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| see how Lisa installed these kinky twists! |
While many of us know what a protective style is, a majority of us have probably never heard of the term destructive style. This is because I recently came up with it! Though ‘destructive style’ may sound foreign to you, the actual practice of the word is very common.
In last week’s post, I wrote about the 5Ws and 1H of protective styling. Though protective styling can be very good for the overall health of our hair, like every other good thing in life, sometimes too much of it or the inappropriate use of it, can be very bad for us.
Read On!>>>
As braids, wigs and weaves seem to be the style of choice for many when protective styling, I have taken it upon myself to shed some light on the good and the bad side of these styles. I’ve seen that it’s common that they get mixed review- effective at promoting healthy hair growth in some while effectively setting other women all the way back.
When are these styles protective?
– When installed loosely (too tight and you risk traction alopecia and the like)
– When your real hair is moisturized and nourished while hidden away- the adage, ‘out of sight, out of mind’, doesn’t work here.
– When the braids/twists aren’t too tiny and not heavy
– When the wig isn’t so tight that it pulls on and stresses your edges when you put it on and take it off at night
– When the weave isn’t sewn (and definitely not glued) directly into your hair. You should opt for a stocking cap instead, cornrowing your real hair.
When are they destructive?
– See above… pretty much the opposite of that.
– When these styles are used as a crutch in that you choose to wear weaves because you don’t know how to handle your hair and don’t feel like learning.
– When these styles are done not only to protect your hair but to put it away so you can “forget” about it for the next 4 months.
– When the style is left in way too long
