Best Retention Method

[Toy]

For me the Best Retention Method is bunning.

 

[mimi]

Since my BC 1 year and 5 months ago I've been doing mainly twist/braids, and occasional twistouts/braidouts. However, recently I've been wearing my hair in braids styled into a bun. I usually leave the braids in for a month then cowash and deep condition them every week. I take the bun down every morning and jump in the shower to let my hair catch the mist without wetting it directly. Once I'm out of the shower I spritz my hair with my homemade spritz and seal with shea butter mixed with coconut oil. Then its back in the bun till the next morning. This method helps me to not pull at my braids or snap off ssk's on my ends.

 

[QUEENJAMES231]

i like wigs for my hair, b/c i can't seem to keep my hands out of my hair, they allow me to keeep up with moisturizing and sealing, and also with my washes and dc. I am lazy so wigs make life easy for me, but once my hair is long enough for a respectable bun i will probably make the switch b/c buns are free and wigs can add up lol...

 

[LaidBak]

Bunning worries me because of the breakage at the point of the scrunchie. But I guess that is solved by moving the scrunchie around? How often should you move the bun? Every week? Every day?

Bunning has been best method for me.
My hair used to break off at the point of the scrunchie and I was just wearing ponytails. But that was PRE LHCF. My hair is now much stronger. So if you are getting breakage from a soft scrunchie that might need to be addressed in another way.
What I did was use a claw clip to attach a fake bun. I got no breakage from that. I have also made buns with concorde clips. Those are just some options you can use until your hair gets stronger.

 

[Jewell]

For me, the best retention method has been bunning. I've never gotten breakage at the point of the elastic or scrunchie, as I make sure to moisturize there, and loosen or take down the bun overnight to relieve stress on my hair and edges. I have also had great retention with wigs and using draw-string ponytails (I'd put my hair in a bun underneath and baggy).

But, the bun has been my go-to for many years now to keep those ends in check! Nowadays since I'm so far into transition, I'm doing the LF's with hair braided underneath. That's working as well, if not better than the buns, and I don't have to really worry about my edges (I don't use adhesive to keep LF in place). Since it's too damn hot here in summer to be wearing a wig, I'm doing braided/twisted extensions or buns/draw-strings in summer!

 

[lovenharmony]

Bunning for myself

 

[Ivonnovi]

I really can't speak for anyone else but I've retained the most growth braiding in box braids or twists with extensions. I've learned that the slight tension caused by the extensions causes the hair to grow more rapidly. That has always been the best method for me.

regarding the bold: I beg to differ, that slight traction has often lead to "tracion alopecia" thinning of the hairs or baldness. Again, it's the ends that you maintian that will allow you to see the growth results.

Bunning worries me because of the breakage at the point of the scrunchie. But I guess that is solved by moving the scrunchie around? How often should you move the bun? Every week? Every day?

If breakage is a concern try using the Nylon bands made from the top of Kneehighs. These are comfortable, long lasting, and have saved me a lot of breakage. (Combat Zone Tested!)

 

[LaidBak]

regarding the bold: I beg to differ, that slight traction has often lead to "tracion alopecia" thinning of the hairs or baldness. Again, it's the ends that you maintian that will allow you to see the growth results.

Ooohh AMEN to that!! Pulling on the hair does NOT make it grow faster. It makes it thin. My edges are proof of that.

 

[supermodelsonya]

Weaves work for me. No thinning at all. My edges are fine as well.

Protein treatments are key and don't relax your hair in between installs, especially if you were full sew ins. There is no point. If you wear partial sew ins, buy hair that is close to your hair texture so that you don't have to use heat on your leaveout.

I moisturize and do lots of protein treatments when I'm out of my weave.

 

[ebonimama]

I voted for bunning, but half wigs work just as well for me because I keep my own hair in a moisturized covered bun when I wear my half wigs.

 

[notjanet]

i wig it myself, i love wigs....i wrap my hair and the hear from my head conditions the hair while wearing the wig all day, it great,

 

[HollyGolightly]

I wore buns for years and they did nothing for me. My hair didn't start growing until I wore weaves/wigs and went natural.

 

[my-my]

For me twisting my own hair (no extensions) is best for retaining length. I can control the tension on my hair and I don't get breakage. I don't think bunning would work well for me because I like to avoid having all of my hair loose and I'd have to keep my hair stretched which would be a lot of manipulation. My hair is also very thick and pulling it back into one of anything is a job.

 

[Katherina]

I've retained the most hair with bunned twists, or with medium-sized braids.

but now i just mostly do twist n curls either down or up in a puff.

I don't really care for the look of buns or medium braids (unless they're huge buns)

 

[Bella02]

I know they are not for everyone, but weaves have allowed me to retain the most growth.

 

[KinkyGenius]

I find that half-wigging was what works for me.

I can't really bun because my hair isn't quite long enough for it to look good imo. I've worn a phony pony and bunned it that way, but I think the combs are causing breakage.

I've never worn a half wig before and kinda interested in that. How do you typically wear your hair underneath the half wig? I can't french braid

 

[TLC1020]

Bunning for me.... I guess all can be used as protective... What work for me may not work for another...

 

[grow]

lately, i'm doing the french twist.

it keeps my delicate nape hair away from clothes and i don't have to pull my hair into anything or use hairpins (those ponytail holders & hairpins give me breakage sometimes).