How To Grow Type 4 Natural Hair WITHOUT Protective Styling 

I wanted to point out another naturalista Whitney aka Naptural85 also rarely protective styles. She found that keeping her hair stretched & moisturized helped with length retention. There is a way to retain length without protective styles. It is all about figuring out what your hair prefers. Overall, it seems having a regimen is key❤

I stopped long term protective styling , and I started a weekly regimen since July 2021 , here is what I have learned ; - my hair is easier to detangle - after rinsing out my shampoo , I actually see curls in my hair - I have less single strand knots - my split ends appear exactly 3 moths after a trim , I never noticed that when I was protective styling - with weekly wash day , my hair is less dull , it has a bit of luster - my scalp is in heaven, no itchiness - with weekly wash day, I don't lose a lot of hair - my edges are very happy and getting longer - I use up more products because I do my hair more - wash days + styling takes 2 hours now , or 3hours at most - I still retain lenght - I have more volume now

Sis I’m just tryna get to bra strap length until then my life is still incomplete

I just spent all day yesterday putting my hair in a protective style just to already be ready to take it down 🤦🏽‍♀️

I live in the Caribbean so even if I stretch my hair with or without heat as soon as I step outside my hair is just gonna shrink and coil back up.

I've seen SOOOOOOO many people retain length with wash n gos. Even type 4. There is a RU-vidr called Earthly Ram and she has thigh length 4a hair and she only does wash n gos. And yes I typed THIGH length. I've personally seen better growth with wearing my natural curl pattern (aka wash n go), but I always stretch my hair too and I use a good detangling conditioner to detangle if I do get tangles.

I’m 16 & I love watching your videos because I want my hair strong, healthy and long like yours😍❤️

I don’t protective style too and I’ve gotten length retention, so preachhhh girll, plus I don’t flat iron too, I never tried it , thank you for the video and welcome back 💕💕💕

my baby fro is so beautiful i dont want to wear protective styles!!

Honestly if you can understand that curly hair IS CURLY, so our natural oils don't get to the ends... your main focus should be stimulating your scalp and oiling/protecting your ends. I had an Indian friend in school and I was so jealous because she would cut her hair multiple times a year and I felt like it was always long. One day I was like "wtf is the secret?" she said all she does is oil her hair at night, religiously... bam that's it. 😂 I feel like Reign's hair grows in a constant wash and go state because she's constantly locking in tons of moisture with gel. The gel acts as a protective force field so now her hair knows what to expect and is trained, like she said. You can do this with twist outs and even a bun. I prefer oils over gel but I'm in love with the new Edge booster gels and the old school "brown gel" ( it's vegan, alcohol and paraben free. only 3$) a lot of the times I'm not even using "products" I just use the conditioner from whatever shampoo I'm using at that time as my leave-in and my hair still grows really long and healthy.

I'm one of them naturals that don't mind wearing my Felisha braids out in public, as long as my hair is moisturized I feel like I'm conquering the world ! 🤣🤣🤣

I bought the Kriya Botanicals high porosity leave in conditioner, and this was made from the HAIR GODS themselves. I love it. My hair has never been so soft, moisturized, and SHINY IN MY LIFE. Thank you for always recommending this product!!!!❤️❤️❤️ my hair and I loves you.

Your right, I went out of my comfort zone and tried a wash and go with no gel.. the results blown me away. I just washed, deep conditioned, then did a wash and go with my leave in and oil.... and my hair was bomb af!! My curls held up and there was no crunch!! I also finger detangle in the shower before I run my brush through it and I’ve seen the difference

I’m SO glad you put this video out there. I’ve been feeling like I might be doing something wrong. I LOVE wearing my hair out, and wearing a protective style just seems to defeat the purpose in my mind. Not bashing them...just saying I don’t prefer to do them. Thank you!

my hair stylist told me to stop single strand knots is to use a good detangling brush . not a tangle teaser or a denman brush because those are tension brushes and they cause your curls to bounce back up and wrap all around each other . she suggested i use a felicia leatherwood brush and i haven’t had any single strand knots or split ends since january 2021 because i used to de tangle with a wide tooth comb .

