cannot penetrate your cuticles to repair or moisturize your strands.
It is just sitting on your hair. And it is a waste of your precious deep conditioner.
Deep conditioning is what prevents breakage and stops breakage. It is part of what keeps your hair healthy.
While deep conditioning there are rules, like do not apply on the scalp, do not exceed 30 mins, apply in sections, use a heat cap,etc. Click on the link below to find out the rules of Deep conditioning properly👇🏽
5. Moisturize properly: After rinsing off your deep conditioner, the next step is to moisturize properly. Products you need are
L- Liquid (water and/or leave-in)
C- cream
O- oil
You can use the LOC or the LCO methods or any method that works for you. Moisture is essential to prevent breakage, keep your hair soft and ensure length retention.
Rubbing the cream on just the surface of the hair is wrong. It’s also wrong to put it on your scalp. So how are supposed to do? Click on the link below to find out how to moisturize properly👇🏽
Key Points
Endeavour to do the above in sections to prevent tangles.
These steps are super important if you intend to carry your PS for 3-4weeks or if you have a busy schedule and cannot cater for the hair while in the PS.
The next part of this post will address how to take care of your hair while in a protective style.
Get ready to find out that rule every natural follows but I break because I’m Linda Hanson.
To get notified when the next part is out, click on the follow button here
See ya!
