We talk a lot about protective styles--which ones are the cutest, which ones last the longest, which ones are the easiest to maintain. We talk about protective styles like they’re a cureall, but, if you’re not careful, you may be doing more harm than good. The last thing we want is for you to undo all that protection by being over eager in the way you take down your protective style. Here are our tips for taking down protective styles without damaging your hair.

Get the right tools

There’s a lot to be said for having a good set of combs. When you’ve got combs in a range of sizes, you’re able to take down protective styles with precision and avoid unnecessary damage. And good combs to have to be expensive. Head to your local beauty supply, and you’re sure to find a set of combs in your budget. You also want to have a spray bottle on hand and potentially a pair of scissors, depending on the style.

Take your time

If you only take away one tip from this blog post, let this be the one. We get it. You’ve got a head full of braids, and all you want is to feel like your scalp can breathe again. You wish these braids were out of your hair, like yesterday. It’s tempting to rush through the process of taking your hair down. Your hair may have been in a protective style for weeks, even months, and it’s probably quite settled into its current style. When you rush to take down the braiding hair, you’re likely losing your real hair in the process. The ends you worked so hard to protect can be ripped out with everything else. Slow down, and be gentle as you take down your hair. That extra time spent could translate into extra length retention.

Ask for help

We can do a lot of damage when we try to do everything ourselves. That lesson is just as true for taking down protective styles as it is for life. See if someone can help you take down your hair. Offer to swap take downs, or offer a delicious meal in return. Having that extra set of eyes will come in handy when you encounter an especially difficult knot in the back of your head. Instead of giving up and just ripping something out, you’ve got a partner to help you navigate the situation without putting your hair at risk.

Deep condition ASAP

Once you’ve finally taken down your protective style, treat your hair to some extra TLC. Depending on the style, your hair may not have gotten equal amounts of moisture. Our Crowned Protein Masque will strengthen and condition your hair, supplementing the benefits of putting it in a protective style.

So now you can grow your hair with a protective style and not lose progress with the take down. As always, share your own hair growth progress with #shedavi.