How long can you keep singles/individuals in for?!

[Crissi]

Mine have been in for about 9 weeks - I am afraid to take itto 12 weeks as they look really matty - this is the longest I have left them in. I do not want to take them out write now as i am quite busy right now, but i wouldn't want my hair to lock, i would really regret that. What would you ladies advise?!

 

[Fine 4s]

If they're at that point, I'd take them out...I've had matting issues for leaving my indies in for too long. I couldn't even unbraid those things!
Do a oil treatment when you detangle.

 

[Platinum]

I kept my last set of Senegalese Twists in for 14 weeks without any problems. No breakage or matting. I know alot of other ladies don't keep theirs in that long though.

 

[PeanutButterandHoney]

I am thinking 8 weeks at the most.
I would LOVE to go to 12 though
I have senegalese

At the 4 week mark, I am going to get the front and sides re-done.

 

[ILYandY]

It depends on your hair everyone hair is different. Take in consideration:

• your hair growth rate (you don't want to end up staying at the same point due see below)
• your hair manageability (you don't want a matted mess)
• the moisture level of your hair (if your hair is dry you may get a lot of breakage and shedding)
• and the look of your hair especially around the edges

I personally have found that 6 weeks is the limit for my hair being in braids and or singles anything more would be a problem especially since I wore them for hair growth and low maintenance.

 

[beans4reezy]

I usually go 6-8 weeks, although I am shooting for 12 wks on my next go around with braids.

 

[Crissi]

Ok well I have taken out some braids in the back/middle/side and front. I managed to undo my hair ok. There was some build up at the base, but that was it, there's quite a bit of shedding, but no breakage.....

Thank you for the responses ladies!

 

[MizzBrit]

i do my own braid extensions so i take them out whenever i start missing my hair or when they start to loosen up alot..i workout and co wash them often..so they stay in for a minimum of 4 weeks..the longest was 8

 

[PPGbubbles]

It depends on your hair everyone hair is different. Take in consideration:

• your hair growth rate (you don't want to end up staying at the same point due see below)
• your hair manageability (you don't want a matted mess)
• the moisture level of your hair (if your hair is dry you may get a lot of breakage and shedding)
• and the look of your hair especially around the edges

I personally have found that 6 weeks is the limit for my hair being in braids and or singles anything more would be a problem especially since I wore them for hair growth and low maintenance.

^^^ she is right... you have to know your hair... if you feel matting even though you may be busy try to find time to remove them I would hate for you to have a setback!

 

[Ivonnovi]

To help ward off matting recommend:
- keep product usage to a minimum,
- use baking soad rinses to disolve any "gue" that may naturally develop
- /\ use a waterbased/spray on conditioner on the scalp and length

and above all be gentle during this stretch!

Most won't encourage you to go that long but if you're "gonna do it" remember even dreds can be unraveled (I'd recommend using a needle), but you must take time and care when doing so.

 

[KiSseS03]

I try not to go past 6 weeks, 8 is the absolute maximum.

 

[esi.adokowa]

i can keep mine in for 8-12 weeks/2-3 months.
i do my own braids, so sometimes i take them out in 4 weeks, and sometimes i stretch it.
my braids stay neat, i find i usually have to take them out because of ng, not because they're getting messy.

i wash my braids every day.
if you use imitation human hair, then they don't get messy like synthetic hair of frizzy like human hair.

here's some pictures:

about 1000 braids, 5 weeks post

same braids, 6 weeks post

about 500 braids, 9 weeks post

 

[darlingdiva]

I usually keep mine in for eight weeks. I spray them w/ leave-in conditioner almost every day, and I wash them once a week. I also sleep w/ a satin scarf at night.

 

[silenttullip]

I've kept them in for 2 months before now when it starts itching or seems like it will be hard to remove get some ease out spray and remove

 

[hair4romheaven]

I plan on keeping mine in for three months. However I am going to go back to her every 3-4 weeks to touch up nape and other area I may take out. LOL
I will DC every two weeks and moisturize daily