Braided hairstyles have stood the test of time as protective styles for women aiming to grow longer, stronger hair. While some achieve their hair goals with braids, others face damage and breakage. This comprehensive guide provides valuable insights and tips to ensure you make the most out of braided styles.
Preparing for Braids
Before diving into braid extensions, it's crucial to assess your hair's strength and readiness for the extra weight and tension. Start with a strong protein treatment followed by a moisturizing one at least twice before braiding. Use a clarifying shampoo to clean your scalp thoroughly, ensuring it's free from excess products. Opt for a moisturizing product rich in natural ingredients like coconut oil or olive oil to keep your strands hydrated.
Detangle your hair thoroughly using a wide-toothed comb, addressing any tiny knots with your fingers. Resolve scalp issues like dandruff or dryness before braiding. This preparation lays the foundation for healthy, long-lasting braids.
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Tips for Properly Installed Braids
Proper installation is key to maximizing hair growth while avoiding breakage. Ensure smaller parts when braiding, incorporating less hair into each braid to distribute weight evenly. Avoid creating braids larger than the part, as this can lead to excess tension and breakage.
1. Optimal Part Size:
- Smaller Than Half an Inch: Create parts smaller than half an inch by half an inch. This distributes the weight evenly, preventing excess tension on individual strands.
2. Avoid Oversized Braids:
- Part Size vs. Braid Size: Braids should never be bigger than the part. Using too much hair per section can cause excessive weight on individual strands, leading to breakage.
3. Edge Protection:
- Skip Braiding All Edges: Avoid braiding all of your edges. The edges are delicate and prone to breakage. Leave out the very front, using larger sections to distribute tension.
4. Leave Front Hair Untouched:
- Gentle Styling for Front Hair: Leave out the very front and apply a pomade with a scarf for ten minutes for a smooth look. Braiding the front tightly can lead to breakage.
5. Use Less Hair Near Edges:
- Reduce Weight Near Edges: Apply less hair near your edges to avoid excessive weight. Redo them when they get loose to prevent continuous tension on the same region.
6. Optimal Tightness:
- Avoid Excessive Tightness: Ensure braids are not too tight. Tight braids do not promote hair growth and can lead to damage, tension headaches, and bumps.
7. Balanced Braiding:
- Distribute Tension: Use larger sections when braiding the front to distribute tension across more hair strands. Balance the tightness to achieve a comfortable yet secure style.
8. Mindful Braiding Duration:
- Maximize Hair Growth: Properly installed braids are key to maximizing hair growth. Avoid leaving braids in for too long to prevent breakage and thinning hair.
9. Proper Scalp Health:
- Address Scalp Issues: Solve any scalp issues before braiding, such as dandruff or dry itchy scalp. A healthy scalp contributes to overall hair strength.
10. Regular Maintenance:
- Check and Redo: Regularly check the condition of your braids. Redo them if they get loose to maintain a consistent level of tension.
11. Avoid Braiding All Edges:
- Protect Weak Edges: The edges of your hair are weak. Avoid braiding them tightly and leave out the very front to minimize tension and breakage.
Take extra care with your edges, avoiding tight braiding and leaving out the very front for a smoother look. Maintain a balance between braiding tightness and comfort to prevent headaches and bumps. Follow these guidelines for a flawless and damage-free braided style.
Maintenance & Cleansing
Washing braid extensions requires a strategic approach. Split your hair into sections, apply diluted shampoo to the scalp, and gently rub to lift dirt. Band your hair during the washing process to prevent matting. Use diluted shampoo to cleanse the braids thoroughly, ensuring proper rinsing. Apply deep conditioner and regular conditioner, avoiding the scalp, and rinse well to prevent build-up.
1. Strategic Washing Technique:
- Section Your Hair: Split your braids into four manageable sections.
- Diluted Shampoo Application: Use watered-down shampoo and gently apply it to your scalp with your fingers. Rub gently to lift dirt off the scalp.
