how effective are protective styles?

[bellezanegra826]

I have decided to resume my bun challenge. I started it last Dec 14 and I had every intention of wearing my hair in a bun for an entire year, but of course that didn't happen. I guess I got discouraged b/c I wasn't sure if I was going to see results. Can people who use protective styles for extended periods of time tell me if they are worth it?

 

[cocoberry10]

I mentioned this on another post, but the jury is still out for me whether protective styles are beneficial. I am currently in braids (somewhat of a protective style). I will let you know how I liked it when I take them out in a week. However, buns didn't seem to do anything but incinerate my ends.

I may give the baggie challenge a try when I remove the braids. I was a few inches below shoulder length when I put the braids in.

 

[Healthb4Length]

I think they are worth it! When you bun it up do you do the baggie trick with it? when you put heavy oils (petroleum jelly) it really protects your ends, I prefer putting on oils on my ends. I also consider braids a protective style, believe me they really help me retain my length especially in the dry NorthEastern winters.

 

[SUPER SWEET]

I think they work for some. I did the bun challenge for two months and have gotten healthier and strong hair from washing frequently. The less heat and manipulation for my hair the better!

 

[Chicoro]

I have done protective styles for many years and used curl activator.

But!

The process that made my hair thrive was protective styles coupled with the baggie method. I use vaseline and want to work toward replacing it with a natural product or butter that is just as effective as the vaseline.

 

[bellezanegra826]

Chicoro do you think you hair would have done as well if you used the same products but didn't use protective styles? Do you think if you had done protective styles without the products you would have had the same results?

 

[Crackers Phinn]

I have been wearing my hair in a bun almost every day since I began my transition in March. (on the weekends I will 'attempt' cornrows or throw on a wig) I keep my ends moist with mango butter and in a baggie.

I flat ironed my hair for the first time in 7 months (with my new maxiglide) last night and was SHOCKED that the hair on my head, which has never been longer than 'brushing my shoulders' is almost armpit length.

My new growth is 3 1/2 inches stretched, I had to have retained the length that I started with to have come this far. So I am officially a believer in protective styles especially the baggie method.

I will be posting pictures either this evening or tomorrow.

 

[maryj1584]

I love the baggie method. It has really saved my hair. I have been doing it for about 6 months and I have retained close to six inches. I am planning on sticking to it. It is a sure fire way to retain lenght.

 

[Peachtree]

Buns are my protective style of choice. I get a 2 for 1 deal... a protective style along with the convenience of a quick simple do! I LUV quick styles

 

[Lady_Lioness]

Protective styles are very effective in keeping length...Years ago, I never would have thought about doing protective styles...but now since i've been doing them my hair has retained so much length...

I usually would style my hair by twisting it up and adding a butterfly clip to secure it...or i would pull my hair back in a single low ponytail and tuck my ends either under the ponytail...or tuck my ends in with a clip or a bobby pin.

 

[Sweet_Ambrosia]

I have decided to resume my bun challenge. I started it last Dec 14 and I had every intention of wearing my hair in a bun for an entire year, but of course that didn't happen. I guess I got discouraged b/c I wasn't sure if I was going to see results. Can people who use protective styles for extended periods of time tell me if they are worth it?

I started wearing protective styles last year and my hair has been thriving ever since, I've retained length and the overall health of my hair has improved greatly so protective styles are definitely worth it for me. My staple styles are braidouts, buns, and phony ponies.

 

[simplycee]

I just ended my own personal year long bun challenge in August. It was hard in the beginning but when it started getting cold and the snow started falling I really appreciated protecting my ends. While my challenge is over I will go back to protective styling this fall and winter.

My hair did retain length. I was free to wash more frequently and used very minimal heat. I think the combo of no heat, frequent washing and low maintenance helped me get the most out of protective styling.

 

[krissyprissy]

Protective styles are bringing me closer and closer to my goal of brastrap every month. I started doing protective styles early this spring with baggie method, buns, and french rolls. I'm not sure how many inches I retained since I haven't measured in awhile. It has grew from grazing my shoulders to 2 inches past shoulders since January. To me thats a big accomplishment.

 

[Mestiza]

Buns are my protective style of choice. I get a 2 for 1 deal... a protective style along with the convenience of a quick simple do! I LUV quick styles

Precisely! It's so much faster for me to put my hair in a bun and go. Plus, it looks great and is beneficial to my hair, too.

 

[Candy_C]

They work with me, but only by using clips to secure them. i do not think its wise to tie your bun with a band. this restricts the ends and stresses em out BIG TIME. also, the heavy oil thing, has only worked with me when my hair is heat strightened. when i airdry my hair is a completely different texture, much softer and wirey, so i dont risk it. if i do use oil i use a medium oil such as Le Kair - Castor Oil after i have used my keracare hydrating moisturiser. this keeps my ends nice and slick and compact in the morn, so i can easily do my donut bun (without the foam, the foam tried 2 drink all the moisture). i noticed more breakage usin heavy oils on my ends then ever before. but only good when my hair was blowdryed (as it was more tough and straight).

