A Guide To Washing Your Hair In A Protective Style

One of the biggest culprits that hold people back from seeing growth is lacking a consistent routine. But it's not just about hair growth, but about promoting overall hair and scalp health with a clean scalp.

Once you've established a haircare routine that prioritizes clean and moisturized hair, you might also include the regular protective style. But many people avoid cleansing their hair when in a protective style to retain the fresh look of the hairstyle.

Protectives styles are necessary for afro-textured hair, but it's easy to get lazy with your routine when your strands are tucked cozily out of sight and out of mind. However, neglecting your strands can prove to be counterintuitive and ends up with more damage or build-up.

Cleanser

A hack to cleaning your scalp when your hair is in a protective style is to use a spray bottle to distribute the product throughout the head easier.

To make your shampoo easier to spritz, mix it with water and your go-to oil into a spray bottle. Combine just enough so that the consistency of your shampoo is more runny and sprayable.

After wetting your hair, spray the solution directly to your scalp and then gently massage it in. Avoid vigorously rubbing your hair because this can cause your hairstyle to look frizzy and worn.

If you prefer to use an alternative cleanser, like an ACV (Apple cider vinegar) cleanser, you could also use this solution in your spray bottle.

Conditioning Your Cornrows

After rinsing out the shampoo from your hair, it's time to condition, of course. Using your moisturizing conditioner mixed with water and your hair oil of choice in a spray bottle, spritz the solution throughout the hair.

Again, don't rub the vigorously work in the conditioner with your hands. Instead, gently apply it to the hair, then cover it with a plastic or shower cap to generate heat, letting it penetrate the strands.

Moisturize

Moisturize your hair as normal, preferably using a spray bottle to ensure that your fingers are out of your hair as much as possible. This will help you maintain the look of your hairstyle.