Low Manipulation Vs Protective Styles - What Is The Difference And Which Is Better?

Honestly there was a time I thought low manipulation styling was the same as protective styling and to make a distinction between the two was just another way for us to have something to argue about.

Well get those boxing gloves off because even though both styles have very similar goals and many women use these terms interchangeably, there are very distinct differences between the two.

In the interest of providing a simple definition, a protective style is considered a long term style that does not have to be redone regularly.

For example weaves, cornrows, braids and twists with or without extensions* would be considered to be protective styles.

On the other hand a low manipulation style can be worn with minimum manipulation and styling maintenance throughout the week.

Types of low manipulation styles include buns, updos, twist outs, braid outs and even wash and go’s.

Of course a low manipulation style can be turned into a protective style by just deciding not to redo it. I have known women to retain moisture in their hair by damp bunning and forgetting about it for 3 weeks at a time before washing and restyling.

In that instance, even though the hair has not had the benefit of moisturization or weekly deep conditioning* sessions, the ends have remained tucked away from the elements so have not lost too much moisture.

What Low Manipulation Styling And Protective Styling Have In Common

They both help to retain length

One of the major brownie points of either styling method is length retention. Whether your hair is natural or relaxed if your goal is length then one sure fire way to achieve it is to protect your hair at all costs.

Low manipulation helps with retention because you are not constantly using brushes, combs and other tools to maintain your hair daily. Additionally in some cases your hair is removed totally from your shoulders and back to protect it from constantly rubbing on the fabric of your clothes which can lead to breakage.

Length retention with protective styling is a no-brainer really. Your hair is not being manipulated with combs or any other tools over a longer period of time ranging from 3-8 weeks which allows you to retain all the length gained in that period.

They both help reduce split ends and damaged ends

You may not realize this but every time you manipulate your hair be it from combing, braiding or any other handling, you cause a little bit of breakage. This is known as mechanical damage.

Every mechanically broken hair, has an end that is frayed and frankly just not in the best condition. These frayed ends then become more likely to create a split end.

Low manipulation and protective styling limits the so called Hand In Hair Syndrome. And by limiting the amount of time you handle your hair, you are in effect also limiting the split ends.

In either case the whole point is to reduce wear and tear on your hair. In terms of low manipulation styles like twist outs, braids outs or even wash and go’s which are generally more exposed to the elements and brush against your shoulders, they still give you a chance to enjoy your curls and hair without touching the strands too much causing damage.

Even if you decide never to protective style your hair in the long term, for black hair low manipulation styling remains absolutely necessary for the health of your hair.

Where Low Manipulation Styles And Protective Styles Differ

Really the main difference is the amount of time you would wear the style. If you have a weave* or braids, chances are you will not touch your hair for a good four weeks or more if you can take it.

Maintenance of your hair in a protective style does not involve much handling of your own hair so there is little chance for breakage. Essentially what you are doing is maintenance of your own hair in the form of adding moisture to avoid dryness and breakage.

Low manipulation styles will generally need a little work at the end of each day. If you are rocking a twist out all week and your hair is not accepting of the pineapple method of saving curls, chances are that you have a night time routine involving re-braiding/twisting that will keep your hair set and together for the next day.

So Which Is Better?

Really the answer to that depends on the type of hair that you have. It’s a sobering thought but the truth is some of us simply cannot retain a great deal of length without protective styling.

Sure most of us will be able to retain some good length with low manipulation styling in the beginning of our hair journeys but some people may find themselves plateauing at certain lengths where they are not losing length but they are no longer gaining length either.

Shoulder length and armpit length are pretty common plateau points for both natural and relaxed women.

If you find that low manipulation styling is no longer working as a length retention tactic even though your regimen hasn’t changed significantly, then it may be time to bring out the protective styling guns!

It is difficult and more than a little unfair to give a sweeping generalization on hair types and if protective styling is needed to retain length or not.

Many women of all hair types and textures have managed to retain length quite nicely with just low manipulation styling. And conversely, women of multiple hair textures have found that they need to protective style exclusively in order to retain length.

This is why is is so important to know your own hair! Learning what your hair likes and dislikes will be the single most important thing you learn in your journey to grow long hair.

If you are a newbie or you simply don’t know your own hair yet and you are wondering what to choose, the best advice I can give is that it really depends on you and what you like. Both methods will significantly increase length retention so if you are the type of girl that prefers to wear her own hair but wants to reap the benefits of high retention then low manipulation might be right up your alley.

If on the other hand you really want to give your hair a break for an extra long time while benefiting from maximum length retention then go for a protective style. You won’t regret it! Either way you will be solid on your goals.