What are Protective Hairstyles and Why are They Good for You?

Much like the rest of your body, sometimes your hair also needs a break. From heating tools, to styling products, and even something as seemingly harmless as a simple change in weather, your hair’s health can easily be compromised. This is especially the case for textured hair when being worn naturally. Luckily for you, there are protective hairstyles that not only make sure your hair stays in top shape but let you do so while looking mighty cute too!

What are Protective Hairstyles?

Hair care is not limited to only using certain products to preserve the integrity of your hair. At the most basic level, maintaining the health of your hair can start by wearing your hair in ways that limit damage caused by exposure to sun, the heat, the cold, or over manipulation. This is where protective hairstyles come into play; protective hairstyles for natural hair are ways to fashion your hair such that your hair is tucked away and shielded without using any heat in the process.

This is most specifically beneficial for the ends of your hair—the most fragile part—as they are the oldest and have, as a result, been exposed to the most amount of damage.

In addition to protective hairstyles, check out our guide on how to take care of fragile and weak hair.

What Hairstyles are Protective?

The good thing about rocking protective hairstyles for curly hair is that you have many to choose from, including: box braids, cornrows, faux locs, Marley twists, and up dos.

In the textured hair community, there is some debate as to what exactly is deemed protective but, as a rule of thumb, a hairstyle can be considered protective so long as it conceals the ends, without relying on any form of heat, to ultimately promote hair growth. So, whether that means wearing a bun or a twisted side updo, if the goal is to protect your hair from everyday damage and friction to facilitate hair growth in the long run, then that, by definition, is a protective hairstyle.

Which is the Best Protective Hairstyle?

Simply put, there is no single best protective hairstyle because it all depends on what aesthetically pleases you the most. However, it must be noted that some do require a little more maintenance than others.

Box braids, for instance, tend to be a go-to for most women with textured hair as this style is super low maintenance and can be worn for a longer duration than something like a twist.

No matter the protective hairstyle you choose to wear, reinforce the defense with the Whole Blends 10-in-1 Miracle Nectar Leave-in Treatment.

Do Protective Hairstyles Help Hair Grow?

Protective hairstyles contribute in promoting hair growth because by protecting your hair, you allow it to preserve and regenerate itself. This even applies to simple and easy protective hairstyles such as unbraided updos, ponytails, and low buns.

For optimal hair growth, try the Garnier Fructis Grow Strong 10-In-1 Leave-In Treatment.

What are Some Protective Hairstyles you can Wear While Being Active?

Your hair’s integrity should not come at the expense of working up a sweat. This is why it’s a good idea to protect your hair even when working out. Whether out on a run under the blazing sun or getting your grind on at the gym, cornrows, twists, and shoulder length braids will be your best friend!

To tame your mane while being active, reach for the Whole Blends Miracle Frizz Tamer 10-In-1 Coconut Oil & Cocoa Butter Leave-In Treatment.

What are Protective Hairstyles That you can Wear While Sleeping?

Shielding your hair while you sleep is especially crucial to avoid breakage and split ends. This is where protective hairstyles for sleeping come in handy; to avoid damage that comes from tossing and turning at night resulting in matted and tangled hair, simply put your hair in a loose braid and voilà! Also consider sleeping with a silk or satin bonnet, and using a satin pillowcase helps protect hair from friction.

Other cute protective hairstyles that you can wear while you sleep include but are not limited to: twisted top buns, twisted rope braids and braided updos.

Check out one of our favorite protective hairstyles for sleeping, the pineapple hair technique, ideal for curly hair.

What are Protective Hairstyles and Why are They Good for You?