Braids help please!

[rockstar]

I'm not used to wearing braids, and I certainly do not know how to take care of them well. I got my braids done on the 15th. I'm at the point where the scalp is itching uncontrollably. I wanted to keep them in for at least 10 days. What should I do? Is there anything to put on my scalp to make it stop itching so much? I have very curly hair so is there anything I can do to stretch my braids, so they won't shrink up?

Any advice is appreciated! I'm dying over here.

 

[JaszyFaye]

I personally use a mix of water, s-curl and hawaiian silky 14n1 to spray on my scalp to keep it moisturized so it won't get itchy.

 

[rockstar]

I personally use a mix of water, s-curl and hawaiian silky 14n1 to spray on my scalp to keep it moisturized so it won't get itchy.

I don't have any S-Curl, but I have water & Hawaiian Silky. Going to go mix it up now! Thanks!!!!!!

 

[lilsparkle825]

anything you have with peppermint or tea tree oil will help with the itching. i use a braid spray by african pride....while my sister prefers to cowash with suave rosemary mint conditioner. what kind of braids are they?

 

[rockstar]

anything you have with peppermint or tea tree oil will help with the itching. i use a braid spray by african pride....while my sister prefers to cowash with suave rosemary mint conditioner. what kind of braids are they?

The oil thing I have with tea tree and peppermint oil is Giovanni shampoo (which I'm about to go running for). They are box braids. Here's a pic. I want to keep them long and flowy, so I'm very reluctant to wash. It will be frizz central.

 

[Nonie]

Personally, if I were to put products on my scalp, it'd make the itching worse. My scalp loves to be free of dirt and products. I honestly don't know how folks do it not washing their hair coz I'd go insane. I live to feel water on my head I think.

Itching could be from dirt and your own sebum so applying more stuff may not help but worsen the situation. (Imagine having itchy armpits and then you get some perfumed oil/lotion and apply it to stop the itching. ) If I really didn't want to wet my hair, I'd opt for a waterless/no rinse shampoo. I haven't used them so can't really say how good they are but a quick search showed me there are lots of them out there. Here are a few:
Tresemme FreshStart Foam Shampoo which is supposed to be moisturizing
Klorane Gentle Shampoo with Oat Milk which is supposed to be softening and gets great reviews
Batiste Dry Shampoo apparently has a fresh smell.

I think some people do use witch hazel to clean their scalp also, which again IMO is better than applying oils to a dirty head.

ETA: Beautiful braids, BTW!

 

[coconow2007]

I'm like Nonie I have to have my scalp free of oils, etc. If the itching wont stop maybe try some aloe vera and lightly dab on the itchy areas.

 

[kbhatcher1]

Definitely some witch hazel, or do an ACV rinse to rid yourself of any products that are making you itchy.

 

[Foxglove]

BRX Braid and extension spray

 

[rockstar]

Thanks Ladies! I was going through it last night. I ended up whipping out a squirt bottle and a dab of Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat shampoo for the worst sections. I some how made it work. It didn't do a great job, but it worked.