Summer officially starts this this month, but we’ve been hitting high 90’s several places in the country, so it’s been hot! Scores of women are considering going natural (awesome!) and even more are thinking about rocking some summer protective hairstyles as their look of choice as well.
Summer protective hairstyles are lovely, have a multitude of options to choose from and going to be popular for many reasons. From just not wanting to do your hair everyday to just looking for something new to do with your ‘do; black women are choosing protection this summer for their tresses and I’m here for it!
Summer protective hairstyles can be pricey but they also can be harmful if not done correctly or if you neglect your hair while wearing one. There is a lot going on right now in 2020, ( I don’t have to tell you!), so we just want to make sure that your hair is the last thing you need to worry about as you go about pretesting and staying safe.
Hot Summer Head Wraps For Perfect Natural Hair
I’ve got a list of ways to ensure your style will last, not harm your strands and allow you to have a carefree summer all at the same time when it comes to your hair.
Fully Detangle BEFORE getting summer protective hairstyles
Make it easier on yourself as well as the installer of your style. Nothing worse than adding more time to the protective hairstyle than dealing with detangling. For one, most installer are NOT going to be as careful with your strands as you are. Many will also blast your hair with heat and comb through your hair with a vengeance and not even use a heat protection! I now this from experience.
Fashionsta Beauty Platform Launches With Top Beauty Influencers
Ask your installer EXACTLY how they want your hair to be prior to installing your style so that you can be prepared and have the hair ready for them to start. Save yourself some time and save yourself from having them to manhandle your strands. Learn from my mistakes! Also, speak up if they are being too rough with your hair. Never allow anyone to cause you damage.
Don’t allow the stylist to be make your summer protective hairstyles too tight!
Tight summer protective hairstyles might last a little bit longer than less tight ones, but you could be creating breakage with lost edges and/or bald spots. No style is worth all that damage that can occur EVEN if you feel it has loosened up over time.
@danishrolls
Don’t neglect your scalp and hair while in summer protective hairstyles
Please remember that your hair still needs to be cleaned, moisturized and your scalp still needs attention. Far too often, women think “leave it and forget it” when it comes to wearing a protective style and that is the fastest way to cause damage to your scalp and hair. Find out exactly what is needed to maintain the style, how often to wash, oil your scalp and when to take it down.
NATURAL HAIR HELP FOR WOMEN WHO WANT TO GO NATURAL
Basically, do some research before you get the style to ensure you know what to do and how to keep your hair in excellent health while wearing it.
Protect your hair at night
This should be a no-brainer, but I will say it anyway. Protect your hair at night with a satin pillowcase, bonnet or scarf nightly. These items will not only keep your own hair protected but will help to keep your protective style smooth and frizz free. That allows the style to look fresher and to last longer. What you choose is up to you, but ask the installer to see what they prefer and what will allow for the style to last as long as possible.
Use a refresher to protect your hair and scalp
A winning combo in a spray bottle will always be: Water, light oil and a great leave-in. These three together can refresh and/or moisturize your hair and scalp while also adding protection. Avocado oil is a great natural oil with some SPF protection that would be great to add to your spray bottle. Spritz routinely on scalp and hair and massage to ensure it is working it’s magic and blocking those potent UV rays.
One of my favorite concoction is distilled water, a few drops of Avocado oil and some splashes of Kinky Curly Knot Today in one of my spray bottles. Trial and error will be your guide and I honestly believe those work better than some over the counter refreshers since you can pick your own products to mix.
Never leave the style in longer than you are supposed to.
Cannot stress this tip enough. I know it may have cost a lot of money to get it installed, or maybe you are just too tired to take it down or out. Whatever your plight, suck it up an take it out when you are supposed to. Keeping styles in too long can cause damage as well and may even create locking of hair and knots. Also, remember to take your time when taking it out or down to minimize the breakage and know that you will see a lot of hair come out as well. We shed about 100 hairs daily and if your hair is in a protective style, those shed hair have no where to go so don’t freak out with all the hair that comes down with the install.
Deep Condition, Protein Treatment or some other treatment should be done right after the take down
Time to pamper your hair. It’s been tied up for days, weeks or even months, so make sure to moisturize and/or strengthen when you finally have it all down. You most likely did not do a DC or protein treatment when it was in the protective style so this is the time to do it. Make sure to do the DC with heat and really allow those great ingredients to get well into the hair shaft since it hasn’t had the opportunity when your hair was in the protective style.
Give your hair a break in between summer protective hairstyles
I used to make the mistake of going from one protective hairstyle to the next with only a couple of days rest. My edges suffered as a result! The longer the protective hairstyle, the longer the time in between installs. Two weeks is best for those longer ones, but even a few days or a week will allow your hair and edges to properly rest. Not wanting your hair out while you wait? Rock a beautiful head wrap to tide you over. There are plenty of ways to keep it still fun and fashionable in between installs.
This list is kinda long, but important to maintain healthy hair while you wear those amazing summer protective hairstyles. Stay safe, keep hair protected and healthy and look fab all at the same time. Share below which styles you are thinking about getting!
Sabrina
