I'm about to get braids and I'm scared as *@!^

[audacity.]

I am really committed to growing my hair out and I decided that braids would be a good way to keep my hands out of it and really just to stop wondering every day "is my hair growing...it looks longer to me...am i wasting my time..." Basically, I figured that I can take an out of sight, out of mind approach.

I am getting micro braids on Tuesday (and I will ENSURE that they are not too small or too tight - I bought 3 bags of human hair just in case!!!) and I figured that I will care for them the way that I care for my own hair, after all, my hair IS in there, too, right?

I am SO nervous that rather than helping my hair, the braids are going to hurt it! It is funny b/c I have never "obsessed" so much over my hair and what style I get. In the past if I wanted braids, I'd go get them and not even be concerned with the ultimate impact it will have on my hair.

Anyway, I just needed to get that out to some folks who may be able to understand. Thanks for "listening."

HHG!

 

[Jas123]

I am really committed to growing my hair out and I decided that braids would be a good way to keep my hands out of it and really just to stop wondering every day "is my hair growing...it looks longer to me...am i wasting my time..." Basically, I figured that I can take an out of sight, out of mind approach.

I am getting micro braids on Tuesday (and I will ENSURE that they are not too small or too tight - I bought 3 bags of human hair just in case!!!) and I figured that I will care for them the way that I care for my own hair, after all, my hair IS in there, too, right?

I am SO nervous that rather than helping my hair, the braids are going to hurt it! It is funny b/c I have never "obsessed" so much over my hair and what style I get. In the past if I wanted braids, I'd go get them and not even be concerned with the ultimate impact it will have on my hair.

Anyway, I just needed to get that out to some folks who may be able to understand. Thanks for "listening."

HHG!

To help with being nervous & worried check out the crown & glory threads here and the actual website..you'll get really great tips on how to maintain your hair while in braids..hth

 

[Keedah]

Im scuurred too! I want to get kinky twists but the girl that usually does them for me braids way too tight. After the last time I had to take a few out around the edges cause it felt way too heavy. Im going to try to learn to do them myself.

 

[tkj25]

i agree with you that braids -- well taken care of -- are a good "out of sight, out of mind" hair growing style. i'd be extra cautious about micro braids though. erplexed i personally don't do them because i feel they put too much stress on your hair. because the braids & parts are so tiny, i find that they increase the cutting/friction braids can have if left in too long, kept too dry, braided too heavily, or braided too tight. the smallest i would go is pencil sized box braids. maybe other members who've had success with micros growing their hair can offer some pointers. you can also raise some of these issues with your braider too, to ensure she/he will create a style that is not only beautiful, but will result in beautiful hair growth as well.

 

[audacity.]

good advice. ok, now i have a question...

IF YOU HAVE HAD SUCCESS WITH MICROS, HOW DID YOU DO IT?

 

[tyte curlz]

i have had great succes with micros...only bc i do them myself.
I think that when u get your hair braided prep it the same as u would ne style but just a lil more. Also, if you are goin to a shop to get your hair braided go either a day early or at least 30 min before you apt. so you can see how the ladies braid, u can see how they handle other people hair b4 they put their hands in yours. Also try to find a picture of the exact size you want them, that way they can see the image rather than depending on your inturpitation on what is too small or too large. (it can be different from what u imagine and what u get.) I try to make mine a lil bigger than pencil size. 3 bags of hair is a lot its usually two. Also DO NOT let them put SCISSORS OR KNOTS in your hair. the knots they say are used to seal in the style but after a style that can take up to 6-7 hours they get lazy and wont braid past your real hair and just place the knot in the middle of your hair causing DAMAGE. i braid my hair past my real hair and then seal it with a spritz mixture. Also at the end they tend to use sicssors to make the style neat it will cause HORRIBLE split ends once u tke the braids down. HTH

 

[EMJazzy]

Prior to LHCF my hair grew quite long when I kept it braided up but I never took *proper* care of them ie: moisture, not dc'ing, so the length I achieved I would lose thru breakage ....then I was determined to grow my hair out without braids but I started noticing that my strands were breaking because my hair pretty much stayed wet all the time bunning it up erplexed ....so now I'm going to revisit the crown and glory method again since I'm armed with the knowledge of proper care, plus the fact that I desparately wanted to "watch my hair grow" with the use of BT.

