When I decided to stop relaxing, I wore closed braids for a year. But even before that, I had braided on and off to let my hair grow when it broke off. Braids always worked. After the first two months of “rest,” I noticed a difference. Not only had my hair grown, my curls also blossomed considerably. Of course, I had dead relaxed ends here and there that had to be cut off, but that was all.
So I was very surprised that my hair did not feel healthy at all when I took out my extensions last year. In fact, my hair felt freshly coarse. Not only the ends but almost half of my hair felt quite frayed. I couldn’t figure it out. At first I thought it might be because of the hair type I had used, but that was almost impossible because I had used Kanekelon a lot more often.
Braiding curly hair
After deep thought it dawned on me. The hairdresser had shaved along the twists with scissors. “Clean the braid” is what they call it here in America. Some hairdressers do this to get a smooth twist or braid, without small protruding hairs. The false hair may look a bit nicer, but for your own curls this is a disaster. It is detrimental to the health of your own hair because pieces of the curls are actually torn off in an uncontrolled manner.
I was aware of this, but I was convinced that such an experienced hairdresser, who had been recommended to me by an acquaintance, would not do that if my own hair was not completely hidden in the braid. Wrong, big mistake. A year later I am still stuck with the consequences. My hair is growing reasonably well, but the ends still feel coarse. It feels like I have to keep cutting.
I had read about this before, but now I know how it feels and I can tell you; it is not pleasant. So I sincerely hope that you will learn from my mistake and never ever let a hairdresser or someone with scissors or a razor shave your braids or twists.
