MINI TWIST QUESTIONS..TO TWIST OR NOT TO TWIST?

My Mini Twists: October 2015

Why should I even wear mini twists? How long should I keep them in? How to install them, on wet or on dry hair? How do I keep my hair and scalp clean while wearing them? Will they lock? How do I take them down properly?...These are the questions I had and I did my research for more than 1 year before even trying it on myself.  I just wish I had tried mini twists during my 1st year of my natural hair journey. Better late than never but here's some answers to those commonly thought of questions.

WHY? BECAUSE OF LENGTH RETENTION!
This is what's known as a protective style. There are many to choose from. A protective style will be low manipulation, not daily restyling but a set style where my hair can be left unbothered for at least 1 week at a time. Protective styles really do ensure that your ends are preserved for the time that the roots are growing in so that you can see your full growth potentional without breaking your ends with daily styling. I will be using mini twists repeatedly in 2016 to see my hair growth more than ever!

HOW LONG TO KEEP MINI TWISTS? IT DEPENDS!
Your hair is very unique to you but in general people shed hair daily and if you do not remove the shedding from the hair that's still attached to the scalp, it will cause matting, tangles, breakage, and stress! I never went more than 2 weeks without removing my shedding. I've seen others go up to 1 month sucessfully but all hair is not the same. So I say try 1 week first then 1.5 then 2...you'll see the difference in shedding and be able to choose a personal limit for yourself. If not try buns, braids, wigs, or flat twists. There are many styles to choose from that fit your personality and lifestyle just check youtube and search "natural hair protective styles" to see options.

HOW TO INSTALL? USE A STRATEGY THAT SUITS YOUR HAIR. (TECHNIQUES ARE ON YOUTUBE)
I install on clean, deep conditioned hair to ensure I can go 2 weeks with moisture inside my strands, and no itchy scalp. I have done mini twists on wet and dry hair and my personal favorite is on dry stretched hair. The reason I choose dry is because of shrinkage I get when wet, it slows me down to have to navigate my tightly coiled hair always re detangling with my fingers as I go. I stretched my hair by twisting it into about 9 sections after the cleansing and conditioning. I always air dry overnight after locking in the moisture with a natural oil, and a thick natural based twisting creme. My hair is like butter after this!

HOW TO KEEP MINI TWISTS CLEAN? BY NOT OVER USING PRODUCTS AND WASHING AS NEEDED.
I say as needed because if you're active and sweat a lot you need to cleanse or at least rinse off your twists during the week. Sweat contains salt and water and saltwater is naturally very drying to the hair and scalp. You can try Apple cider vinegar mixed with water 50/50, it has many benefits for the hair and skin and you'll avoid using drying shampoos too often. There are moisturizing shampoos as well like shea moisture for those not willing to try vinegar...which really works, but to each their own! Also, I try to stick to a simple spritzing of water and natural oils to keep my twists happy and ill only add a creme to the ends if needed.

WILL THEY LOCK? NO!...UNLESS YOU WANT THEM TO.
If you want locks, mini twists can start your journey but for me I want to be able to wear my hair out in an afro every now and then. Mini twists won't lock if they're installed properly (reference YOUTUBE FOR TIPS). Also, keep them in for shorter periods of time to reduce the amount of shedding that gets trapped.

HOW TO REMOVE MINI TWISTS SAFELY? WATER, CONDITIONER, AND PATIENCE!
It's not hard to remove them especially if you kept it moisturized,  clean, and didn't wait too long of course. I also try doing medium mini twists instead of going micro on them. Its easier for me and my hair type doesn't like tiny twists..I tried it. Never again lol. I untwist my hair in sections using ONLY MY FINGERS to smooth the conditioner and water until the shedding is removed. I retwist each large section to prevent retangling before moving on to another twist. There are video tutorials on youtube of course just type "mini twist takedown" in the search bar. I never rush with my hair because it's very delicate and I have a goal to reach!

Well that's my mini twist questions answered in a way that I hope will inspire you to give this protective style a try for yourself! THANK YOU 

...and remember that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.