Maintaining Healthy Hair While You’re Braided Up
Shampooing & Deep Conditioning: I wouldn’t recommend washing your braids while they’re all hanging because wet braids are extremely heavy and can cause breakage at the root.
1. Section your hair into four or more parts, rubber band and loosely braid each section.
2. Secure each section with a duckbill or hair clip to keep it from hanging down.
3. When you’re ready to shampoo, remove the clip and work one section at a time. You can unravel the braid if you want, but a rubber band will hold the section together.
4. Focus shampooing more on your scalp and less on the braids (the lather will trickle down).
5. Use an applicator bottle to get the shampoo between your parts and on your scalp. Diluting your shampoo will allow it to spread easily and prevent it from stripping your hair.
6. Rub your scalp gently with your fingers, not nails!
7. When you’re done with a section, braid it back up if you did unravel it for washing purposes, and secure it with your hair clip.
8. Remember to rinse thoroughly to remove any shampoo residue that might sit and buildup later.
9. One section at a time, towel dry and apply your conditioner generously. This will require you to unravel each section for the time being so you can saturate every braid.
10. With each section saturated and re-secured, place a shower cap on your head and sit under the dryer for 30-45mins. Rinse afterward.
Is there anything you will be doing differently next time you get braids?
