Low Manipulation Vs. Protective Styling - What's the big difference?

 

The best way to retain length whilst natural, and especially in the type 4 category, is to protect your hair.  If protection is not your thing, the next best way to retain length is to minimize daily manipulation.  The need for protective styling may not be as critical to other hair types for length retention, as for type 4 gals.  This is simply because our hair is the most fragile of all hair types, and therefore, the most susceptible to breakage.

For clarification, let's define the two practices:

Protective Styling:  Styling one's hair in such a way that it is protected from the elements (friction, frigid temps, wind, sun, constant strain from combing, breakage from handling, and heat from styling tools)

Cornrows
Braids
Two Strand Twists
Senegalese Twists
Buns
Bantu Knots
Wigs
Weaves
Flat Twists

Low Manipulation Styling: Styling one's hair in such a way that requires minimal daily handling.

Braid-Outs
Twist-Outs
Bantu Knot-Outs
Roller Sets
Pin Curls
Flexi-Rod Sets
Wash'n Gos
FroHawks

The major difference between the two practices is, with protective styling your ends are always tucked away - hidden from the elements.  With low manipulation, although there is not a lot of handling involved, your ends are exposed.  Both methods are great tools to have in your hair care arsenal to achieve length and strength.

Some people find protective styling boring or distasteful.  I am not one of those people.  I find it interesting to find news ways to keep my protective hair styles captivating.  Are you a PS or LMS or none of the above? - YB