This is exactlyyy what I needed, how’d you read my mind??? ♡ ♡ ♡

I’m really uncomfortable with wearing my hair out bc it’s only collarbone length 😩 but anywayss love you girllll ❤️

I met Natural Reign today at the airport and she is so sweet! Like celebrities don’t excite me at all and I’ve met and seen a lot of them but I was so excited to meet my favorite youtuber!! She’s the reason my curls are always popping at work! Thank you girl!! 🤗

ReignGang!!🙋🏾‍♀️❤ Yesss I'm here for it cause your Girl can't do the Protective styles.

I grew my hair out without protective styling, I've been natural 2.5 years, it's currently at bra strap length. I did mostly twist outs ever since i big chopped in 2016. i tried braids once and I didnt like it.

Watching this as I prepare for a protective style 😂😂

I’ve been deep conditioning now for 2 weeks and my hair has been easier to detangle now

You are so on point with cheaper products vs expensive ones. I recently purchased a new product (more expensive) this past week. Let me tell you , my hair has NEVER felt more moisturized. Stepping out of my comfort zone was the best thing I could have done.

Sis your skin is glowing ✨

Love it 😍 can I just say genetics plays a part too, a lot of girls (myself included) are doing everything right to find out their hair is naturally thin and fine, I’ve been 6 years natural and I thought I was doing something wrong cause my hair was long but thin and I wanted it thicker, genetics matter

I still detangle with a wide tooth comb. I just do it gently. I don’t rip it through. I go slowly. If it gets hung up in a snag, I remove it and take care of the snag with my fingers. I find that a tool does a more thorough job for my Type 4a, b and c combination hair. Also, protective styles seem to set my hair back. It wants to be free, like it grows.

I've had my hair out for over a year now and it's not easy; it has gotten easier. I've found hair styles and playing with my hair to figure out what looks good on me. Yes, you do need patience but that's the key to learning your hair! I love my 4C😩😍

You told the 100% truth about protective styles. This is coming from the a protective style queen. I no longer wear protective styles. And this was a choice I made before I saw this video

nah protective styles are def for me, i’m not comfortable with my hair yet, it’s bra strap length (which is really short to me), PLUS ITS THICK, oh NO MA’AM. so imma just stick to it.

"What grew my hair was wash n goes." Anthony Dickie approves this message lol.

I tried A LOT of cheap products, it didn’t work for me... you are so right!

Thank you! Finally someone is saying it. Protective styles are not necessary for length retention. I only do wash n gos and I grew my hair from my 3rd big chop to my neck in a year without protective styling. I don’t stretch my curls though, I just cowash mid week and that helps get rid of small tangles before they become a problem.

your top is so cuteeeeee

I am a strong advocate for finger detangling 🙌 haven't used a comb in years other than the rat tail comb to do parts. Protective styling isnt for Everyone, you're actually the reason why I started rocking wash and gos ❤😊

I’m glad you as a influencer admits that quality products are bomb. Not just promoting these cheap brands that are sent to y’all that aren’t nearly as comparable.

Your skin is flourishing

Needed this!💕 I’m tryna be at waist length by this time next year😭

What??? *clicks on video with twists in hair* I'll take a look, but tbh my hair has been thriving in protective styles. Though I know you always come with the knowledge.

finger detangling first is really 🔑 for more length retention

In the past my hair actually grew with heat. I would flat iron every two weeks. However I took soooooooooo much care before heat styling and I kept my ends maintained.

Wash & gos are exactly what the hair needs. Our bodies are made up of 70% water, what main component do you think our hair needs? Exactly. Plus it keeps your hair healthy. I'm one of the main people who don't want to spend alot of time on my hair, but the 1 take away I have is TO MAKE SURE MY HAIR IS MOISTURIZED. & Yes my hair has grown. Thank you Jayla

I just started wash n go’s and I have been enjoying seeing my hair aside from a sleek doughnut or mini twist.also I have noticed that my hair has been shedding less on wash days.i do band at night which allows me to keep my hair stretched.girlie your videos are very informative.Keep up the good work‼️‼️😉

My hair been stuck at bra strap length forever but I’m a scissor happy person 😭😭

I’d love to see more wash and gos on a shorter length. My hair is currently collarbone length and it’s such an awkward length so I don’t feel comfortable wearing it down 😭

I love natural hair and people who wear them but protective styles is where it's at, I just get up and go I love the low maintenance. #LazyNatural

You are preaching right now. I think the issue is people embracing shrinkage and taking the time to learn their hair. #TeamWashnGo

Like you, I haven't flatironed my hair in over a year. I don't do protective styles that often either. You always give us great advice!! ReignGang💙💜💙💜

I WISH I could wear wash n go's. Seems like the only time I could was when I had a twa. I live in New Orleans where it is super humid all the time. My hair is type 4 and very dense and coily. It shrinks to my ears but also seems like my hair just does not respond to gel, maybe cause it's so dense. Anyone who has tips please let me know what you do! I'm sick of 2 strand twists.

for the longest time i didnt think i could do wash n gos. but thanks to your channel sis im lowkey a wash n go queen lol

I'm going to give wash and go's a try again because of you and this video! Just going to start stretching the style to help reduce knots. Thank you!

