5 Healthy Braid Care Tips For Your Natural Hair

Braids are convenient and are a fun switch-up to your natural hair. However, professional stylists want you to make sure your strands are in the condition needed before pursuing your next braid appointment. So, what does it mean to have braid ready hair? This blog post will explore 5 tips to healthy braid care for your natural hair.

Tip #1: Cleanse Your Natural Hair With Shampoo

Every single hairstyle known to any licensed hair stylist should start with shampoo. Shampoo cleanses our hair from dirt, oil, build up, scalp excretions and environmental debris. Going into a style with a clean canvas allows your hair to properly absorb water so we can keep it hydrated and healthy.

Tip #2: Don’t Forget to Condition Your Hair

Conditioning is a very crucial step in your wash day routine. Conditioner reduces the swelling, shuts the cuticle down and leaves a layer of protection on the hair. Shampoo should always be followed up by a rinse out or deep conditioner.

Tip #3: Stick to a Solid and Consistent Cleansing and Conditioning Routine, Even In Braids

While wearing braids or any other protective/alternative style, cleansing and conditioning your hair at least bi-weekly is a must. Dirt and oil that builds up on the scalp can smell, clog follicles, impede growth, and lead to dry, brittle hair. Plus it’s just plain old good hygiene.

Professionals typically recommend going through your full cleansing and conditioning routine at least every 7 to 10 days, based on your lifestyle. This is often easier to outsource to a stylist who can properly see/feel their way to your scalp with product and their hands. 

Then it’s imperative that the additional hair and your hair be dried fully under a hood dryer. Failure to complete this step can cause mildew and molding at the scalp and within the crevices of the style as well as breed bacteria and fungi. The additional hair often needs restyling with heat or tools to look good again.

Tip #4: Make Sure Your Natural Hair Is In Great Condition Prior to Getting Braids

It is important to note that protective/alternative style applications such as braids are best suited for hair that is already in a healthy hydrated state with an intact cuticle. Those with weak, thirsty, brittle, or damaged hair should avoid these styling options at all costs because friction and chronic dehydration are the enemies of compromised hair. 

When going into any braids, weaves, twist, wigs etc for an extended amount of time with dry, damaged hair, you will come out of those styles with even drier, more damaged hair. This is due to the friction applied by hair add on’s and dehydration from infrequent wash hour processes.

Prior to any protective/alternative styling involving the use of extension hair, your hair should be clean and deep conditioned with a quality moisturizing conditioner. If you think your hair needs a protein treatment prior to installation, your hair is not in the condition to receive protective/alternative styling.

Tip #5: Do Not Leave Braids In For Months At a Time

We know that life be life-ing and the convenience of braids can be unmatched. However, it is generally recommended that protective/alternative styles such as braids be worn no longer than 4-8 weeks. 

Going beyond 4-8 weeks can lead to scalp buildup, inflammatory conditions of the scalp skin, increased shedding, and even thinning. We understand that sometimes a break from our hair is just what the doctor ordered, but let’s undertake these styles responsibly.