Caring for Single Braids
Written by Samara on March 3, 2009I recently cut my hair in the beginning of January so I could start over and go completely natural. My hair was only 1/2 inch long when I cut it. I decided to get single medium sized braids last month (about 2 weeks ago). My hair was 1 1/2 inches long when I went into the shop. My hair growth seems to be growing according to schedule(1/2 inch per month). I just wanted to try something different so after 10 hours at the shop I walked out with beautiful braids. I advised the stylist to refrain from braiding my hair too tight around the edges to prevent thinning at my hair line and I only plan on having the braids in for no longer than 8 weeks.
As I was getting my hair braided I remember one of the stylist telling her client to not wash her hair at all. How disgusting! Imagine not washing your hair for 8-12 weeks. That’s completely absurd! Black hair is dry and it needs all the moisture it can get, even when braided so I’ve come up with my own hair care regimen for braids.
- Step One: Moisturize braids daily with a good braid sheen containing water, a humercant, and an oil. If you can’t find a sheen spray that contains oil, then use a light oil spray daily as well.
- Step Two: Wash the hair weekly. Braid the braids into 6-8 sections and rinse the hair gently allowing the water to run on the scalp. Shampoo the hair gently using the finger tips to help lift and remove the dirt from the scalp. Rinse hair thoroughly and pat the hair dry. Spray on a leave in braid conditioner with little or no oil. Apply a small amount of moose and sit under a warm dryer until your braids are dry. Next you may spray the braids with a light (mineral/petroleum free) oil sheen or braid sheen again for extra shine.
- Step Three: Wear a satin scarf or bonnet at night to keep braids tight and to prevent moisture lost.
- Spray the hair with braid sheen daily. Do not spray the scalp directly to prevent buildup.
Don’t keep your braids in no longer than 2 months. Some people keep the braids in longer, but I think it’s best to remove them after 2 months to prevent the hair from matting and tangling with the braiding hair.
Related Articles
6 Responses to “Caring for Single Braids”
-
Maya said:
1[ Reply to this comment ]I never tell my customers to not wash their hair, but instead I teach them the right way to do so. I don’t know if you did part your braids by making sectional big braids, but that what I recommend my clients so they won’t lose any braids or have them tangled. Everything else you did is about right. Please check my site for useful resources about African hair braiding.
Good luck with your new natural beauty style. -
Samara said:
2[ Reply to this comment ]I never tell my customers to not wash their hair, but instead I teach them the right way to do so. I don’t know if you did part your braids by making sectional big braids, but that what I recommend my clients so they won’t lose any braids or have them tangled. Everything else you did is about right. Please check my site for useful resources about African hair braiding.
Good luck with your new natural beauty style.Thanks for the input on caring for single braids. I will get back to you via email.
-
mhowellred said:
3[ Reply to this comment ]Hi Samara. I Hope that you can offer me some type of plan to jump start my hair growth. I’m a 46 her old Mother of 3. For years, I mean years I have been wearing wigs and hair weaves. Causing my hair to become thin and brittle. Just recently I had my daughter in law to use the stocking cap method for weaving. The glue stuck to my scalp which caused severe damage (bald spots). When removing the stocking cap my thinning hair went along with it. So now I have bald spots. I have decided to go natural because I’m tired of the madness of wigs and weaves. Therefore I shaved my head bald. My hair is growing but of course the bald spots are still there. My hair is growing around the many bald spots.I need your help in giving some ideas on how to jump start hair growing in those bald spots..I’m desparate!!!! I’ve been told so much but nothings working. PLEASE HELP. I want to look fabulous for the summer. Thank you so much..Ms. Howell
-
Samara said:
4[ Reply to this comment ]Have you every tried the Organic Root Stimulator Scalp Scrub? It is a good product used to help stimulate the hair growth. Also use the Uplifting Shampoo and Fertilizing Serum in conjunction with my hair care regimen excluding the relaxer. I’m glad you’ve ditched the weaves and wigs. That was the problem in the first place and going natural has many rewards: Beautiful, strong, healthy full hair!
-
mhowellred said:
5[ Reply to this comment ]Samara thank you for responding so quickly. I will go out tomorrow to my nearest beauty supply store and purchase the Organic Products. In the meantime with the condition of my hair I still throw my wig on especially for work lol. After leaving work I can’t wait to ditch that wig. I’m so excited. I will keep you posted with my growth progess. I definitly will have to share this with my sistas. Also tell them about your web site. Thank you once again. You are a God Send.
-
Grow Black Hair Online » Protective Styles said:
pingback:
6Grow Black Hair Online » Protective Styles[ Reply to this comment ][...] Single braids (not to be confused with microbraids), are also a great alternative. These braids are a little bigger than microbraids, which ease in the removal of the braids as well as preventing the hair from breaking off unlike microbraids. When you go to your hair braider let them know what size you will like your braids to be and advise them not to braid the braids “scalp bleeding” tight to your head to prevent the unnecessary pulling that causes breakage and thinning around the edges. Be sure to cleanse and condition the hair weekly and mositurize daily following the braid care regimen. [...]
Leave a Reply
Please remember to be respectful to all the women including myself when leaving a reply and do not add links to your comments. There is a space provided to link your website. Comments with links added to them will be edited.
