Summer in Jamaica is a time where many go off to the beach or pool to relax and unwind, enjoying cool water in the morning’s heat.

They make big splashes in pools and jump off cliffs at Blue Hole, but all this water activity can be damaging to the natural hair.

Protective styles are often used during summer to minimise the damage done, but they must also be properly cared for and maintained.

Box braids, locs, wigs and twists are a few protective hairstyles that are common in Jamaica.

A protective style, according to Los Angeles-based celebrity hairstylist and StyleSeat natural hair care specialist Erinn Courtney, is any style that protects the ends of your hair from damage.

She also listed a few ways to maintain natural hair in an interview with Good Morning America recently.

These include moisturising your hair daily and oiling the scalp. Other methods suggested were wearing a silk bonnet to bed or having silk pillow cases.

When asked about washing your hair with a protective style still installed, Courtney suggested only washing the scalp, stressing not to apply too much pressure or wash vigorously.

Courtney also noted that it is important to have a good foundation before installing a protective style.

She recommended washing, trimming and deep conditioning as ways to ensure a protective style lasts longer and your hair moisturised.

When it comes to the duration of a protective style, Courtney recommended people check with their hairstylist because answers may differ.

Other experts, such as Mielle, an international hair care company, listed being gentle when taking down your hair as a form of protection.

“We lose, on average, around 100 to 150 individual strands of hair per day,” said the hair care company.

They warned those who wear protective styles to take their time because rushing through the process can lead to hair loss.

Installing your braids or locs too tight was another method discouraged by Mielle.

They stated that this too can cause breakage and result in hair loss.