Over the last few months, I’ve been struggling with decisions on moisturizers and protective styles.  I’ve ready many (maybe too many) blogs and discussions boards on the benefits of protective styles.  ”That’s the only way to retain length,” “I owe the length of my hair to protective styling,” and “If you want to retain length, you must use protective styles”.    On the flip side, I’ve read blogs that protective styling isn’t necessary if you take proper care (i.e. moisturize, regular deep condition, and less manipulation) of your natural hair.  In the article, “Is Protective Styling Always Necessary for Longer Hair,” it provides points on a list of points on how protective styling can benefit you.   It also provides a few points on when protective styling won’t benefit you.  According to this article, my hair would not benefit from protective styling.  It’s coily and has corkscrews.

I’m on the fence about protective styles. My hair is about 6 inches in length when stretched in a dry state.  I haven’t measured my hair while wet.  I have worn twists for a few days.  However, I don’t like wearing my twists outside of the house (a point that I’ve shared previously) so I wear a hair net that I purchased from Sally’s, but I feel like an old woman when I wear it.  I tried coils a couple of weeks ago, but didn’t like that you could see my melanin-challenged strands.

I also don’t believe that my hair is long enough for the protective styles that appeal to me.  However, I want my hair to grow. So what am I going to do you ask.  Well, I’ve resigned myself that I need to bite the bullet if I want to continue to grow my hair.  To achieve this goal, I’m making some changes.  The first is that I’ve changed the supplements that I’m going to take.  I will continue with my daily multi-vitamin, but I’ve changed my biotin dosage.  I was taking 1000 mcg, but now I’m taking 5000 mcg.  It’s one tablet that I take in the morning.

I’ve also started using brahmi alma oil.  The instructions call to use apply it to the hair and scalp at night, and wash it out with a low pH shampoo after 8 – 10 hours.  This is to be done no less than two times a week.  I’ve used it three times within the last two weeks.  I also changed my moisturizer.  I now use the Shea Moisture Restorative Conditioner at night.  I apply it to my dry hair, and seal with sweet almond oil. I stumbled on the use of the Shea Moisture in a panic of desperation.   My hair feels amazing in the morning.

I’m also going to wear my hair in twists longer than 2 days.  I’ve purchased the Sue Maesta Classic Hood. It fits closer to the head than the hair net that I’ve worn in the past.  I can also use it in my night time routine.

I’m going to wash my hair tomorrow, and record my hair length while it’s wet.  I’ll chart my progress over the next few months to see if my changes impact my hair growth.