Scalp braids, commonly known as cornrows or cane rows, are surely traditional, protective hairstyles of quite a few hundred years valued in many cultures. This hairstyle means a twisted creation of a design close up to the scalp in different ways. While the resulting look of scalp braids is amazing, and there are some great benefits to them, such as protection and low maintenance, it also takes care to achieve safety for your hair and scalp. This is an all-encompassing guide to the best practices surrounding the maintenance and protection of your hair while wearing scalp braids.
What Are Scalp Braids?
Scalp hair braids are a lot more than just a hairstyle; they are symbolic of the culture and an art. The heading is formed through the inter-weaving of parts of the hair that are close to the scalp and then making a continued and elevated row. These can be styled from simple lines straight down the head to detailed geometric designs; hence, they make a versatile option for any lady trying to protect her natural hair or just trying out different styles.
Benefits Of Scalp Braids
- Protective Styling: Scalp braiding is extremely protective for the hair since it minimizes hair exposure to environmental elements and, thereby, minimizes the need for constant manipulation, which many times results in breakage.
- Low Maintenance: There is not much daily work needed on scalp braids after installing them, which comes with great convenience for people on the go.
- Versatility: Ranging from very simple designs to very complex ones, scalp braids provide wide arrays of flexibility where one may determine the most creative and individualistic designs one may put up.
- Hair Growth: When done properly, this kind of scalp braid can help in hair growth because the hair is tucked away, hence minimal chances of breakage.
Preparation Before Braiding
Proper preparation is paramount to making sure that your scalp braids are going to last long without causing any damage. Here are the steps that are necessary before braiding:
Cleaning And Conditioning
Before you eventually plait your hair:
- Ensure that your base is clean and well-conditioned.
- Clean your hair extensively to remove dirt, oil, or any other product buildup.
- Apply some deep conditioner, which will help in the restoration of the moisture and will make the hair easy to work with.
Moisturizing And Sealing
Always moisturize your hair before you start braiding to avoid dryness and brittleness. Use a leave-in conditioner or moistening cream all over your hair, concentrating toward the ends, for it is the oldest and most fragile content of hair. Seal the moisture with appropriate products, such as natural oils. This way, you ensure that your hair is hydrated throughout the period you intend to hold the braids.
Trimming Split Ends
If you have not trimmed your hair in a bit, now is the time to do so. Trimming split ends prevents further damage and ensures that your hair stays healthy while in braids. Healthy ends are less likely to break off, which helps in retaining length.
Selecting The Right Braiding Hair
If you know, you will add extensions to your scalp braids, then purchase quality braiding hair that matches your hair texture. The most common type is synthetic braiding hair, though many people wear it best with human hair extensions. Wash and condition the braiding hair before using it to remove any chemicals that may cause scalp irritation.
Caring For Scalp Braids
This, therefore, means that once your scalp braids are installed, it is very necessary to maintain them to keep them fresh and also protect your natural hair.
- Wash Regularly
While scalp braids do not require a lot of maintenance, your scalp should still be washed weekly to remove dirt, sweat, and product residues. Use a sulfate-free shampoo diluted with water to clean your scalp and avoid disrupting your scalp's natural moisture balance.
Dryness is the most common problem associated with scalp braids, mainly in the scalp area. You can do this by applying a lightweight water-based moisturizer or a braid spray directly to your scalp every few days—something just to keep your scalp nice and nourished and then some natural oil to seal in the moisture. Some good options with this are tea tree, peppermint, and jojoba oils because they soothe the scalp and help avoid itchiness.
To make your scalp braids last long without turning frizzy, it is also very important to protect them at night. You should wrap your braids in a silk or satin scarf or even wear a satin bonnet to bed. This helps to prevent your braids from rubbing against your pillowcase, further minimizing frizz and breakage. As an extra form of protection, you can also use a satin pillowcase.
- Deal With Loose or Frizzy Braids
As your braids age, areas of the braid may become loose or even fuzz up. You can touch up the braids that are part of your hairline or anywhere else along your scalp to give them a fresh appearance. Use a small amount of edge control or gel to lay down any frizzies. Do the same for any braids that have loosened too much.
- Protect Your Hair And Scalp Health
While there are benefits that are attached to scalp braids, you must exercise great caution where your hair and scalp health are concerned, or otherwise you will damage these two.
- Avoid Tension And Breakage
Braids in the scalp cause one of the most common problems: excess tension. Highly tensile braids transfer the pains into the scalp, causing breakage and, in some cases, hair loss through traction alopecia. This must be prevented by ensuring that your braids are not too tight upon installation. Never hesitate to stop the stylist and adjust the tension in case you have a tingling sensation that the braids are too tight.
Some might have irritation on the scalp or even be allergic to the braiding hair. If this occurs, remove the constituents by taking out the braids and treating your scalp with a soothing scalp treatment, or some natural oils can be a good option, like aloe vera or coconut oil. If severe, consult a dermatologist.
Take breaks in between the braiding process.
A break from braiding is actually a part of keeping your hair healthy. You do not have to keep scalp braids for over 6-8 weeks at a stretch. Most of the time, upon removing the braids, you should just let the hair breathe and recover, which means allowing it to be loose or kept at low manipulation for some weeks. Giving your hair a little break prevents breakage and keeps it strong.
- Careful Detangling
Detangle your hair carefully with the help of your fingers after every braid is taken out, prior to using a wide-tooth comb. In that way, your hair will have minimum breakage and all the shed hair will have been eradicated. Make sure to detangle your hair properly when all the braids are removed before going ahead and washing the hair.
After weeks in braids, your hair probably needs a little moisture. Deep condition to restore moisture it has lost and bring back elasticity. This is very crucial in preventing breakage and preparing your hair for the next style.
Conclusion
Scalp braids are a very beautiful and protective hairstyle; if well taken care of, this may enhance hair growth and protect one's natural hair. The following steps explain how this can be done to ensure the freshness of your scalp braids, keeping your hair and scalp healthy. The key to longevity with scalp braids is simple: maintenance, proper moisture, and avoidance of too much tension. Now, with these tips, you can be versatile and beautiful in scalp braids yet still have strong and healthy hair.
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