This summer season I am taking out my very small knotless braids in change for inventive low-tension types. I knew it was time to reset when, this summer season, I found a small patch of baldness, additionally referred to as traction alopecia, on the highest of my head from tight back-to-back types.
With scalp serums, a constant routine, and a break from high-tension fashionable types, my scalp is therapeutic. The easy pleated braids that we wore in major faculty with bobos have been reinvented. Low voltage types are now not nearly just a few neat braids. They advanced due to curly hairstylists and influencers. I am not alone. My feeds are crammed with curly buddies who select twists, flat twists, and braids to guard their scalps, keep hair integrity, and reduce breakage.
Felicia Leatherwood, movie star stylist and CEO of Texture Administration, is aware of the ball on the subject of low voltage types. Leatherwood has been mastering pure hairstyles for over 26 years and is understood for Issa Rae’s mushy, low-tension seems that fill our Pinterest board.
Beneath, she spoke with ESSENCE why you must give your hair a break this season and prioritize hair well being with low-tension types this season.
Curl’s buddies let go
Curl buddies embrace low rigidity types as a result of they don’t seem to be thought-about the coiffure you put on simply to run errands. These types are worn to the workplace, on date nights, and through formal conferences. This alteration is main increasingly more folks to include twists, mini braids, and mushy curls into their each day routine. Low rigidity types are rising in reputation as a result of they’re accessible, wholesome for the scalp, and maintain up properly in colder temperatures, when pure hair is extra prone to breakage.
“I see folks sporting their hair extra pure and fewer structured, somewhat fluffier,” says Leatherwood. Many curl lovers are additionally experiencing thinning edges and breakage from extreme protecting styling this summer season. Stylish types typically require pulling and manipulating tight hair to attain the look. Though they’re cute, they arrive at a excessive value for hair well being.
“Finally, it’s about sustaining wholesome hair,” says Leatherwood. “We have to hold it from being pulled and manipulated an excessive amount of. » She attracts inspiration from a few of her shoppers like Issa Rae. Purchasers who know the best way to hold their hair wholesome in all circumstances.
“I take advantage of Issa as a mannequin and Beyoncé, SZA, Yara Shahidi as references,” says Leatherwood. “They’re doing extra of the seems which might be softer, low rigidity, and simple to attain.”
These celebrities redefined low-tension types and made them extra frequent on purple carpets, TV reveals, and music movies, giving their curly buddies the boldness to put on them too.
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 11: Yara Shahidi attends the Kering Care For Girls Basis 2025 Pink Carpet Dinner at The Pool on September 11, 2025 in New York Metropolis. (Photograph by Paul Bruinooge/Patrick McMullan through Getty Pictures)
Low voltage or safety: know the distinction
Protecting types defend the ends of your hair from each day put on and environmental harm. These types embrace updos, wigs, sew braids, buns and sew-ins. Though they’re protecting, many contain pulling the hair again, which might generally create rigidity on the scalp.
Low-tension types depart ends uncovered however scale back scalp rigidity. Twists, braids, Bantu knots, flat twists and flex rod units all qualify, with extra progressive low-tension types being created daily. These types are gentler on the scalp, promote progress, and look pure, though they do not final so long as high-tension types.
Leatherwood notes that some folks suppose that pulling hair again protects it tightly, as a substitute of defending it, it splits the ends. She recommends extra low-tension types to get better from summer season’s high-tension seems.
“Extra everlasting rod twists or curls final with the appropriate merchandise, look pure and are simpler on the scalp,” Leatherwood stated.
What These Scalp Bumps Actually Imply
Tiny bumps alongside the hairline or base of braids are warning indicators. These high-voltage hairstyles? Most are linked to traction alopecia. Research present that any such hair loss impacts one in three black ladies.
Leatherwood says repeated rigidity may trigger folliculitis, an irritation of the hair follicle. The answer is easy: keep away from hairstyles which might be too tight and provides your scalp a break. If issues persist, see your supplier for therapies together with steroids or antibiotics.
She factors out that softer, low-tension types give the scalp an opportunity to get better whereas nonetheless preserving curls wholesome and powerful.
How one can Preserve Low Voltage Kinds Contemporary
Low rigidity types can help you prioritize scalp well being with out sacrificing fashion. Leatherwood recommends merchandise and methods to keep up curl softness and definition. “Apply a butter or cream, therapeutic massage and clean it into the hair, then twist it,” says Leatherwood. “It retains hair mushy and reduces tightness.”
Bantu knots, twists and flat twists hold hair wholesome and cute whereas giving the scalp a break. For long-lasting curls, Leatherwood loves Ampro Curl Wax. “After setting the curls, I coat the hair with it. This opens the curls and lasts for a number of weeks,” says Leatherwood.
Low rigidity types are perfect for the colder months, when our hair is recovering from summer season styling harm and getting ready for winter frost. However you can too embrace these types this summer season, if you happen to want a break from protecting types. By letting the scalp relaxation and decreasing rigidity, these types assist restore progress and keep hair integrity, guaranteeing your curls keep sturdy this season.
Low Voltage Model Inspiration
In the event you want some hair inspiration, listed below are some inventive low-tension types from my favourite wave-making curl designer buddies that you could share together with your stylist or strive at house.
Twisted bun
Mini twists with claw pliers
Low ponytail with twists
Fluffy curls