Dear Dajiah, do protective styles actually protect your hair — or can they cause more harm than good?

They can — if your foundation is healthy. Too-tight braids, heavy installs, or leaving styles in too long turn “protective” into “punitive.”

The purpose of a protective style is to preserve what’s already thriving, not hide what’s struggling. Give your scalp breaks between installs, cleanse gently even while styled, and listen to your follicles — they’ll tell you when they’re tired.