Braids and Breakage

[Karonica]

I've noticed a lot of you saying that when you had braids and took them out, you noticed a ton of tangles and just problems altogether. I've been thinking about putting some braids in again, and I need your advice on how to avoid getting those knots at the roots. Last time I did them, I only had the braids in for 3 weeks and I had some at the roots. Not to mention I didn't use any grease on my scalp whatsoever. Just some light oil now and then.

 

[Chanteuse]

Untangle your hair as you take each braid out to remove whatever build up you may get BEFORE your wash. This is very, very, very important!!!

 

[Karonica]

Is there anyway to avoid that build-up altogether? It's really a pain.

 

[Chanteuse]

I think if you wash your hair often and don't use a bunch of products near your scalp you should be ok.

 

[jemini]

If you use conditioner, make sure you rinse it out completely.

 

[chewy]

When encountering a tangled braid, I BATHE that braid in either olive oil or LeKair Cholesterol and work the knots and tangles out. Now this method can get a litle on the messy side however, I'd rather have a river of oil than a river of tears n tangles any day. I minimize the gunky build up by rinsing my hair with very warm water for at least a couple of minutes.

 

[cutebajangirl]

You can try to detangle the hair from each braid with a safety pin carefully.

 

[Dreamn]

well, i wash my hair while is in braids. i do it the way the hair lady says with the cup and mixing the shampoo in the cup. i never have any buildups, i wash once a week. i oil my scalp every nite and when i take my hair out, i use babylove detangler, which is great.

 

[Karonica]

Thanks ya. I will DEFINITELY consider these in mind once I put them in. In 2001, I lost a ton of hair due to tangles. I guess it didn't help that I left the braids in for 3 months either.

 

[cutebajangirl]

Ahhhh and now we know why you got these tangles. You conveniently forgot the time frame huh?

I redo mine every 6 weeks at the latest and my hairline every 3 weeks.

 

[Karonica]

That was just once.

The last time I did them, I left them in for three weeks and I still had them.

 

[melodee]

Also important, do not twist your roots/new growth. Some people do this once they begin to get alot of growth at the root to keep that area looking well groomed and patrt of the braid. i did this the first time I ever wore braids. It contributed to those awful lock knots.
Another tip, remove any tight braids that are weighing heavily on your delicate edges in front or in the kitchen. I have braids currently, and when the lady did them, she took my shorter, very vulnerable edges and attached long braid extentions to them. It sure made my edges look neat, but I lost a braid along with some very delicate new growth on the right side in my temple region( this is an area of trouble for me even without the braids). I immediately unraveled a few of the braids in my most delicate areas areound the edges( I have rather small box braids). Now I do have some loose hair and some kinky edges, but they are staying soft and strong and not being heavily weighed down.

 

[DDHair]

Karonica,
That happened to me in 2001 too! I had to get my hair cut to the style you see in the pics. I had uncontrollable knots, because instead of combing I went straight to using Baby Love detangler and washing with detangler shampoo. Now I know to comb, like I will today or whenever the rest of these braids come down, with a large tooth comb too!

 

[Height]

Sometimes it's the way the BRAIDERS braids your hair. If they twist your hair when first applying the extentions/braids you will have tangles no matter what. It happened to me.

 

[Vet27]

Karoncia,

When i get zillions I usually have the must build (product & dirt) in the front of my head. What I do is put a little Organic root Stimulater Shea butter Lotion on two fingure tips, I rub the base if the braid with (where theey tie the braid) in bewteen my fingure. This makes a big difference, it seems to disolve the dirt. I do this about once a week. I leave my braids in 8 to 10 weeks w/o any problems.

Vet

 

[Karonica]

Thanks for the tip.

 

[Karonica]

[ QUOTE ]
zanzibardotcom said:
Sometimes it's the way the BRAIDERS braids your hair. If they twist your hair when first applying the extentions/braids you will have tangles no matter what.

[/ QUOTE ]

I didn't know this one. Thanks.

 

[Zola]

[ QUOTE ]
honeydrop215 said:
well, i wash my hair while is in braids. i do it the way the hair lady says with the cup and mixing the shampoo in the cup. i never have any buildups, i wash once a week. i oil my scalp every nite and when i take my hair out, i use babylove detangler, which is great.

[/ QUOTE ]

honeydrop215,

What type of oil do you use? I stopped using anytype of oil directly on my scalp for fear of developing excess build-up. TIA.