Trying to grow your hair out can feel like watching paint dry. You take your supplements, you do your scalp massages, but you still aren't seeing the length retention you want. The issue often isn't how fast your hair grows—it's how fast it breaks off at the ends.
If you are wearing your hair up every day to keep it "protected," but using the wrong tools, you might be causing more harm than good. It's time to refine your routine.
What are the best protective hairstyles for hair growth?
Protective hairstyles for hair growth include loose braids, low buns, and twist-ups secured with non-damaging accessories. The key is to avoid styles that pull tight at the hairline or place stress on the same spot daily. Using a flexible, lightweight claw clip instead of elastic bands can eliminate "ponytail dent" and reduce mechanical stress on the follicles, allowing hair to retain length.
The "Release Test": Are You Causing Micro-Trauma?
Before we dive into the styles, take this simple test. At the end of the day, when you take your hair down, does your scalp feel sore, tender, or sensitive? Do you feel a rush of relief?
If the answer is yes, you have failed the Release Test. That soreness is a sign of inflammation and micro-trauma to the hair follicle. If you feel relief when you take your hair down, your hairstyle was too tight, too heavy, or positioned incorrectly. A truly protective style should feel weightless.
3 Growth-Friendly Styles To Try
This is the gold standard for daily wear. By twisting the hair up and securing it with a claw clip, you tuck your fragile ends away (protecting them from friction against your clothes) without pulling on your hairline.
Why use Beaux? Standard clips force thick hair into a "rigid space," crushing the twist. The Beaux Anti-Breakage Claw uses Adaptive Geometry that expands to match your volume. It holds the twist securely without the crushing pressure.
If you have textured or curly hair, the Pineapple is essential for sleep. Pile your curls loosely at the very top of your head.
The Secret: Use a silk scrunchie. The goal isn't to secure it tightly; it's just to keep your curls from being crushed by your pillow while you sleep.
High buns look great, but they place maximum stress on your hairline (the "edges"). Rotate in a low bun that sits at the nape of your neck.
Avoid the Elastic: Instead of wrapping a hair tie three times (creating a crease point), twist the bun and secure it with a claw clip. This distributes the weight across the back of the head rather than hanging it off a single anchor point.
Is Wearing Hair Up Bad For Traction Alopecia?
Wearing hair up is only bad if there is tension. If you use rigid, heavy clips or tight elastics, yes—it causes Traction Alopecia. But if you use lightweight, flexible tools that pass the Release Test, wearing your hair up is actually the best way to retain length because it prevents your ends from splitting against your clothing.
Start your no-tension growth journey today by switching to tools designed to protect your progress.