Omg I hear you with the finger detangling, I lose way less hair and it's the perfect tool for detangling, especially as I am tender headed!

This is my first time looking it up and seeing such good details and I do have someone to get products from that is definitely a good brand, not going cheap on me. Subbing today❤

deadass dropped everything to watch this video

Thanks for this cause i don't protective style. My hair is always out. I'm a wash n go girl

It all depends on the person’s hair (not talking about curl pattern). For instance, each strand of my hair is fine, so it breaks easily. The more I manipulate it, the more it breaks. My protein level is good, my strands are just fine. For years I only did wash and go’s, but now I’m going to try protective styling.

Thank you, I totally agree! I don't do protective styles either and I've been flat iron free for 8 months. I don't want to flat iron ever again. I'm almost to bra length.

thank you for making this video! i always try to put twist outs in my hair but if i leave it in for longer than a day or 2 my hair starts to loc up and i have no idea why. i’ve been natural for about 3 years but i mostly protective style i have really bad anxiety and i am constantly in my hair. my anxiety actually got so bad i started pulling my hair out so i had to braid it up and i just put faux locs in for about a year but you know those things are heavy so they broke my edges all the way off so now i’m trying the wash and go’s and it seems to be working so thank you for the content!

I totally agree with you. I do the same. I band overnight 👍🏽. Thanks for sharing.

Pre poos works amazingly I realized that protective styles make my hair dry lol I have 4a hair and moisture is key Wash and gos have definitely grown my hair out🥰

My shrinkage is crazyyyy I’m scared of wash & go’s but maybe I’ll try one

This summer I'm been learning to be better at washngos and I also been learning to stretch them to and my knots have been less. I would call myself a twistout queen but I haven't been doing those that much lol. Thanks for the tips!! ❤❤

That hair is beautiful Ma’am. 💛

I gave up on wash and go's when I found out I have ten different curl patterns on my head. It's only ever looked semi uniform on a twist out. Giving in and getting it flat ironed made it worse 😭 Maybe when it's healthier I'll try to wear it out again 🤞

"Basically my hair is dramatic but its fine" 😅🤣

Great video I'd like to add that for those that just ain't bout that take a year, and a day to detangle life. The key isn't in what tool you use to detangle. Its WHAT you're using as your detangler. Once you truly have a quality detangling product. Which you might have to DIY to create your own. Still its worth it when no matter your length. Once it comes in contact with your hair it automatically begins melting the tangles. So then you can use your tool of choice to finish easily, and quickly.

I have no clue why, but whenever I cut my hair to a little below my shoulders, protective styling and doing twist/ braid-outs tangle and damage my hair instead of benefit it. So, until my hair gets a little longer, having a good wash day, using a leave-in and some type of styler, and perserving with a satin scarf has been my routine.

I wish I could see a real type 4 preferably 4c person talk about this. It seems like everyone who says they don’t use protective styling to grow their hair has looser hair patterns.

These are great tips even for those ( like me) who always protective style.

Thank you for stating that price doesn't determine if certain products will work or not.

I love how I always loved my hair. I never even noticed it getting thin and falling out in my PERM DAYS. I never hated it. I walked outside with PRIDE. I even got complimented for how confident I was which surprised me. One day I decided to get it healthy when I saw the trends. Plus short hair was getting annoying. I'm the type who would shave her head if left unsupervised with scissors, so I was for sure willing to grow it. Today I've seen the value in good health inside and out. And I don't even let family tell me anything. (don't get it wrong I take advice) In summary I'm thankful and I hope I can grow my hair to my shoulders in 1 year. A challenging feat for me.

