micro braids = worst for hair?

[candibaby]

okay, so i'm contemplating getting microbraids in the next 2 or 3 weeks, but i'm not sure if i should or not because i talked to my hairdresser about it and she said that micro braids are the most damaging for your hair. i've seen a lot of girls who've had them and experienced growth and NO breakage, but i've seen A LOT of horror stories too, girls walking around with no edges because they pulled the braids too tight, or with serious breakage because they had the braids TOO small, and i'm TERRIFIED. i want to get braids so i can grow my hair out a nice bit over the next 1 1/2 - 2 months, but i dont want to damage my hair in the process!

what do you ladies think? and if i did decide to get them, how do i take care of micros?

 

[Brooke007]

Candi-If you're "terrified" it seems like a red flag to me. Go with your instincts. How about cornrows or box braids?

 

[candibaby]

what are box braids ... ?

 

[Shayla]

i have micros currently and have been wearing them on and off (more on than off) for the past six years...they have NEVER taken my hair out..as a matter of fact, i use them to give my hair a rest and as a result my hair grows really really good with them...i think that it's important to make sure that you take care of your hair BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER you get microbraids..

BEFORE
*make sure that your hair is in the BEST condition possible...i always get a protein treatment and then i follow up w/ deep conditioner
*moisturize your hair before getting it braided

DURING
*make sure the braider isn't braiding to tight..sometimes i'll even fake like the braids are tight when they aren't so that the braider will loosen then up a little.
*don't get them braided too small...i usually tell the braider that i want them big enough that i can take them a loose with my fingers.
*make sure the braider braids at least a half inch past where your natural hair starts...this is one of the main reasons that alot of people's ends have to be cut after they take out their braids...because their ends are just left "free"

DAILY MAINTENANCE
*while wearing braids, you must continue to moisturize your hair..i spray a moisturizer on my hair twice a day...when i use my homemade mixture (water/EVOO/leave-in conditioner) i DRENCH my hair with it.
*keep your scalp clean.

AFTER
*be gentle while taking out braids, your hair is fragile.
*make sure that after washing your hair, you follow up with a protein treatment..this will strengthen your hair.
*DEEP CONDITION to restore moisture balance
*moisturize your hair.

everything doesn't work for everyone..just remember that microbraids, with proper care, CAN be used to grow out your hair, transition from relaxed to natural, and protect your hair from heat and other damage. you just have to take care of them!..HTH

i just washed my hair for the first time w/ microbraids (while in the shower)..usually i just use a scalp cleanser..but they came out great..none slipped out..i had to put them in three big braids and wash them section by section, focusing on my scalp...i used my usual shampoo (Nexxus Therappe) diluted w/ water.

 

[candibaby]

thank you so much shayla, i've always been confused with the whole "washing your hair with microbraids" thing, because i was told that you were supposed to use water to take them out, but i'd be too scared to wash them.

is there like a "special" braid spray that can be used as a way to "wash" them without really washing them... ?

 

[LisaG]

I just got micros take a look. I think that they are very bad for your hair if they are long - because of the weight and tugging/pulling that will occur when trying style it wash it. Mine are in a afro style. I just tied it up at night in the morning fluff it out and go. Of course I do all of the other stuff in between though Surge S-curl condtion washes sulfur scalp treatments and whole nine yards. So far so good.

 

[inkysphinx]

I had been using microbraids to grow out my hair since 2001. They did some serious damage to the weakest part of my head--the edges. I know it was the braids because I took out my braids in November 2003, and my hair was growing out nicely, including the hairline. Then, I got bored with my hair, and braided again in January. I took those micros out in 4 weeks because my hairline was breaking off again. Whenever I've gotten box braids, I never had that problem. I would like to gets the micros again, because I love the style, but I will have to wait until the hair in those places is much longer.

 

[LaNecia]

In respect to the thinning edges w/micros I think it's largely an individual thing. It depends on the strength of your hair line, if your follicles can withstand that sort of continual weight w/out succombing to the pull. Mine can't, on the other hand you could drag my mother behind a car by her hair and she'd not lose a strand.

You may opt for something like flat twists in the front and braids in the back. They'd have to be redone periodically but you wouldn't have the weight issue for the edges.

 

[candibaby]

thank you ladies, but i still dont know what box braids are. can anybody give me a link to a picture?

 

[brickhouse]

bump

 

[Truth]

box braids are regular braids...for example..what the Singer Brandy had all those years..those are what u call Box braids...

This summer I wore micros for the first time.. and I had a nice amount of growth from them. I think it's all in who does your hair and how tight you tell them to do it, as well as maintence..KEEP THAT SCALP OILED..lol..My sister did my braids not to tight, not 2 loose just right.. none fell out,could wash and do everything to em.. It all depends on the maintence...

 

[Ayeshia]

Yeah box braids are just regular braids but slightky larger than micros

 

[candibaby]

oh, thank you ladies. i'm still confused on how to wash my hair with micros, i've asked a few people and they said to use those caps with the holes in them (the ones you use when you get highlights) and to wash them using that.. but that confused me anymore. i think i'm just going to ask the lady that braids my hair to show me how to do it.

 

[candibaby]

bump

 

[Shayla]

what i did was braid mine in three big braids...i dilued shampoo w/ water and focused on my scalp...some epopel also use a stocking cap over their hair...and just let the water rinse the scalp...i think it depends on what you really want to do..i actually prefer the scalp cleanser..but i KNEW that i had to wash my hair..so i just buckled down and did it.