Do Protective Styles Really Protect?

[Vegan@Genesis]

I wear my hair out daily, and my split ends are getting out of control. My hair is moisturized so that's not contributing to it. Yet, even with moisture my hair hugs and knots together. Do braid outs, twists, and twist outs really protect? Is it really worth the time, effort, and possibly extra money that go into it?

Thanks guys!

[Vegan@Genesis]

My guess is that braids prevent the knotting, but if I wear a braid out will it still knot together, especially if it's humid?

What I mean is, "Are split ends inevitable regardless of style and maintenance?"

[jazzi]

I'm not really sure about protecting...b/c my hair sheds and needs to be trimmed regardless to what I do, but those styles keep me from having to be bothered with my hair, so in that respect, they're helpful.

[mistytee]

Do you get regular trims?
I notice when my hair starts to knot or tangle, then it's time for a trim,
which now I do every 6 weeks and I've noticed a big difference with how
my ends feel and hair behaves...
Also, my hair sheds less when I keep them in twist.

[Vegan@Genesis]

Hi MistyTee!

No, I only trim twice a year. So that's my problem. I take really good care of my hair, but I guess that should include trimming.  I dread it, but I do know one person that does it the proper way-not chopping, just trimming. The only thing (because I live in such a small town and don't have many options) she has to straighten in order to trim it, and that's like the price of a perm. I guess I'm straighten it myself and let her trim it.

They're really bad (my ends) I probably  need a good inch off-the tree splits are really growing and spread many branches. Yet, my hair looks very healthy.

Thanks!!

[Vegan@Genesis]

Jazzi,
So it doesn't matter what if I braid my hair- I"m still going to get knots at the ends? I'm trying to prevent the knots from forming. Moisture helps, but it's not enough. What helps you in this regard?


Thanks a bunch!

[jazzi]

MrsGriffin, I don't really get knots.  I've gotten them before, but they're not a persistent problem.  I bantu knot my hair at night and it has helped with tangling for sure!

[Toneahh]

I have found the best way to rid my self of knots is to trim my hair. I haven't found any style, product, magic that saves my split other than a trim.

[Vegan@Genesis]

Thanks, I definitely need a trim and I should do something to my hair once in a while lol. I'll start with a trim. thanks guys!

[bubbles76]

My hair has gotten so long that the only way I can see my split ends is to have my hair straightened and then trimmed.  I only get my hair trimmed about 4 times a year, so the heat hasn't damaged my hair much (i say MUCH because I know there has to be some damage since there is heat, but my stylist always says my hair looks and feels healthy).  I guess the key is to get someone that knows how to straighten your hair without severely damaging it.  Someone that will take their time, use a good heat protectant, and not jack the heat on the flat iron up to hell just to get your hair bone straight.  It now takes my stylist two hours to straighten my hair, but only because she takes her time and isn't trying to melt my hair.

[NATuralinCO]

Not to beat a dead horse, but I also agree w/pp's saying a good trim will help.  I hadn't had mine trimmed in 11 months and my hair was a NIGHTMARE to detangle.  After just having a little trimmed off things changed completely - so easy to detangle, no more ends curling over ends so much that I had to FIGHT to separate them.  This Nov was my 2nd yr anniversary of being natural and I had it straightened - an "annual ritual" now - and my ends really needed more than what I'd had done...it's currently straight but I can't wait to get it sopping wet to enjoy the new ease I'm sure the trim afforded me!! I must say I hate the 2 hrs it takes to get it straightened, but hopefully doing it every 8 wks won't be too much - I need to invest in a good heat protectant....anyway, definitely try to get your hair trimmed - you'll be SO glad you did!!

[Vegan@Genesis]

Jazzi, I"m going to try the bantu knots- at least something similar.

Well, Ya'll I did get a trim-  I mean a cut and about a year's worth of growth is gone beacause she had to reshape my Do it yourself cut. I miss me length but it grows pretty fast so I'm trying to to be so down about it. Thanks for all the support guys I love this site!I don't think I'll get the length back until next summer, but I promised myself I"m going to get it trimmed every 2-3 months.

What do you guys think of finguer coiling my hair first and letting her clip the ends that way?

[mistytee]

Jazzi, I"m going to try the bantu knots- at least something similar.

Well, Ya'll I did get a trim-  I mean a cut and about a year's worth of growth is gone because she had to reshape my Do it yourself cut. I miss me length but it grows pretty fast so I'm trying to to be so down about it. Thanks for all the support guys I love this site!I don't think I'll get the length back until next summer, but I promised myself I"m going to get it trimmed every 2-3 months.

What do you guys think of finger coiling my hair first and letting her clip the ends that way?

Hi MrsGriffin,

When you wait and go to a salon to get a cut, they normally have to cut off more,
to correct the hair that's damaged...

When my hair was longer, I had to trim every 2 - 3 months, because I have very coily hair
and it tangles very easy...
I'm back to a twa, but not by choice..Now I'm loving it...I look back and see that detangling
was a job in itself and I don't miss it!!!
I'll wear my hair low until after the summer, because I plan on swimming daily and then start
my locing process...

Trimming every 2 - 3 months will help your ends and hair stay healthy, because split ends travel
up the hair shaft and cause damage that way as well...
I would two strand twist and then trim that way, when I didn't want to visit a salon..
The only difference, a salon gives you a precise and even cut, but snipping
your ends in finger coils or twist will work, when you just want to get rid of the dead ends...

[Vegan@Genesis]

Thanks Misty. I bought a royal flat iron about 2 months ago, and now I don't want to use it. It's awesome! My curls came back immediately with no temporary texturized look after I shampooed. However, I think I want to go completely heatless- but not quite sure yet.

Thanks for the advice.

[keemee]

Hi MrsGriffin,


Trimming every 2 - 3 months will help your ends and hair stay healthy, because split ends travel
up the hair shaft and cause damage that way as well...
I would two strand twist and then trim that way, when I didn't want to visit a salon..
The only difference, a salon gives you a precise and even cut, but snipping
your ends in finger coils or twist will work, when you just want to get rid of the dead ends...

Totally agree with the trimming.  I have been natural for over 3 years now and trim my hair every 1-2 months with excellent results in-terms of split ends and hair growth.