- Address Product Buildup: If you have product buildup, a soft baby toothbrush can help. Be gentle to avoid damaging your braids.
2. Band Your Braids During Washing:
- Prevent Matting: Banding your hair during the washing process ensures that your braids remain in a downward position, preventing matting. This step is crucial for easy maintenance.
3. Thorough Cleansing:
- Additional Shampoo Application: Pour more diluted shampoo over your head and squeeze sections of your braids. Ensure the shampoo penetrates the braids to cleanse the hair inside.
- Rinsing: Run your head under water until it rinses clean. Keep your hair banded to avoid tangling during this process.
4. Conditioning Routine:
- Deep Conditioner Application: Apply a deep conditioner to your braids, focusing on the length of your hair. Avoid applying it to the scalp to prevent buildup.
- Regular Conditioner: Follow up with a regular conditioner, ensuring thorough rinsing to avoid residue.
5. Banding Until Partially Dry:
- Prevent Shape Settling: Keep your braids banded until they are about 50 percent dry. This prevents your hair from drying with the shape of the bands, facilitating easier detangling later.
6. Moisturizing for Hydration:
- Liquid Moisturizer or Braid Spray: Use a liquid moisturizer or braid spray twice daily. Liberally spray it on to keep your hair hydrated. Liquid moisturizers penetrate the braids better, preventing buildup.
7. Scalp Care with Oils:
- Keep Your Scalp Happy: Regularly apply oils to your scalp to maintain overall scalp health. Oils such as coconut oil or olive oil work well.
Moisturize regularly using a liquid moisturizer or braid spray to keep your hair hydrated. Remember to care for your scalp with oils for overall health.
Uninstall Braid Extensions
Properly removing braid extensions is as crucial as installing them. Use a water, conditioner, and oil mix to make the hair more pliable during the unraveling process. Detangle each section immediately after removal, avoiding combing through and causing unnecessary stress. Limit braids to a maximum of two months to prevent excessive shedding and knots.
1. Prepare a Water, Conditioner, and Oil Mix:
- Enhance Slipperiness: Create a mix of water, conditioner, and oil to make your hair more slippery and pliable during the unravelling process.
2. Section-by-Section Approach:
- Minimize Tension: Unravel each braid section by section rather than attempting to tackle one large section. This minimizes tension on your hair and prevents breakage.
3. Gentle Detangling Instead of Combing:
- Avoid Combing: Do not run a comb through your hair. Instead, gently remove any residue at the base of each section and pull the hair apart with your fingers. This helps prevent unnecessary stress and damage.
4. Expect Normal Shedding:
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Understand Hair Shedding: Keep in mind that a certain amount of hair shedding is normal. On average, we shed about 100 hairs per day. If your hair has been braided for an extended period, the shed hair is only now being removed.
5. Limit Braids Duration:
- Prevent Tangles and Knots: Avoid leaving braids in your hair for more than 2 months. Extended wear can lead to more hair loss due to tangles and knots. A timely removal prevents a nightmare detangling session.
6. Detangle Immediately After Removal:
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Address Loose Ends: Once a braid section is removed, detangle it immediately. This prevents the hair from drying with the shape of the bands and makes detangling easier.
7. Avoid Running a Comb Through Wet Hair:
- Prevent Breakage: Wet hair is more susceptible to breakage, so avoid running a comb through it in this state. Detangle gently with your fingers and proceed with care.
8. Be Mindful of Residue:
- Check for Residue: Inspect each section for any leftover residue from products or extensions. Cleanse your hair thoroughly to ensure it's residue-free.
9. Embrace the Two-Month Rule:
- Prioritize Hair Health: Adhere to the two-month guideline for removing braids. While the styling process may take a few hours, the health of your hair is a worthy investment.
Make the braid removal process efficient, gentle, and conducive to maintaining the health and strength of your natural hair. Uninstalling braids with care ensures a positive transition back to your hair.