Hairstyles

Hairstyles are methods of arranging, cutting, adorning or treating head hair to produce a distinctive look. Choices are influenced by hair type, cultural meanings, practical needs and fashion.

Common categories

Cuts: bob, lob, pixie, shag, layered, blunt.
Updos and secured styles: bun, chignon, French twist, ponytail.
Braids and plaits: single braid, French braid, Dutch braid, cornrows, box braids.
Texturing and shaping: perms, finger waves, crimps, twist-outs.
Short styles and crops: buzz cut, crew cut, crop, pixie.
Lengthening & volume: extensions, weaves, wigs, clip‑ins.

Protective styles and maintenance

Protective styles (braids, twists, wigs, extensions, buns) shield hair ends and reduce manipulation. When done correctly they reduce breakage, but they can cause traction and follicle damage if installed or maintained with excessive tension. Varying styles, using gentle fastenings, and regular cleansing and moisturising prolong scalp and hair health.

Installation & maintenance notes:

Use softer thread, avoid glued edges, and loosen styles periodically to allow follicles to recover; inspect the hairline for early signs of traction alopecia (receding edge, sudden thinning).
For extensions/weaves, choose professionals who match extension weight and technique to the client's hair density and avoid excessive combined tension from many attached wefts.

Styling techniques & tools

Heat styling: blow‑dryers, flat irons and curling tongs temporarily reshape fibres by softening keratin bonds; use heat protectants and moderate temperatures to limit damage.
Chemical texturising: relaxers, permanent waves and keratin treatments permanently (or semi‑permanently) alter disulphide bonds — these carry risks of damage and, in some cases, scalp/health concerns when misused.
Mechanical styling: rollers, pins, combs and backcombing shape hair without chemicals but may stress the fibre if used aggressively.

Risks & health notes

Traction alopecia: sustained high tension (tight braids, glued weaves, repeatedly tight ponytails) increases risk of follicle damage and hairline recession. See: Traction Alopecia.
Heat and chemical damage: repeated high‑temperature styling or chemical straightening can cause breakage, porosity changes and split ends. Some chemical treatments have been linked in studies to systemic health risks; follow product guidance and minimise frequent exposures.

Cultural & social context

Hairstyles signal identity, status, religion, age and political views in many cultures. Choices around natural hair, straightening, and protective styling intersect with history and social movements.

Writing tips

Show rather than label: describe the effect (the neat coil at the nape, the braid pattern catching the light) rather than only naming a style.
Use texture and maintenance cues: mention porosity, frizz, build‑up, or the scent of treatment oils to root the scene in sensory detail.

Example

"She unpinned the chignon; the loosened coils sighed free, a dark waterfall glinting where the sun hit the tips."