Braids: How Long Is Too Long To Keep Them In?

Kimiche

Kimiche

Well-Known Member
I have braids in now and I've had them in since the end of April. I've gotten the front, back and sides redone though and I have in human hair braids. They still look cool, but I'm thinking that it might be time to take them out. :sad: I'm so used to not having that crazy maintenance of doing my hair every day even though I still put my braids in a little style. I still wash and condition my hair as well. Just wondering, how long is too long to keep braids in?
 
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I havent had braidS since I was a little girl but its def time to take them out when they start matting and getting lint. ewww.
 
I think it might be time to take them out, even if they still look good.

It's great that you are washing and conditioning your hair and braids are a great protective style, but it may be time for you to take them out because braids do place tension on the hair. If you really like them, you can get the same style after you've let your hair rest for a little bit.

When I used to get braids, I'd take them out shortly after six weeks.
 
darlingdiva said:
I think it might be time to take them out, even if they still look good.

It's great that you are washing and conditioning your hair and braids are a great protective style, but it may be time for you to take them out because braids do place tension on the hair. If you really like them, you can get the same style after you've let your hair rest for a little bit.

When I used to get braids, I'd take them out shortly after six weeks.
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So true, plus I'll have some extra time during the holiday weekend to take them all out. :yep:

:look: I don't want my edges to get messed up. I have to take these things out pronto, don't wanna start looking like Susan Taylor of Essence magazine fame.
 
Nonie kept her's in for a year for her transition and she don't look like Susan Taylor:lol: I'll find the link for her regimen...
 
Kimiche said:
Oh Lawd!! :whyme:
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When has Naomi worn braids? I've only ever seen her in weaves and wigs. Either way I believe as long as you don't use too much hair (yarn is best since it's lighten than hair) or make your partings to small and you DC 1-2 times a week, keep your scalp clean, oil your edges, don't braid too tightly and don't let the braids get too loose before you redo them there's no reason you shouldn't be able to keep them in long term.

Hopefully Nonie will chime in. With these current braids I'm using her method of not adding any product to my braids just washing and DCing and my hair is thriving and the braids feel so soft and lush. My edges are coming back nicely too since I never have to touch them (they're not braided)
 
kbragg said:
Nonie kept her's in for a year for her transition and she don't look like Susan Taylor:lol: I'll find the link for her regimen...
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The reason I'm able to keep my braids in for so long is because I redo them one at a time over the course of their life on my head. So I am able to remove shed hair and move the strain of the additional hair from the previous starting point of the braid to newer strong hair, thus preventing a point of weakness from forming.

I also give my hairline a break by taking out the extensions along the front and wearing my own hair as bangs in twists.

I don't know if not using leave-in products is why the base of the braids does not knot up, but certainly redoing the braids does help prevent that too.

I always tell anyone who asks what you're asking OP to please follow the regimen at the link below because it has served many new-to-braids ladies very well: http://www.growafrohairlong.com/braidreg.html Once you get comfortable, you can then adjust the regimen to suit you.
 
Kimiche said:
I have braids in now and I've had them in since the end of April. I've gotten the front, back and sides redone though and I have in human hair braids. They still look cool, but I'm thinking that it might be time to take them out. :sad: I'm so used to not having that crazy maintenance of doing my hair every day even though I still put my braids in a little style. I still wash and condition my hair as well. Just wondering, how long is too long to keep braids in?
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I think they should be taken out after 2 months-but that's just me.
 
I used to be able to wear braids longer.... it seems I have to redo every 4 weeks now. My current style is only 3 weeks and they need to be redone already.
 
kbragg said:
Nonie kept her's in for a year for her transition and she don't look like Susan Taylor:lol: I'll find the link for her regimen...
Click to expand...

I believe she redoes/redid them periodically - i.e. her whole head in sections.

If these are micros in since April I'm guessing you'd have some preliminary locking. They still look good coz what you can see is the perimeter that you've had freshened up. You don't have to take them all down BUT you need to start redoing the rest of them a few at a time until your have a whole new head of braids. That is unless you're okay with transitioning into locs.
 
I agree with Noni. She has a method that works for her and she keeps them up. If that's what you want to do then so be it. Just get a good regi and try to stick to it.

I personally don't like to keep mine in for no more than 6 weeks. I just took mine out yesterday after having them in for only 5 weeks. For me I had a good regi but time permitted me to have unhurried time to dedicate to my hair. Plus it's much easier for me to detangle when I leave them in a shorter time.
 
My friend had some braids put in around the same time and took them out a few days ago. Her hair is very soft. My hair locs too quickly and I could go past 6 weeks or so...
 
i have cornrows. with the crown/glory method, i can keep in them at least up to 6 weeks. Not any longer than that. I usually can't manage the "woolies" otherwise.
 
Tiye said:
I believe she redoes/redid them periodically - i.e. her whole head in sections.

If these are micros in since April I'm guessing you'd have some preliminary locking. They still look good coz what you can see is the perimeter that you've had freshened up. You don't have to take them all down BUT you need to start redoing the rest of them a few at a time until your have a whole new head of braids. That is unless you're okay with transitioning into locs.
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Yes that's what I meant, redo them as they get loose not leave them be for 12 months Lord no:nono:
 
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