Tia Mowry's chignon adds sophistication. (Photo credit: PRPhotos)

Regularly trimmed ends promote overall hair health, strength

By Nichole Nichols, My Salon Scoop Writer

Dry winter air and the indoor heat can be a big obstacle for hair-nistas to overcome, especially if we're trying to keep our tresses healthy. A good way to do so is to add protective styling to your arsenal of hair care methods to help you retain the length that you'll gain with a proper hair care ritual.

A protective hairstyle is one in which the hair doesn't brush against clothes, the ends of the hair are concealed, the styles use low or no heat, or the hair is protected by the use of serums and other products.

Fayreville, N.J. native Terri Huggins, who says she has retained a lot of hair length by utilizing protective styling, feels that her eight-month transition from relaxed to natural hair was made easier because of the technique.

"I had a lot of breakage and a lot of split ends. Ever since I've been using protective styling, I've actually retained a lot of length. My hair always grew pretty quickly, but it never really looked longer since it broke a lot," says the ballerina and recent Rider University journalism graduate.

Huggins, who mostly wears her hair in a chignon due to her dancing, added that when she started protective styling her hair was shoulder length. Now, her hair is down the middle of her back.

However, stylists warn against depending on protective styling alone for hair growth and health.

Beyonce's sewn-in weave lends sparkle. (Photo credit: PRPhotos)

"It is not my opinion that protective styles assist with hair growth," says Bambi Montgomery, a Chicago-based stylist and former owner of Honey Child Salon and Spa. "What protective styles offer is protection from breakage as your hair is growing. Typically, if your hair isn't brushing against your shoulders or coming into contact with your clothes, scarves etc., it is in a protective style."

Montgomery added that braids—using the weave technique either sewn-in or strand-by-strand—provide maximum protection for your hair from the weather, heat styling and regular combing. If you choose this style to give your hair a break, ensure glue is not used in the braiding process. Also, wash your hair at least every two weeks and avoid tight braiding, especially along the hairline.

Adaomma Edwards, a Greensboro, N.C.-based stylist and owner of Jade and Co. Salon, agrees that good hair care, especially moisturizing and conditioning, is the key to getting the most out of braids, wigs, or weaves if you choose to use them as a protective style.

"Sometimes I think people who get those styles tend to forget that their hair is under there," she says. "So it's not so much about wearing the weaves and the braids and the wigs. It's when you get ready to take the braids out, when you get ready to take the weave out and your wig off is your hair still intact?"

Edwards emphasizes that what you put in your body as well as what you put on your hair also makes a difference in the health of the hair. "You can't say that because you've got your hair braided up you don't have to worry about drinking water or (eating) vegetables or (making sure that your) hair is staying moisturized."

Huggins attributes much of her success with protective styling to proper conditioning and moisturizing.

Regina King sports her stylish pixie cut.(Photo credit: PRPhotos)

But protective hairstyling isn't the only way to protect the hair, Edwards believes. You also can protect it by using the right tools and products for your hair.

She recommends sleeping on a satin pillowcase. Use protective serums such as Design Essentials Silk Essentials. You can get it online for $17.90. Also, avoid using gel when pulling the hair back. Instead, use a cream hair dress, like Design Essentials Nutriment Rx Crème Hairdress to slick the hair back. You can get this online for $9. Both products are available online at www.designessentials.com.

But by far the best protective styling is to keep up with your hair-trimming schedule.

"One of the first things I would recommend is definitely make sure that they get regular trims," Edwards says. "That's the first thing and that's the first real method in making sure you have (a) protective (style)."

For the spring, both stylists say to seek protective looks that are soft, natural and feminine.

Tichina Arnold rocks a roller set style.(Photo credit: PRPhotos)

Women who wear their hair short, Montgomery recommends styles similar to the short pixie that Halle Berry wore as a protective style. Curly hair should be finger styled a little to avoid the "Jheri Curl" look, and women with a Caucasian or Asian type of hair should focus on cuts that give their hair structure and shape.

For women with long hair, Montgomery recommends wearing updos to give the ends of your hair a rest. Just avoid French rolls during the day.

"You can get your roller sets," Edwards says. "Anything that is not going to put a bunch of stress and heat on the hair."

Nichole Nichols is a freelance writer who has written previously for MySalonScoop.com as well as Pink Magazine. She is based in Greensboro, N.C.

Copyright 2010 © My Salon Scoop, LLC

Comments (1)

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HELP!!!
written by Morressa Morgan, May 13, 2010

My hair is so stressed out I don't know how to make it grow again, it's not really bad but at the hair line it's thining, I have lengh in the back on side is thin I guess more than the other because I tend to sleep on that side more. But when I'm stressed so is my hair. I keep the ends trimmed, not as often as I would like I relax my hare every 4-6 weeks it's still thick until I flat iron it and that's all the heat I use on my hair. My relationship has stressed both me and my hair please help.

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