What Is a Protective Style? Benefits, Types, and How to Care for Your Hair

A protective style is any hairstyle that protects the ends of your hair, which are the oldest and most fragile part. Protective styles can last anywhere from one week to three months, depending on the style and how well your hair is maintained.Simply put, any hairstyle that hides or tucks away the ends of your hair is considered a protective style.

related article: 9 Rules To Follow When It Comes To Natural Hair Oils

Protective hairstyles help shield your hair from:

• Friction from coats and scarves during winter
• Extreme heat and sun exposure in the summer
• Cotton pillowcases while sleeping
• Sweat and friction if you work out frequently

My Favorite Protective Styles

I wear a protective style about 95% of the time. My go-to protective hairstyles are wigs and micro braids.

I love wigs because they give me easy access to my natural hair. This makes it much easier to moisturize my ends and wash my hair regularly. However, be careful with wigs that come with multiple combs. Those combs can irritate your scalp and, over time, may lead to traction alopecia.

Micro braids are another favorite because I can still moisturize my ends and wash my hair while wearing them. The downside is that micro braids can also cause hair loss if they are installed too tightly, so tension control is key.

Why Protective Styles Are Good for Hair Growth

Protective styles are effective because they allow your hair to rest. Less manipulation and reduced breakage often lead to longer, healthier hair over time.

That said, a protective style only works if you take care of your hair underneath—especially when wearing extensions.

How to Care for Your Hair While Wearing Protective Styles

• Wash your hair regularly. Hair can become extremely dry under extensions if it doesn’t receive moisture.
• Moisturize your scalp and ends as needed, but avoid over-moisturizing, which can cause yeast or scalp issues.
• Use natural oils to grease your scalp when necessary.
• Tighten weaves monthly to avoid excess tension and breakage.
• Do a protein treatment before and after removing extensions, especially if you’ve worn them for two months or longer. Hair tends to be weaker after extended protective styling.

Protective styles can be amazing for hair growth—but only when done correctly and intentionally. Protect the ends, watch the tension, and always prioritize scalp health.