 

[Puddles]

The baggie method works for me. I have been doing it since last year and have retained over 13 inches....minus a couple of cuts. I like my hair in a "V" shape so I cut/trim at least an inch or 2 twice since then. I wear my phony twisted into a bun..not hanging. I wear it this way daily.
I highly recommend it...if trying to achieve health and length.

 

[brownhaired_bonanza]

I've been wearing protective styles for years. About 7 years actually. That means roller-wrap pinups and french twists. The same old styles do get a little tiring but I keep on with it because I don't care to wear my hair down and hate it even more if it's straight without curls. The only time my hair is really down is when I'm due for a salon appointment.

 

[LDebagoria]

They've been workin' for me!

 

[LookingandListening]

I cut my hair a few years back. Shortly after--during the growing out phase I could do almost anything--twists, press, ponytail/bunw*when it got long enough* with absolutely NO damage(I was trimming frequently though)--but now that its' back at some substantial length I can't do as much to without it becoming damaged.*so fragile * Now I can't even wear ponytails without breakage and my twist are a pain because that don't last but a day MAYBE two. Sorry--venting...

 

[Nicole-27]

I am new to the boards and have been addicted to the posts every since. Question for you protective style wearers: Do the protective styles (phony ponies in particular) cause anyone excessive breakage at the hairline?

I've been doing the old ponies with the weave hair, not the clip on ones. I take it down every night and re-wrap in the morning (how annoying).

 

[caribeandiva]

i've read a lot of hair books and the authors never mention protective styles. i even went to the Cathy Howse website and she says that protective styles (especially buns) always leave her ends dried out. so i don't think they're necessary or help retain more length.

 

[B_Phlyy]

My hair is short, so there are already only so many styles I can do, protective or not.

But even when my hair gets longer, I probably won't wear protective styles.

 

[sweetwhispers]

can anyone tell me what a you mean by a bun? Is it just tying your hair up ( like looping it twice through the hairband , instead of a ponytale) or is there a method to to doing a bun? ( i know i sound stupid )

 

[*Frisky*]

can anyone tell me what a you mean by a bun? Is it just tying your hair up ( like looping it twice through the hairband , instead of a ponytale) or is there a method to to doing a bun? ( i know i sound stupid )

You dont sound stupid

I think there are a few variations of buns...the most popular one might be the doughnut bun. Putting your hair in a ponytail and pinning it under could be considered a bun too. The main point is to hide or protect the ends of your hair...

 

[Hardwksister]

they've been very effective for me. I've been doing the bun/baggie method since Jan/2006. I have worn my hair down more during the summer months but will resume the baggie method Sept. 1. My hair, especially my ends have never been this healthy in my entire life. I co-wash daily before bed, add my leave-ins and put my hair in 1 plait in the back. In the morning, i've been using a silk type knee high that i've cut into several ponytail holders, put a little ntm silk on my ends and put grapeseed oil in the baggie then put the phony bun or pony on and that's it. I must admit tho that i'm really really tired of wearing this hairstyle but for me this is the only protective style that help me retain length. My hair seems to shed alot when i do braid/twist outs.

 

[leleepop]

Buns and braidouts have worked for me.....I focus on no heat....I'm tryna perfect my bantu knot set now also.

 

[sweetwhispers]

You dont sound stupid

I think there are a few variations of buns...the most popular one might be the doughnut bun. Putting your hair in a ponytail and pinning it under could be considered a bun too. The main point is to hide or protect the ends of your hair...i

thanks for the reply marie170.I think i'm gonna try the doughnut bun once i get rid of my twists

 

[krissyprissy]

Protective styles is what got me past shoulder length. When my ends are exposed out they always become dry no matter what I do. Protective styling has help me retain length and moisture. I get less frequent trims and my ends are no longer thin looking. All thanks to me discovering how to wear my hair up more often.

 

[ekomba]

I have decided to resume my bun challenge. I started it last Dec 14 and I had every intention of wearing my hair in a bun for an entire year, but of course that didn't happen. I guess I got discouraged b/c I wasn't sure if I was going to see results. Can people who use protective styles for extended periods of time tell me if they are worth it?

Hey Bellezanegra826, I used protective styles for a year and plan to use it this year too. My hair has really thrived off of them i think i was able to retain everything i grew. Cause i do have split ends but i dont want to trim till i reach my goal, i havent trimmed in a year and if it was not for protective styles my hair would be all broken up but the no manipulation tremendously helped me retain the length so i could concentrate on growing more.

I m even scared to add that it almost became a way of life lol; before learning about protective styles i would always wear my hair out when it was permed and it would never go past shoulder length. I think i m most of the time in protective styles even as we speak lol i think you just get used to it, that s when you see the most growth, when you leave your hair in buns and braids or twists but without forgetting to add moisture to it.

 

[KiniKakes]

Buns are my protective style of choice. I get a 2 for 1 deal... a protective style along with the convenience of a quick simple do! I LUV quick styles

Amen to that sista! Same here!