All about protective hairstyles - Christophe Nicolas Biot Paris

If your hair tends to break easily, it's time to take a look at protective hairstyles and see how you can use them. Find out our top tips according to your haircut and lifestyle.

Why does my hair break?

There may be more reasons why your hair has become brittle. It's often due to the daily friction that all hair undergoes. It may be due to the regular use of heating appliances such as straightening irons or hair dryers. But also the sun, seawater or chlorine in the pool. It could be due to water that's too hard or too hot when shampooing.... There are many reasons, but if your hair has become brittle, it's time to try protective styling.

The importance of water quality for beautiful hair

What exactly are protective hairstyles?

Protective hairstyles have primarily been used on Afro hair, which tends to be very damaged by products and tight styling. They are a way of protecting and preserving beautiful curls. Today, protective styles are suitable for all hair types. As the name suggests, they protect hair from external aggressions, limit breakage and preserve hair's natural moisture.

Adopting a protective hairstyle means:

Reduce hair's exposure to external aggressors.
Limit manipulations.
Protect lengths and tips from friction.
Stylizing for better care.

What kind of protective hairstyle should I choose?

There are different types of protective hairstyles, and some are more suited to your hair type. They're generally very quick to achieve and require very little technique. It's up to you to choose the right one for you.

For curly or frizzy hair, loose braids and vanillas are very effective for retaining moisture.
You can use a satin cap or scarf to prevent the hair from rubbing against the pillow at night.
For straight hair, a low bun may be enough to protect the hair from friction and external aggression.

Note: It's important not to pull on the roots to avoid damaging the scalp and traumatizing the hair. Nor should the hair be smothered. This would produce the opposite of the desired effect.

When to use protective hairstyles?

You can create a protective hairstyle all year round. Day or night.

They help protect hair from the sun, but also from the winter cold, limit rubbing while you sleep, allow you to leave a treatment on, promote growth by protecting the ends... And of course, you can wear it for several days in a row.

The ritual

You need to have clean, well-moisturized, dry hair before you start.
Use a moisturizing or protective treatment such asHuile Sèche n°11, Soin Éclat Serum, Baume Végétal Ultra-nourrissant, L'Émulsion Végétale n°4 or Le Fluide de Crème n°6.
The hairstyle is achieved gently, without pulling on the hair. Even if it looks like the style won't last long, don't tighten the hair. This would weaken rather than protect the hair.