8. …and speaking of moisturizing… Keeping your braids moisturized is a MUST!
This, in my opinion, is one of the most important steps of this whole post. It is so important to make sure that you keep the moisture balance of your hair in check while in braids.
This is what makes the difference between hair that breaks between installs or hair that retains every inch.
When braid extensions* are involved, it is easy to forget about your actual hair under there, but you must make an effort to remember and care for it.
A great product to keep your hair easily moisturized is a hair spritz. We have a couple of recipes here for protein or moisturizing braid sprays but for now here’s a quick spritz recipe to get you started.
For a 2 oz. bottle take 10 drops of glycerin, ¼ oz of aloe vera juice*, ¼ oz of your favorite conditioner and ½ oz of water. Pour all the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake. This spritz mix should keep your hair nice and happy.
Deep conditioning* is also part of keeping your hair moisturized so be sure to deep condition your braids at least every 2 weeks while you have them installed.
9. Make sure to not keep them in over eight weeks
I know, I know…you paid good money for your hairstyle or you took 15 hours to get them installed yourself and you want your money’s worth! But 4-8 weeks should really be the maximum period for any extension style.
In most cases, any more time than that can possibly spell disaster for your precious hair underneath because of increased sebum build up as well as your curly new growth causing tangling and matting. So make sure to keep track of the due date for the removal of your braids.
10. Replenish your hair after take down
This is another really important step as well; make sure to have a wash day full of both protein and moisture to bring back a good balance into your strands after the take down.
Here’s a good rundown for a good after-braid wash routine:
► Cleanse hair
► Apply a medium to strong protein treatment according to instructions
► Follow up with a moisturizing deep conditioner*
► Apply your moisturizers and sealers.
With this simple routine, your hair should be in tip top shape and after giving your hair a week or two rest, you can be ready to install the braids again.
So that’s it guys, if you plan on using braids as part of your protective styling regimen in the near future, be sure to have a copy of these tips around to help guide you through!
Andrea Sims says
I love my braids!! Lol!!
Ashley N. Bowman says
Kristie Inocencio, can you get this done to my cousins hair instead of cutting? Call me, we’ll discuss it! (:
Kimberly Champion says
this is how iv been doing my hair for years after my big chop. i love braids b/c i hate doing my hair. they are very low maintenance and i experiment and change color as often as i like. now that my hair has grown so long, i feel i look out of place and over the top with these braids going all the way down my back though. whats a girl to do
Kristie Inocencio says
Ashley N. Bowman I’m just so scared it will pull her natural hair out…
Hrh Caroline Ru Mandimika says
I love braids!! I’m not a weave person. 🙂
Eduardo Alexandre Yoshinari says
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrZBXLkCnUM&feature=player_embedded#t=10
Guynelle McEntire says
Great info!
Mai Garrett says
I had these same braids and taking them out was a mess because they knotted the ends when i finally got them out i lost alot of my edges but they are finally growing back not sure i will get this style again although i did love it when i had it in.
Jordann Allen says
there are black women who have never gotten braids??
Sydney Lauren says
Some that have never had braid extensions.
Louise Griffin says
Prepare for the itch! lol 😉
axe says
I’m here reading all about box braids before i get them for the first time. i’m getting them done in 3 days!!