Need Tips On How To Care For Braids?

Have you just spent your hard earned money on a set of braids? I’m sure you want to know how to get as much mileage out of them as you can!

While you’re out looking cute and tossing your braids over your shoulder it’s important to remember your real hair is under there. The care and attention you give them determines how healthy your hair is when you finally take them down.

Neglect your hair and you’ll have to deal with dry, breaking, brittle hair and I know you don't want that.

Let’s look at some tips on how to care for braids for long wear and hair health.

Tips On How To Care For Braids

Braids are beautiful and easy to handle, but if you don't know how to care for braids the right way you're guaranteed to regret it when take down time comes.

Use these tips to keep your hairstyle looking great and your hair healthier than ever.

Everyday Braid Maintenance

• Condition your scalp with a light all natural oil 2-3 times a week.
• Use conditioning braid spray with anti-itch formulation on your braids daily to keep your scalp happy and the hair underneath the braids healthy.
• If you sweat a lot in your scalp, take a cotton swab and some Sea Breeze astringent and run it along your scalp to keep itch causing residue away.
• Use a light oil sheen spray on your braids to refresh them and add a healthy glow.

Night Time Braid Maintenance

The way you take care of your braids before you go to bed makes the difference between them looking perfect and being a fuzzy mess.

• Wear a silk or satin scarf every night to keep your braids frizz free and smooth.
• Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase in case the scarf falls off.

General Braid Care Tips

• Make sure your braider doesn’t put your braids in tightly. It doesn’t make them last any longer and it pulls your hair out.
• Don’t ever leave your braids in for more than 12 weeks. Every 6-8 weeks is the best time to take them out and have them re-done.
• Wash your braids once every 1-2 weeks with diluted shampoo. Focus on your scalp, letting the suds travel down to the ends of the braids.
• Don’t use creamy conditioners with braids. They cause build up in the hair that makes knots form at the base of the braids.
• After you shampoo and apply leave-in conditioner, make sure your braids dry completely. This prevents damage to your hair from mildew.
• If the braids around your edges get loose, take them out and re-do them. Loose braids weaken your hairline and cause it to fade.
• Always deep condition your hair between braiding. If you don’t the end results will be damage, breakage and thinning.
• Trim the ends of your hair a little bit after you take your braids out, before the next set goes in.

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