The fact that the temperatures are continuing to drop and that the outside air is becoming colder and dryer may have you considering a winter protective style.

However, if you're nervous about scheduling an appointment — especially considering the fact that experts expect COVID-19 numbers to rise in the coming months — wigs are a great option for anyone who wants to avoid going to the salon and instead opt for protective styling at home instead.

It's important to remember, though, that not all wigs are created equal, and even if you already have your own collection of hair, you'll need to take care of all of the natural hair underneath the wig. Otherwise, you may end up causing far more harm than good to yourself and others.

Whatever your level of expertise, we are fortunate to have celebrity hairstylist and author of Get Out Of Your Own Way, Monae Everett, on speed dial to answer any questions you may have about how to safely use wigs as a protective style for your human hair wigs.

When it comes to protective styling, what types of wigs are the best?
Keep in mind that not all wigs are created equal, don't you? Everett concurs with this statement.

"Full human hair wigs are my preferred choice when it comes to protective styling," she says of her preference for wigs. Is it still possible to wear a U-Wig or a half-wig?
It's your wig, so make your choice. But, be careful not to overheat your leave-out hair, as this could cause damage to it.

Even if you are wearing a U-part or a half-wig, Everett recommends that you roller set your leave-out and smooth down your edges. Sebastian Mousse Forte is the product I use for all of my roller sets, twist sets, and smoothing sets. It contains a heat protectant and aids in the blending of your natural hair and wig together.

When it comes to my natural hair, what should I do before I put my wig on?
Bridals and twists are excellent choices for protecting your hair in the same way traditional protective styles are. However, you should make sure they're done loosely in order to avoid any unnecessary tension, which can cause damage to both the hair and the scalp (more on this in a minute).

Moreover, it is true that in this case, size matters. According to Everett, smaller cornrows allow the wig to lay flatter against the head.

Also, don't get it mixed up with anything else. Just because your hair bundles isn't going to be exposed to the elements doesn't mean you can skip washing it. No matter how much you cover your natural tresses, it is still an important part of your routine.

Shampoo your natural hair no less than once every seven to ten days, according to the stylist, who also recommends that the hair be completely dry before placing a wig over top of it in order to keep it clean, healthy, and moisturized. If you don't, you could end up with mildew growth — as well as that mildew smell — on both your hair and your scalp. So, yikes, that's what I'm saying.

Video: Simone Biles Rocks the One Quarantine Hairstyle We All Wish We Had How Can I Keep My Edges Protected? How Can I Keep My Edges Protected?

According to the stylist, traction alopecia is caused by the hair being pulled too tightly in one direction. Occasionally, people will braid their hairline too tightly, causing the area to become inflamed and painful. Some people experience small white bumps on their scalps or a swollen scalp. These are sure signs that your braids are too tight and that they need to be redone with less tension than they currently are. It is possible for the hairline to become damaged and even break when wearing a wig on top of a sore or irritated scalp.

Especially in light of the dumpster fire that was 2020, we don't need anything else to snatch our edges right off our heads, especially when it's completely avoidable. So let's make an effort to leave traction alopecia in the past as we move forward into 2021.

According to Everett, the best way to avoid traction alopecia is to braid more gently in the first place. Neither cornrowing nor braiding should be a traumatic experience. Please keep in mind that it is an old wives' tale that braiding virgin hair bobo wigs tighter will allow the style to last for a longer period of time.

This is a completely natural product. We're celebrating natural hair in all of its forms, from the kinkiest coils to the loosest waves, and we're sharing expert tips for styling, maintenance, and haircare along the way.