Protective Styles - Are They for You?

Any hairstyle that doesn't brush up against your clothes is a protective style, also called a "No Contact Style." When your hair reaches shoulder length, it's at the most vulnerable point. Without the use of protective styles throughout the week, the ends of the hair will continue to rub back and forth across cotton shirts and blouses causing severe splitting damage and breakage. Since your hair will be making contact with your clothes, this is the time to wear your hair off the shoulders. When you leave your hair out in the open air every day, the ends will soon dry out. If this is allowed to continue over the course of weeks or months length potential may never be seen. When the hair grows at least 3-4 inches past the shoulders, it is not so vulnerable to break. The ends of your hair will not be sweeping against your clothing but will be lying on your clothing. This is less friction against your hair. Undeniably, there are still many women with shoulder length hair that won't seem to grow past that. Protective styles are a great way to push the hair past this growth plateau. Although, there are many women who can grow their hair to great lengths without ever resorting to protective styles-for many of us, protective styling is a very effective hair growing and retention tool. The ideal protective style is one that has been achieved without heat. Reducing the amount of heat in your regimen is critical to the success of your growing out journey. Hair that is heat styled less tends to thicker, fuller, and healthier. Protective styling for relaxed heads is the optimal styling choice for maximum retention.

Scalp Stimulation and Hair Growth

“Scalp-stimulating” massages are a crucial part of your healthy hair regimen. Massages should be done daily to improve circulation, help nourish the scalp and keep the skin loose, which allows the blood to flow easily to the roots of the hair.

How to Do a Proper Scalp Massage :

Place all ten fingertips firmly on your head. Arch your hands and make sure the palms aren’t touching the scalp. Remember, only the pads of the fingers should be pressing against the scalp. Stay in this arched position and “scrunch” the scalp by drawing your fingers together. Hold for 5 to 10 seconds and then spread the fingers apart. Imagine flexing and unflexing the fingers, while the fingertips are resting on the scalp. Repeat this technique at different positions on the scalp; moving from front to back, then back to front.

After massaging, your scalp will feel tingly and refreshed. After you’ve gotten the hang of it, you might try adding essential oils or herb-infused oils to your daily massage. Regular massages with nutrient-rich oils can do wonders for abused hair that needs a bit of life and shine and to leave it silky smooth. Try the following scalp-stimulating oil mix with your next massage.

• 1Tbsp./10 ml Coconut oil
• 1 Tbsp./10 ml Almond oil
• 1Tbsp./10 ml Evening primrose oil
• 1Tbsp./10 ml Jojoba oil
• 5 drops Rosemary oil
• 5 drops Chamomile Roman oil
• 5 drops lavender oil
• 5 drops peppermint or tea tree oil

Learn more healthy hair care tips.