I must aplogize.......

[Guyaneek]

Many of us with really kinky natural hair use this method faithfully. It is the only way we can come out of the washing or co washing experience with less tangles, snarles, low manipulation and our sanity in tack.

We either band the hair, twist the hair or braid the hair while it is being washed.

Won't even think about washing our hair any other way. It saves time I think for any hair type as well as cut down on the tangles.

I highly recommend it.

Exactly! I stumbled upon this method by chance and I won't be going back. Lose much less hair and detangling is so simple I don't mind washing more often. I am able to reach my scalp and I'm certain my hair is just as clean as it would be if it weren't in braids. Try it before you knock it! Its da bomb!!!

 

[Guyaneek]

For those of you with questions about the ins & outs of washing in braids, this is what I do (note that I have relaxed/texlaxed shoulder length hair):


My Regimen for Washing in Braids:
PRE-WASH
-Start with dry hair
-Spray roots with diluted S-Curl to soften and help detangle
-Part hair into 4 sections
-Comb through each section GENTLY with wide-tooth & medium-toothed seamless combs (this is my detangling step)
-Braid each section loosely and secure ends with ouchless ponytail holder

WASHING
-Wet braided hair in shower
-Pour diluted shampoo (from an old squeeze bottle) over each braided section
-Massage diluted poo into scalp (massaging scalp gently) and squeeze lather into braids
-Rinse & repeat if necessary
-Squeeze excess water from braids

DEEP CONDITONING
-Remove ponytail holder from end of one braided section and unbraid
-Apply deep conditioner of choice to section, working through with fingers (I don't comb the conditioner through)
-Loosely twist conditioner-coated section
-Repeat with remaining braided sections
-Sit under bonnet dryer as desired
-Untwist sections and rinse out DC in shower; apply leave-ins/oils; style

THAT'S IT! It sounds like a long process, but it's really not. And it does save me much hair by doing this. The key, for me, is to detangle my DRY hair before I start shampooing. This gets rid of any shed hairs that might try to knot-up on me once my hair gets wet. I haven't had any issues with my hair not getting "clean" because of the braids. Just make sure you squeeze the shampoo lather into each braid to clean it.

HTH!

This is virtually the same method I use. I also think the trick is detangling while dry and it works wonders. The only difference in our methods is that I dc in the same plaits. I don't take them out until I bun my hair.

 

[Blossssom]

Yep. As I'm rinsing out the conditioner, I comb out with my shower comb then a finer toothed seamless comb. My hair isn't tangled much at this point.

Okay, so you're still detangling with a comb... that's when a lot of people (not me) detangle anyway is when the conditioner is running out.

I'm just not understanding why your hair has to be plaited for the wash. There has to be a comb to detangle, at some point, even if you rinsed out the conditioner in plaits, but you're ready to style and you use a comb, right.

Do you think you lose less hair doing a "plait wash"? I like the "comb out" before shampooing. Get rid of the shedded hair before you even start the process.

 

[preciousjewel76]

Okay, so you're still detangling with a comb... that's when a lot of people (not me) detangle anyway is when the conditioner is running out.

I'm just not understanding why your hair has to be plaited for the wash. There has to be a comb to detangle, at some point, even if you rinsed out the conditioner in plaits, but you're ready to style and you use a comb, right.

Do you think you lose less hair doing a "plait wash"? I like the "comb out" before shampooing. Get rid of the shedded hair before you even start the process.

I like washing in braids because I feel like my hair gets tangled when I wash it "loose". Prior to LHCF, I would just dump shampoo on my wet hair and start manipulating it in a big pile on top of my head. I'd rinse and add conditioner, but there would still be tangles (mind you, I was using different products then). I feel like braiding my hair before washing keeps the tangles caused by shampoo manipulation at bay.

Is there a different way to shampoo hair while it's loose, that doesn't result in tangles? Like shampooing from the ends to the roots or something similar? Just curious....

 

[Jas123]

I braided my hair in 4 loose plaits and washed my hair and I did not have to spend any time detangling it. My hair was soft from the time I started washing it. I didn't try it sooner because I thought that it would take up too much of my time with the braids, but I usually spend more time detangling it at the end of the wash. I lost less hair. I love this method.

ITA...I love this method and it keeps me from tangling my hair even further by piling all my hair on the top of my head..and waaayyy less hair loss..it's like a low manipulation washing

 

[MoMo]

This method has truly saved my hair. I used to tangle somethin awful becuz I'm texlaxed. I only detangle after deep conditioning and under running water and I lose very minimal hair. I absolutely love it!!!!

 

[Empress Yahudah]

I think im gonna try this method when i wash next week...My hair tangles sumthing awful..I think i might do like Guyaneek and keep it braided while DC

 

[HersheyKiss0903]

There are many people who shampoo and condition with distilled water due to hard water issues. Are you guys braiding for washes also and if so, are you able to rinse effectively without shower pressure?