I braid my own hair (yes in micros) but I can control how tight they are, how much hair I use (I used to use a lot of hair, the heaviness of the hair was pulling out my edges )....I've corrected all of my past mistakes so now I'm prepared to see the great lengths I can acheive and maintain thru proper care.

HHG!

 

[sholly6]

well my hair is in cornrows and I follow the crown and glory method and my hair grows very well with it. I think as long as you don't have them in tight and take good care of them you will do fine. I hope that help, sorry never had micro braids.

 

[audacity.]

bumping for more responses

 

[ShaniKeys]

bumping for more responses

me too, keep 'em coming, I'm thinking about growing my hair out through braids too.

 

[LittleMissScientist]

Don't be scared, be vocal! If you get your braids done by someone else, just be certain to SPEAK UP if she is braiding too tight or too small. I've never had micros but I think the principle is the same regardless of the braid style (I currently have twists and can't wait to take them out next month to take comparison pics!!). If you're very involved in the braiding process and make your wishes known, you should be fine. HHG!

 

[DeepBluSea]

I can relate to your nervousness. I have also gotten braids in the past, but never thought so much about them until I started taking care of my hair. Be vocal and let them know what you want. If they aren't doing what you request do not be afraid to get up and walk out.

I also agreee with whomever suggested going to the crown and glory website. Also do a search on this forum for crown and glory. A lot of people have had success with it.

 

[newflowers]

I am doing C&G rightnow and have been since December- I have seen an astounding amount of growth. When I take my braids (two layers of corn rows) down every two - three weeeks, I do not have a lot of shedding nor any breakage. You are right when you say treat your hair in braids as you would your own hair. Wash, condition, etc.

Be wary of the "I have to braid it this tight so it stays in" excuse. I think braiding too tightly is the major reason for hairline problems.
Someone was taking about how the braider used a LIGHTER to "clean up" the braids and it turned out they burned her hair.

Be careful. But enjoy your braids and your hair growth.

 

[ckn]

OMG!! I so feel your pain...I've actually had these micro braids in for 2 weeks now and I'm wondering if I did more damage than good. The 1st and 2nd day I had them in they were uncomfortable, but on the 3rd day I was able to pull them back. Now they don't hurt at all, but I'm wondering if I'm manipulating them too much.

I've been searching the internet for tips and its seems that the important thing is that the braids aren't tight and that the hair is kept moisturized. I'm going to try some another braid spray because I think the one I'm using now isn't moisturizing enough (Dr. Miracle-it feels really good though).

My hair is so short that some of the braids have slid out already, not to mention I washed them after the 1st week, which caused more to slide out . But I'm hoping that this is a good way for me to grow my hair out. I was butched by a "hairdresser" on 3/1/07 (she basically cut my hair to a low caesar) and I vowed that as soon as my hair grew out enough I'd get braids and GROW MY HAIR TO THE FLOOR!!! Only time will tell if this method will work for my hair growing goal.

Wish me luck and I'll keep you posted. And if anyone has any suggestions...I'm OPEN!

 

[avanese]

I don't really care too much for micro braids. My opinion
personally, I think they break your hair. But if you do choose
to get it anyway, just don't get it extremely small and tight.

 

[cheetarah1980]

I transitioned to natural hair with microbraids. I have to admit that the first set of braids I got was done way too tight. Thankfully I didn't suffer any damage from it. My hair grew out nicely while I wore braids because I wasn't manipulating my hair on a regular basis. I would get the edges (1st three rows) redone after 6 weeks and keep the style for about 12 weeks total. I also grew my hair out in high school using braids. For me, braids made the growing out process painless and pretty low fuss. My only issue with braid extensions is missing the ability to play in my own hair. Good luck with your micros. The ladies have given you great advice so that having braids will work to your hair's benefit. HHG.

 

[audacity.]

i chickened out y'all! maybe i will get the nerve up in the future...shoot i hope so! i spent too much money on the hair!