Went on a 6mo. Protective style binge, now I'm paranoid. (rant)

[curlytwirly06]

So I had a setback with my hair and decided to do something I never did. Protective style. Whenever I did my hair it was always in some out style. Only because I have really fine, like finer than thread, strand with medium density. NO style ever looked good outside of wash and go's and braid outs. Not to mention I have the craziest hair ever. The back is around 2-c the front and middle is a mixture of 3a-3b. Since I was a child I have had a mohawk with shorter sides in the front and longer in the back. My left side also grows faster than the right and is about 1/2 in - 3/4 inch longer than the other.. I see thick headed naturals with strong type 4 curls and get so jelly of their density and strength.

So I just finished a 6 month non-stop protective style challenge with yarn braids. After six months of only touching my hair between braid cycles I am now petrified to do anything to for the fear of damage. I don't want to wear it out because out = damage. I went from always having my hair out to being afraid during wash days and panicky over any manipulation whatsoever. I now hate having to put my hands in my hair at all and freak out over every broken hair I see.

I am burnt out on braids and dont know what to do next. I dont know how to balance this protective styling thing to maintain length. How much is to much? Is there some sort of schedule I should be on? Like only leave ur hair down so and so days etc? Do you have to protective style 24/7 to see retention? Am I being too paranoid?

 

[curlytwirly06]

offley quiet in here....

 

[Pennefeather]

Is your hair long enough to put into a bun? It would be a different style, and is suitable for most occasions. You can also use low manipulation with a bun. In addition, it will keep your ends protected.

 

[JulietWhiskey]

Admittedly, I'm not a protective styler but my co-worker who is has AMAZING retention.

My issue with PS is that I can't do buns (my fragile edges can't take it) and where I live, it is difficult to find a braider that a). knows how to respect baby fine hair and fragile edges and b). doesn't charge a kidney, liver and heart to braid your hair.

So what I would advise you to do is keep doing what is working. If you've had success at PSing, then I would contine to PS and maybe wear my hair out for a couple of weeks after taking down my braids but being sure to BABY my hair, especially when out. Then I would go right back to PStyling for 3-6 mos.

I feel it's important to enjoy the fruits of your labor but hopefully, some regular PStylers will chime in with some useful tips!

HTH!

 

[Stormy]

Protective Styler here! I started being more dedicated around March. I put my hair in two strand twists for two months at a time, and leave my hair out for one day to a week at the most. When I leave my hair out for that long I usually do a bun or a roll-n-tuck. I have no breakage and it stays healthy.

 

[curlytwirly06]

Thanks to all that responded. I would do buns but I don't like putting my hair in holders and having to brush my edges. Just a matter of preferable really, that and every bun I make looks a bit funny. I'm about as style challenged as they come. Twists looks to skimpy on my hair. As of now the back is an inch above mid back length the sides very between bra strap length and a bit above and the front is collar bone. I really wish my hair would just grow evenly. Thanks for all the responses !

 

[curlytwirly06]

Protective Styler here! I started being more dedicated around March. I put my hair in two strand twists for two months at a time, and leave my hair out for one day to a week at the most. When I leave my hair out for that long I usually do a bun or a roll-n-tuck. I have no breakage and it stays healthy.

So is your hair out while in the twists? I thought that was still protective styling? And do you mean if you leave your hair out (not in twists) after a day you usually do a roll and tuck? Thanks!

 

[southerncitygirl]

I do medium sized twists and put them in a loose ponytail or bun. I do the LOC method and tie it down with a scarf to keep the frizzies at bay. I never brush when I do buns I use my fingers to smooth it down. I do protein treatments and trim/dust regularly.

 

[Stormy]

So is your hair out while in the twists? I thought that was still protective styling? And do you mean if you leave your hair out (not in twists) after a day you usually do a roll and tuck? Thanks!

No it's not out while twisted. That's my PS and yes I do the roll and tuck when my hair is out.

 

[traceedeebee]

So I had a setback with my hair and decided to do something I never did. Protective style. Whenever I did my hair it was always in some out style. Only because I have really fine, like finer than thread, strand with medium density. NO style ever looked good outside of wash and go's and braid outs. Not to mention I have the craziest hair ever. The back is around 2-c the front and middle is a mixture of 3a-3b. Since I was a child I have had a mohawk with shorter sides in the front and longer in the back. My left side also grows faster than the right and is about 1/2 in - 3/4 inch longer than the other.. I see thick headed naturals with strong type 4 curls and get so jelly of their density and strength.

So I just finished a 6 month non-stop protective style challenge with yarn braids. After six months of only touching my hair between braid cycles I am now petrified to do anything to for the fear of damage. I don't want to wear it out because out = damage. I went from always having my hair out to being afraid during wash days and panicky over any manipulation whatsoever. I now hate having to put my hands in my hair at all and freak out over every broken hair I see.

