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Home · Hair

The Perfect No-Heat Solution For Stretching Natural Hair

The Perfect No-Heat Solution For Stretching Natural Hair
jacoblund/Getty Images
By Michelle Darrisaw · Updated October 24, 2020

Heat damage has to be a naturalista’s greatest fear — besides breakage, of course. If you have tight or kinky curls, you’ve probably relied on a blow dryer, diffuser or flat iron to retain length or stretch your curls because the shrinkage struggle is real. But applying a lot of direct heat to your hair will only lead to dryness and loss of your natural curl pattern.

To achieve healthy hair, it’s best to stick to heat in moderation or none at all. Obviously, some natural hairstyles work better with stretched hair, so you’ll be surprised to learn that there’s a method we’re currently obsessed with that doesn’t require any heat: African hair threading.

African threading isn’t some new hair trend on Instagram or YouTube. In fact, it’s an ancient art that women across Africa have worn for centuries. The technique has recently resurfaced among the natural hair community as a heat-free protective style — even Texas natives Erykah Badu and Beyoncé are big fans of the style.

My other momma @erykahbadu performing an On & On/Sorrow Tears and Blood Medly with The Roots on Jimmy Fallon And for y'all who don't understand the hair style, it's called hair banding or African threading. It's a protective hair style that makes detangling easier and it's a healthier way to stretch or straighten your hair (as opposed to applying heat or chemicals). Some say it helps with length retention and eventually growth. It also just looks bad ass! REMEMBER, JUST BECAUSE SOMETHING MAY NOT FIT INTO EUROCENTRIC BEAUTY STANDARDS, IT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S UGLY! ✊🏽 #africanthreading #hairbanding #protectivestyles #naturalhair

A post shared by Does It Come In Black (@my_disemboweled_pony) on Dec 21, 2017 at 9:34am PST

The AMAZING @erykahbadu hairstyle has been getting all type of attention! For those of you who do not know, this hairstyle is called African threading. It is an amazing protective style to wear under wigs because it preserves your hair. I have tried this before and retained a lot of length. Have you tried? How did it work? Are you going to try?#erykahbadu#africanthreading#protectivestyles#xperienceblossom#longhair#lengthretention#naturalhaircommunity

A post shared by BrandBeingRedesigned (@xperienceblossom) on Dec 7, 2017 at 2:24pm PST

The practice of African threading provides all the protective advantages as braids, only it doesn’t stress the scalp and edges like most braided styles. The technique can be used on virtually any hair type, length or texture. In addition, you can wear your hair threaded underneath wigs as a healthier alternative to cornrows. Not only that, it’s a far better method at stretching than twisting or braiding. Natural devotees also sing its praises for the low-maintenance factor. Because threading involves very little styling and manipulation, it keeps your hair intact while it grows naturally.
As you can see in the tutorial above, a thin, matte-like black thread or a thicker colored thread with a glossy finish is wrapped around strands of hair—from the root all the way to the ends. Depending on your desired style, you can leave the thread on for 15 minutes or for a few hours. Of course, the longer your hair is banded, the more stretched it will become. However, to reduce any breakage, threading professionals recommend not banding the hair too tightly or in small sections. If you’re in need of a little heat-free inspiration, here are some dope African-threaded styles we spotted on the Interwebs.

...By Véro Clothing & Jewellery line ———————————— MOdel : @Ismaly Mua Haïr @fossnati ————————————— #madeinmartinique #zannobyvero #instafashion #fashionphotography #afropunk #statementpiece #handmadejewelry #designer #fashion #africa #vogue #ig_martinique #byvero #blackgirlmagic #ig_caribbean #clothing #972 #creole #bold #ferocious #different #french #westindies #naturalhair #feminine #bodacious #afrohair #creolegirlsrock #melanin #africanthreading

A post shared by By Véro (@zannobyvero) on Feb 20, 2018 at 5:51am PST

K I K O 💈 _______________ Muse| @ruby_vint Makeup artist| @casskoncept1 Photography| @imagefaculty Hair| @hairbyope_smade _________________ - - - #africanthreading #vintagehair #hair #hairart #hairartist #makeup #makeupart #makeupartist #photography #photo #photoshoot #potrait #instagood #beauty #naturalhair #hairstylist #editorial #illustration #details

A post shared by _______el H A I R S C O B A R (@hairbyope_smade) on Dec 7, 2017 at 6:55am PST

African threading so beautiful, looking like a piece of art...call me "PRINCESS". BTW,my hair length is making me happy 💁 . . . . #african #africanart #africanthreading #hairstyles #princess #beauty #embraceculture #culture #traditional #different #unique #hair #💁 #goodmorning #goodvibes #brightside #pretty #prettyme #prettygirls #prettyface #black #blackgirl #clolorful #art #naturalhair #naturalhairstyles #slay #babyface #babyfresh #eyes

A post shared by Susan Festus (@susanfestus) on Nov 21, 2017 at 10:26pm PST

Protective Hairstyle: African Threading Pampered With The Ruutos Besties!!!!! ✅Book Your Appointment Today !!!! #healthyedges #healthyscalp #healthychoices #healthyproducts #hairbreakage #hairloss #hairgrows #RuutosBabe #ruutosworks #ruutoscares #happyclients #hairgrows #itworks #africannatural #blackgirlsrock #africanhairdaily #popup #pretoria #africanthreading #threading #protectivestyles #protectivestyle #protectivestyling

A post shared by Ruutos (@ruutos) on Nov 13, 2017 at 11:24am PST

#africanthreading #misskedike #chidinma #stunning #bellaafrolista

A post shared by Bella Afrolista (@bellaafrolista) on Oct 16, 2017 at 8:25am PDT

She's black and proud!!! @Regrann from @farabaleafrica - 📸 @deladee_edison // HAIR GAME 💪🏽 I got attracted to this lady @scllifestyle rocking this African hair at an event where I was photographing, this reminded me of the good old days when Nigerian women never bothered about the Brazilian hair... I couldn't help but ask to photograph her... . . #African #hair #goodolddays #style #lifestyle #natural #light #portraitphotography #deladee #deladeeinnovations #ishoot2stayalive - #naturalhairgoals #blackhair blackroots #blackandproud #publicartafrica #ur4africa #africanthreading

A post shared by Public Art Africa (@publicartafrica) on Oct 5, 2017 at 11:13pm PDT

Been a while I posted here...so I recently installed #africanthreading, I have love this hair style from my childhood days, immediately I turned natural I jumped...While on this hair style it occurred to me this is one protective style that got you hair properly tucked in to the roots...🤗🤗🤗lil or no manipulation for all through. Had it on for 2 weeks and just spritz my scalp once in 3days and kept my edges moisturised...Have a fab October lovelies. Ps, my no make up pics are 😍😍😍crushing on them. #nofilters

A post shared by Chioma Eke (@everything_oma) on Oct 5, 2017 at 4:38am PDT

 
TOPICS:  Spring Hair And Beauty
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