Protective Styles for Black Hair : How to Keep Hair from Breaking
Deep Condition- Deep conditioning is important to restoring the hair's appearance, texture, and moisture. Try deep conditioning the hair for at least 30 minutes, once a week.
Hair Steaming- Hair steaming is a process that uses steam to open up the cuticle of your hair. This will allow deeper penetration; leaving the hair soft and manageable.
Protein Treatments- Protein Treatments are necessary to help restore the structure and strength of the hair. Hair is composed of nearly 88% protein. When hair is chemically straightened, these bonds are broken, and causes the hair to lose its strength. It is important to replace the protein to avoid hair breakage.
Section Shampoo Method- Utilizing a moisturizing shampoo to shampoo the hair in sections provides more control over the process. Working in smaller sections can reduce tangles and decrease hair loss.
Dry Styling- Dry styling aids in preventing curls from coiling around each other creating more tangles resulting in breakage. (bantu knots, twist outs, braid outs)
Leave in conditioner- Using a leave in conditioner will improve the detangling process and is essential to maintaining the hair's moisture level for a longer period of time.
Hands off- Although it's difficult not to play with our hair, try to reduce the amount of time you spend twisting and twirling your strands. Unnecessary manipulation can lead to breakage!
Little or no heat- Minimizing the heat exposure to your hair will prevent irreversible damage and changes in your curl pattern.