Sis I totally agree...I have decided to give up heat styling. I actually was gonna put my hair in mini twists but I might not now. Thanks

This is such a good video!! I'm so glad you got through whatever was going on because 😍😍😍

I really enjoyed this video because I am not bug in protective styles

Same here, I noticed my hair grow a lot after a year of just going wash and gos

I should try stretching my hair more often. I’m not a fan of protective styles and I have a VERY bad habit of playing in my hair. I do when I’m nervous, bored, etc. I even thought about buying satin gloves because of the fact. Lol

Sis Mercury Retrograde had us all messed up 🤦🏾‍♀️

Great info. I have fine hair with lower density so protective styles are not my friend. Luv the wash n go's tho 😉

So Glad u did this! Loooove wash and gos! The money spent on wigs, braids, etc I can use getting some high quality products that work like adwoa and camille rose. I typically stretch my hair with the banding method. Love your channel!

Yasss spit them facts girly👌🏽🔥

A lot of people say wash and go helped grow their hair.. love bandaging and great conditioners...

we missed youuu❤️❤️

I don’t have single strand knots but I find when I wear mostly wng’s my ends are dryer thus makes me trim more often. Versus , when I wear twists/twist outs my ends stay moisturized & then I’m able to see my growth. But I like wng’s 😫 tfs 🙂

Love this! Encouraging. I love my curls and hate having to protective style. It is a lot of work though. But I love my curls.🤷🏾‍♀️ Thanks Jaelyn

I been waiting for this video sis 💜

I agree stretching wash n goes helps w/ ssks i also do a modified shingling method so when i feel a knot i snip it right there...

Omg that’s meee. I feel like wash n gos helped me grow my hair. I cornrow my hair for a maximum of 5 days and take it out (I only braid to stretch)

Finally someone who is not speaking of protective styling. We need to wash and comb our hair... We ain't nasty with our hair. I wash and go

As someone who cannot protective style because of religious reasons, thank you!!

Love your videos!😍😍

Ok, I’ve been natural since January 2016 and have cut my hair twice. My hair has always been at least collar bone length because I cut it. It was just easier to manage when it was relaxed because it was so thick. Now it’s thinned out some but I mostly wash and go because it’s easier and takes less time. My hair grows at a normal rate. It’s funny to me that I’ve heard people say don’t wear your hair out because of the elements or whatever, but I was like. It’s hair, I want to wear my hair. I don’t always want it tucked under or pinned up, twisted up or whatever. I want to show my beautiful hair. I absolutely love my natural hair. When I was relaxed I wished for curly hair. Funny, I never knew my hair was actually curly. Saying all that to say you can definitely grow your hair without using protective styles. I have never worn a wig. I have never had boxed braids or any other type of braids that needed to be installed. I wash, condition deep condition once a week. If my hair feels dry before then I give her some water and moisturizer and twist her up until it’s time to wash again. I recently came to the realization that stretching the hair is a good thing. Next wash day my plan is to stretch and then put my hair in twists, hopefully eliminating hours of dry time and showing more length. On the other hand I love my wash and goes. I mostly wear them shrunken but am starting to stretch them but I live in Florida, the humidity don’t play, so stretching gets old. We’ll see how the stretched twist out goes. Great video. Ladies, remember shrinkage is healthy, the hair is supposed to bounce back, if your curly hair doesn’t bounce back then something is wrong. My Shrinkage is over my ears but my hair is collar bone. I’m ok with that ‘cause all I want is healthy hair.

Your hair is pretty

After watching this video, I realized that I do protective styles because I'm lazy 😂 deep conditioning once a week (or ever) sounds like a nightmare to me. But I do miss having my hair out

Hi I’m so happy to have found your channel I’m a new subscriber I can’t believe how well stretching work and I didn’t have to hold the dryer there very long. My shrinkage was so bad and my roots get so tangled I was re-wetting and twisting my hair every night. Do you honk will keep it from shrinking up at night so badly?

Yes! Thanks for sharing. I'm a. wash n go girl too and I believe I finally figured it out. :)

You beautiful and your hair is goals for me . you inspire me and thanks for the videos👌❤❤

I’ve been doing more and more wash and Go’s because of you. I wish my hair would just grow already! Lol

Thank you very much !!! I love your comment section. 😁

Watching this video as I do my sew-in 😂😂 I'll figure it out one of these days those knots take over my hair

I only did wash n go’s up until this year... my hair turned on me and now wash n go’s = mad single strand knots 😭😭😭

Can you make a video on how you organize your routines in your notebook ? I love you so much by the way !