You’ve heard that protective styling grows your hair, so eager try this method you go for it. You try box braids, crochet braids and end up going months tucking your hair away but not much has changed. Is this you? Here’s why braids do not grow hair and many often end up seeing lack luster results:
#1 You are not moisturizing your hair
Although you won’t have to moisturize as often when you protective style you still must moisturize. If you do not do it at all, your hair will be very dry when you remove your protective style and it will be prone to breakage. There are products that you can use that make it easy to care for your hair even when you are wearing a more long term style like box braids or crochet braids.
#2 You are not keeping a regular schedule of trims
It sounds counterproductive but trimming your hair on a regular schedule is essential. This helps prevent split ends from traveling up your hair strand, thinning your hair out and making it appear like it is not growing. When you are constantly putting your hair in long term protective styles it is easy to forget about this.
#3 The braids are too tight
Braids done too tightly can pull your hair out, which totally defeats the goal of growing your hair. If you repeat this pattern of getting super tight braid installs you will cause permanent damage which is known as traction alopecia. If your braider is not willing to be gentle especially with the more fragile parts of your hair like your edges or crown find a new stylist or learn to do braids styles on your own.
#4 You are keeping the style in too long
The max you should be wearing your longer term protective styles is a month or so. Any longer than that you are not giving your hair care it needs to thrive. Yes, you can still cleanse and moisturize your hair while wearing protective styles but not to the fullest extent. Let your hair breathe so you can get the most benefit from protective styling and reach your length goals.
Done the right way, braids can help to grow your hair because they give your strands a break from manipulation (combing, brushing, styling)
The hair you would have normally lost from manipulating it is more easily retained with this method. However, if you make the above mistakes braids do not grow your hair and you will see little to no progress at all.