A protective style should give your hair a holiday, not a headache. If you can feel your scalp, see your edges, and hold the style loosely with two fingers, it is doing its job.
Flat twists with a loose root
Keep the first two centimetres of every twist loose so no weight sits on the hairline. Secure with a satin scarf rather than gel.
Two-strand twists from your own hair
Nothing added, nothing pulling. Wear them for two weeks, then unravel for a defined twist-out.
Cornrows with a hidden part
Ask for a centre part that does not pull, and a braider who stops the moment you wince. Pain is not a sign of a good install.
Signs it is time to take a style down: visible bumps along the hairline, itching that does not settle, or a headache that lasts past the first hour.