I am burnt out on braids and dont know what to do next. I dont know how to balance this protective styling thing to maintain length. How much is to much? Is there some sort of schedule I should be on? Like only leave ur hair down so and so days etc? Do you have to protective style 24/7 to see retention? Am I being too paranoid?

I haven't gotten to the point where protective styling is too much. I aim for 4 to 8 weeks in a protective style and one to two weeks in a low manipulation style. My protective style of choice is mini braids or twists. I vary on low manipulation styles, faux buns, crown or halo braids, or rod sets.Toni of MyNaturalSistas has some great tutorials that show how to bun or crown braid without using a brush.
I get a little paranoid when I'm not in my ps, but I remind myself that I know my hair well enough now. I hope I can't do too much damage within a week or two.

 

[almond eyes]

I think fine hair needs to be very cautious with protective styling. It's too much tension and mechanical damage to the strands. When I used to braid my natural hair my hair couldn't handle the stress. And when I twisted my hair without any extensions on a daily basis to get that wavy pattern my hair was always coming out I used to blame the products but I understood that my hair is too fine for protective styling especially if done everyday.

Best,
Almond Eyes

 

[traceedeebee]

I think fine hair needs to be very cautious with protective styling. It's too much tension and mechanical damage to the strands. When I used to braid my natural hair my hair couldn't handle the stress. And when I twisted my hair without any extensions on a daily basis to get that wavy pattern my hair was always coming out I used to blame the products but I understood that my hair is too fine for protective styling especially if done everyday.

Best,
Almond Eyes

I hope I'm not being intrusive, but how do you wear your hair? What you are describing reminds me of something my coworker said before she cut her hair into a low fade. I always wondered what other solutions were available. Her hair did well hidden under wigs. She kept it twisted underneath.

 

[Stormy]

Right! And I forgot to add curlytwirly, that I add hair in (except for the back cause it's gotten too long and I risk cutting my own hair). I use afro puffy. It's just like my own hair.

 

[Eiano]

Keep PSing and wig it.

 

[curlytwirly06]

Thanks everyone!

 

[charmtreese]

I hope I'm not being intrusive, but how do you wear your hair? What you are describing reminds me of something my coworker said before she cut her hair into a low fade. I always wondered what other solutions were available. Her hair did well hidden under wigs. She kept it twisted underneath.

I know this question is for Almond Eyes. But I also have fine hair and I find that once a week manipulation is all that it can handle. I twist my hair once a week and wear them in different styles until my next weekly wash.

 

[almond eyes]

I hope I'm not being intrusive, but how do you wear your hair? What you are describing reminds me of something my coworker said before she cut her hair into a low fade. I always wondered what other solutions were available. Her hair did well hidden under wigs. She kept it twisted underneath.

No problem. I wear my hair out. Right now it is about 2.5 inches. I don't wear any extension braids, nor twist it nor coil it. I co wash everyday, detangle in the shower, put s curl and another leave in and detangle lightly again and then wait for the white parts to dissolve and I go. If I am not in the mood, I just wear a head scarf and knit cap. But I never tie my silk scarves tight.

This is my sixth time going natural and each time I have had to learn the lessons the hard way. I also six years ago did the wigs and braided my hair underneath and that caused my hair dryness and too much manipulation because I wore my cornrows too tight to fit under the wigs.

I am happy in that my hair is growing the 1/2 an inch per month and winter is coming. So I expect that before the start of the summer to have six inches. My hair is an interesting combo of very fine curly hair and also coarse fine small coils but very fine. Conquering my porosity issue was a big deal for me. At this point it is all about retention and patience.

But when it gets longer I will do stretched styles but no twists or extensions.

Best,
Almond Eyes

 

[traceedeebee]

I know this question is for Almond Eyes. But I also have fine hair and I find that once a week manipulation is all that it can handle. I twist my hair once a week and wear them in different styles until my next weekly wash.

No problem. I wear my hair out. Right now it is about 2.5 inches. I don't wear any extension braids, nor twist it nor coil it. I co wash everyday, detangle in the shower, put s curl and another leave in and detangle lightly again and then wait for the white parts to dissolve and I go. If I am not in the mood, I just wear a head scarf and knit cap. But I never tie my silk scarves tight.

This is my sixth time going natural and each time I have had to learn the lessons the hard way. I also six years ago did the wigs and braided my hair underneath and that caused my hair dryness and too much manipulation because I wore my cornrows too tight to fit under the wigs.

I am happy in that my hair is growing the 1/2 an inch per month and winter is coming. So I expect that before the start of the summer to have six inches. My hair is an interesting combo of very fine curly hair and also coarse fine small coils but very fine. Conquering my porosity issue was a big deal for me. At this point it is all about retention and patience.

But when it gets longer I will do stretched styles but no twists or extensions.

Best,
Almond Eyes

Thank you both! I will show her both of your responses. Taking care of fine hair is a challenge. I've gotten lucky, but she's been struggling.