Braids aren’t only a beautiful way of styling your hair. They can also save you a lot of time on everyday hair grooming. For about six to eight weeks straight, braided hair doesn’t need meticulous maintenance, which can be a significant load off your shoulders.
But don’t think that you can just leave your braids alone for that entire time. Braided hair still needs a few dashes of care and attention every now and then.
Below are a couple of tips on doing exactly that.
Don’t forget to wash your hair still
Hair regularly gathers dust, dirt, and sweat over time. So while you don’t need to wash daily, you should make it a habit to wash your braided hair every one to two weeks.
But instead of using water as you normally would, use dry or diluted shampoo. If you prefer, you can also use a damp cloth soaked in warm water and shampoo. Slowly wipe down each section of your hair to effectively spread the product.
When washing your braids, it’s important to exercise the utmost care. A hardy and thorough washing might leave you with frizzy hair.
Moisturize, moisturize
If you don’t moisturize regularly, your hair will dry up and more likely make breakage. Ideally, this should be done three times a week.
Use a water-based product rich in natural oils. Quality products such as Olive Miracle Braid Sheen Spray by African Pride are great at moisturizing the scalp and preventing hair from breaking. They can help you avoid itchiness as well.
Light oils and hydrating sprays are also good options for injecting much-needed moisture in your hair and scalp.
Sleep with hair protection
Before going to bed, make sure to shield your hair from potential frizzing. One way to do this is to use a silk or satin headscarf that feels comfortable when wrapped around your braids. Not only will this help your braids maintain their beautiful look; it will also prevent your roots from drying.
Avoid cotton scarfs as these can cause excessive friction and leave your braids in shambles. Alternatively, if you have trouble sleeping with a headscarf on, you can cover your pillow with a satin pillowcase. Although, resorting to this option might not provide the same level of protection.
Don’t leave hair braided indefinitely
Having braids for longer than six to eight weeks will damage and break your hair. This is because new hair growth will have a difficult time extending while being constricted.
Ideally, after the sixth week, you should allow your hair to take a break from braiding. Let the hair breathe for a few weeks or even a whole month for proper recovery. In the meantime, try other styles that suit your taste and take advantage of your hair’s natural form.
These are just a few tips for you to take care of your braids. Maintaining hair braids still entail a degree of effort on your part. There are many other factors to consider before deciding to get braided.
