How to Safely Take Down a Protective Style
When taking down your hair, be gentle when detangling and make sure to use hydrating products to help the process. "It's best to first saturate the hair with a hydrating detangling cream at the root or base of the extension," Dr. Williams said. She uses the Dr. K Comb Out Creme, ($25), but we also love the Kinky-Curly Knot Today Natural Leave In Detangler ($13).
After removing or undoing the style, "use a fine-tooth comb to gently remove debris that is stuck to the hair strands," she said. "Then, once a section of the hair is detangled, run a wide-tooth comb or detangling brush through the section." For styles that have been worn for longer than four weeks or hair that is extremely matted and tangled, she recommends allowing the detangling cream to sit on the hair for a few minutes before attempting to detangle.
