Caring for Braids

Braids are the simplest and easiest way to protect your hair, however if not taken care of properly they can cause more harm than good.

It is important not to forget about the health of your hair when it is in a protective style, your scalp and hair still need to be kept clean and moisturized.  Here are my five tips on maintaining your braids:

1. Always wear a scarf at night to protect your braids, as you toss and turn your braids get tangled and can pull on your hair.

2. Wash your hair every two weeks to keep you scalp clean and to rid your hair of any product build-up,concentrate the shampoo on your scalp.Do not toss your braids whilst wet as they will be saturated with water and they will be heavy, this can cause stress and unnecessary tension on the hair follicle. I like to use a good clarifying shampoo.

3. Ensure you moisturize and seal your hair with good products that do not contain mineral oils or any other harmful products, I always use a light leave in conditioner and seal with my favorite oil.  

4. Protect your edges, do not put your hair into tight buns or ponytails that will cause pressure on your hair line.

5. DO NOT keep your braids on for longer than 8 weeks, you will definitely cause breakage, bald spots and possibly irreversible damage to your hairline. Protective styling is temporary.





Finally have fun with your protective styles and try different looks such as Faux Locs, Goddess Locs, Box Braids and use Marley hair to get the "natural" looking weaves.

How do you care for your hair in its protective style? Do you keep one style the whole of winter?


XXX


Isabel