You've probably read about it or seen pictures (by Naomi Campbell) of the damage that braids can cause. The fact is that braids themselves do not damage your hair. Extensions are meant to give your hair, frizzy or not , a rest so that it can grow. If this is your goal, read here how to prevent damage from braids.
I chose to have my hair braided with extensions because my hair naturally gets tangled easily and I wanted to enjoy my cornrows for a little longer. This was the first and last time because the cornrows were braided way too tight. It was so bad that I couldn't sleep. The only reason I didn't take the braids out right away was because I didn't want to stay up until 4 am to take my hair out. Don't let this happen to you. Tell the braider right away that it feels too tight.
We often think we are skilled in the care of our hair, but most of us make big mistakes with our hair care rituals. Especially when it comes to braids, extensions and weaves. The 8 most common mistakes with braids and extensions are discussed here. Some may surprise you, but these tips can really prevent you from all kinds of dramas.1. The first and most common mistake made when wearing extensions is: neglect. When your hair is braided, it does not mean that you can stop taking care of your own hair. Absolutely not. Wash your hair regularly with a pH neutral shampoo such as the Going Natural Herbal Shampoo that does not leave residue. Also take care of the scalp with the Scalp Conditioning Spray to prevent itching and flaking.
2. Blow-dry hair may be easier for the braider to work with, but that doesn’t mean it’s good for your hair. Especially if you have frizzy hair. Blow-drying can cause serious damage, and putting extensions on damaged hair will definitely not help the condition of your hair. Avoid blow-drying to prevent damage.
If you must use a blow dryer, set it to the lowest setting possible, use a product to protect your hair strands such as Silky Shea Hair Butter which not only protects against heat but also works as a nourisher. Only detangle. Do not blow dry hair smooth.
3. Another big mistake that almost everyone makes is to leave the braids in the hair for too long. Leaving extensions in for too long makes it harder to take them out. This increases the chance that your own hair will be damaged when removing the extensions. You can easily prevent this by leaving your braids in for no more than three months. Also ask the braider to re-do the braids along the hair edges every two or three weeks if necessary, because this hair is more sensitive and more easily breakable.
4. A surprising mistake when using extensions is the use of conditioners. For your own hair, a conditioning treatment is fine. Unfortunately, this does not apply when you wear braids. Conditioners, leave ins and deep conditioners leave a film on your hair strands to make the hair supple, but this extra layer causes a build-up of product residue, especially between your own hair strands and the extensions. This build-up makes it even more difficult to loosen braids. So never use a conditioning shampoo when you have extensions. The product residue that builds up makes your hair stiff and rough, which can possibly lead to damage.5. “Niceening up” the braid is probably the absolute worst thing to do. Many braiders shave or cut off the hairs that stick out along the braid to make it look neater. The hair looks better temporarily, but it is very bad for your own real hair. When the braids are taken out, the hair will be damaged and uneven. Using good hair care methods is therefore sufficient to make your braids look neat without cutting or shaving.
6. Although many people love the look of micro braids (very thin braids), these braids should be avoided as much as possible. Very thin braids can cause hair to break and make it difficult or even impossible to remove extensions without damaging your own hair. You can ask your hairdresser for thin braids, but don't choose ones that are too thin. Pencil thickness is suitable.
7. Braiding hair right after using a relaxer is one of the most common mistakes and also one of the worst ideas when it comes to frizzy hair. After a relaxer, the hair strands are weakened by the chemicals, which makes hair breakage almost inevitable when you add hair.
The damage is even worse if the scalp is sensitive and has been cut during the relaxing process. It is best to have at least 2 inches of hair regrowth before braiding.
8. Finally, a mistake that can irreparably damage your hair is braiding it too tightly. It is not uncommon for your hair to be braided so tightly that it causes your face to cloud over, small pimples to form, or even laughing to hurt. These are all signs that your hair has been braided too tightly. If your hair is braided so tightly that the hair follicles are pulled out of your scalp, this can lead to permanent baldness.
So if your braids are so tight that you can't smile without feeling it in your face, take them out. Of course, it's even better to say something about it right away. That will save you a lot of pain and probably hair loss.
Braided hair can be easily and properly cared for with the Going Natural Herbal Shampoo and Scalp Conditioning Spray . See the shop for hair products for braiding, false braids and crochet braids.
