Whether you're natural or not, there are so many reason to rock a protective style during the summer. Beyond shielding your hair from the harsh sun, styles like braids, twists, or faux locs can reduce excess breakage from heat styling, increase length retention, and protect against environmental damage. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that they look pretty fabulous. However, the biggest misconception is thinking you can skip washing your braids in effort to preserve your style.
Although braids can last anywhere between two to eight weeks depending on which kind you go for and how you wear them, you should be prepared to cleanse roughly every two to three weeks. If you’ve been swimming (or happen to sweat a lot), your scalp will require a bit of TLC. Think gentle (but thorough) with an emphasis on the partings.
Still on the fence? Every shampoo doesn’t have to turn into a frizzy disaster. We checked in with a few experts to share their methods to help ensure your strands stay in tip-top shape.
1. Start by pretreating your hair
Even before you install your braids, a bit of legwork is required for your natural hair. “Braids can give your hair some rest, but it’s important to have them done by a professional who knows not to make them too tight and properly maintain them,” shares celebrity hairstylist Kim Kimble, who works with Beyoncé, Zendaya, and Rihanna. “Before braiding, wash and condition your hair regularly and use hydrating deep conditioning treatments that will add moisture to your hair,” she adds. We're big fans of these treatments found on Vivrant Beauty.
2. Don't rub your braids as you wash them
“The best thing to do is to wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo to get rid of the dirt and buildup in your scalp,” explains celebrity hair artist Hairbysusy, who’s responsible for some of Solange Knowles' and Zoë Kravitz’s braided looks. “Wash your hair from scalp to end, with the movement going in a vertical angle—this will prevent frizziness at the roots and braids.” Pending the type of hair (think human vs. synthetic), a small dollop of conditioner should be used on the ends only.
Immediately after washing, texture expert at Styles New York Salon and Mizani educator Daryce Brown-Willis recommends using a hot oil treatment to rehydrate your stressed scalp. “Spraying braids daily with Mizani True Textures Style Refresher Milk will also keep your hair hydrated," she says. "The main oil ingredients will penetrate the hair shaft rather than sitting on top of your hair as a traditional oil would.”
3. Dry them all the way before styling
Damp braids that aren’t properly dried can lead to some really pleasant scalp issues (*S) like dandruff, fungus, and mildew—to name a few of the horrors. “It's best to sit under a hooded dryer for at least 30 minutes,” explains Kari Williams, trichologist and founder of Mahogany Hair Revolution Salon. “If you don't have a hooded dryer, you can let your braids air dry for a full day. Do not pull the braids up into a style until they are completely dry.”
4. Make astringents your BFF
Need to skip hopping in the shower? “Sea Breeze and/or Witch Hazel are a quick and easy way to remove dirt and buildup from your scalp without washing,” says Williams. “These two products are astringents that will break down dirt and oil on your scalp, and they're a great option if you're trying to increase the longevity of your style.”
5. Listen to your scalp
Remember, even if your hair is looking good, keeping your braids in for too long is big no-no. “As hair that sheds begins to accumulate, you'll need to get rid of it, “ explains Brown-Willis. "This can add extra stress on your own hair due to the added weight." When your scalp starts telling you it's had enough (read: It gets uncomfortably itchy or feels heavy), that's when your braids will need to come out all together.
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