Sew-in
With this style, your hair is braided to your scalp with your extension sewn in the braid. To make this removal process easy for you, work by the rows that were braided to your scalp. Separate the first row on your nape, and clip the rest of the hair away.
Carefully take your hair shears, and take your time cutting the thread in the braid very slowly, being very careful not to cut your own hair. Once all the thread is cut, gently pull that track away from your hair. Once all of the extensions are removed from your head, carefully unbraid your own hair.
Braid Extensions*
With this style, your own hair is entwined with extensions* for your Senegalese Twists, Box Braids, Kinky* Twists, and others. To remove your braids, have a detangling spritz, spray bottle with water and conditioner, or oil in a spray bottle ready in order to make your braids slippery for an easy take out process.
If you are comfortable with cutting your braids, cut one inch below where you know your natural hair is; this will save you many hours in removing your braids. If not, or you do not know where your natural hair stops, cut two inches from the bottom of your braids. This will take longer, but you will know that your own hair won’t be cut by uncertainty.
Slowly and carefully, begin to unravel your extensions. If you come across a snag or a knot, do not tug or force the braid to come lose; this will only cause harm to your own hair. Just add more of the product you are using for some more slip, and continue to unravel the braid.
Wash Day Process
Detangle
Once your hair is free of your extensions, section your hair in medium-sized sections; I usually have 6 (two on the top, two in the middle, and two in the back). Apply and massage conditioner and/or oil to your tresses, then clip each section away. Let this sit on your hair for a few minutes in order to saturate in the hair, and to prepare for the detangling process.
Kelly-Ann Payne says
Well, I haven’t had my braids in 5 weeks yet. I did them in July and rebraided again the ending of August. I won’t be taking out until another 4 weeks, and I washed them this pass Friday. I’ll be washing again tomorrow.
Nasya Norville says
How long do you keep them in?
Ramone Semmoh says
Isn’t your hair becoming dreads by now? I never ever had someone hold them in for that long !
Kelly-Ann Payne says
Braids don’t become dreads, there are braids. You wash them while they’re in your hair. Most people that wear synthetic braids in their hair leave them in for up to two months sometimes three, I leave mine in 6 to 8 weeks. If it was my own hair I would have to braid every few days, but the roots are curly about 3 inches long and the rest of it is dead ends of relaxed damaged hair up to my shoulders. Rocking the two textures so soon without my roots being long enough yet won’t look right, unless I blow dry it very few days and that will be more damaging than wearing the braids
Prisca Nagujja says
Apple cider vinegar has worked for me. It removes product build up and helps with detangling.
Steen How says
Well I usually get braids and would keep them for 8 weeks, maybe 10 if I really upkeep my hair. But I love hot oil treatments after take down. I think that’s the most important step in the whole wash day! My happy place: hot oil treatments 0.0 yasss hunny!
Crystal Jenkins says
Perfect article I just took my braids out last night and was searching the web on what to do …extra credit thanks
Christina J says
Thank you much and you’re welcome!!!
Andrea MoonPearl Banks says
Listen to Kem’s fabulous new CD while taking my braids out. For after, a good shampoo, conditioning and rinse, spray thoroughly with a light oil, and let it air out then put in big braids before bed until I decide what to do with it. That’s my regiment.
mmontgomery says
The protein treatment and deep conditioning do you do this After washing or before? And also what are some good clarifying shampoos at the moment the only one I have is creme of nature with argan oil.