A protective hairstyle tucks away your hair and guards it from damage and breakage due to manipulation and from the elements. Protective styling is often done on natural hair to limit the stress of environmental factors on natural hair.

Protective hairstyles include:
• Short twists
• Cornrows
• Dreads
• Bantu knots
• Braids, etc.

Protective hairstyles can last from one week to two months, depending on the type and how you care for them. Once you get a protective style of choice done, you want to keep it looking fresh as long as possible to get the most out of your money. Here are a few ways you can do that:

GO TO A PROFESSIONAL

Getting a professional’s touch when getting protective styles done is the first step. A professional will ensure that your protective styles are done neatly without damaging your hair in the process. Only a neatly and properly done style will last for longer even with minimal maintenance. A professional is also more likely to give you a tip or two on how to maintain your hair so it can last as long as you desire.

INVEST IN A SATIN OR SILK PILLOWCASE AND HAIR COVERS

This is a key part of keeping your protective style fresh. Sleeping with hair covers like bonnets, turbans and scarves on will help prevent friction while you sleep; therefore reducing the amount of frizz, you wake up with. It also reduces occurrence of split ends. Satin/silk pillowcases prevent friction when you do not cover your hair because your hair will glide smooth over the pillowcase without creating frizz.

OPT FOR SPRAY BOTTLE PRODUCTS

To avoid having to massage your hair with your hands all the time, opt for using products that come in spray bottles during the time you carry your hair. You can mix water and any oil of your choice; this is a cheaper way to get moisture into your hair without having to massage your hair with your hands all the time.

TREAT YOUR SCALP REGULARLY

It is advisable to oil and moisturize your scalp as often a possible. Treat it as well by applying anti-dandruff products occasionally.

AVOID OVER-WASHING YOUR HAIR

Washing your hair too much could cause your hair to loosen up and frizz because of manipulation involved in shampooing and conditioning your hair. When washing, try to focus on the scalp area mostly as opposed to getting your whole hair wet.

Article credit : Cocci Beauty