Taking out the braids - Totally clueless!!!!!!!

[rosie]

Okay,
I've reached the 2-month goal. Now, how do I take the braids out. I read that they are supposed to slip out? So if I wet them, then I can pull them out? THat doesn't seem right to me. Do I take my comb and take each braid loose?
Is it better to do it wet or dry?

As you can see, I am clueless /images/graemlins/crazy.gif about this, but I am willing to learn. I read Tonia2002's thread about damage from taking the braids down, but I don't want to mess up my hair. I using the braids to grow out some crown damage.

Also, how soo after taking the briadis out do I have to wait before I can put them in again? How long must I wait if I want to relax?

Thanks in advance for the answers.

rosie /images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[LondonDiva]

Ok here's what I would do.
Get your popcorn and few movies, unplug the phone and tell everyone you're busy for that day. You need to be relaxed and patient as possible for the taking out of braids.
On standby I'd have a damp flannel/towel to wipe your hands, scissors, a bin/ bag to put the hair in, braid spray or something very moisturing like conditioner to apply to the braids and a rattail comb
I'd spray that section of hair very well so it's very moist, cut close to the ends of where your hair stops and then gently unpick the ends with the comb or your fingers depending on the thickness of the braid. Sometime you can lightly tug on the braids and it will unravel pretty quickly. Depending on how tight/loose your braids are secured at the base of the hair will determine how easy it is to take down. To test a few you will want to spray the base of the braid pretty well and gently hold the base and try to slide the braid out, if you can manage this without and pain then it will be ideal and quick for you to do this. I find the sensitve areas when taking down braids are the part just by the ear, hairline and nape/kitchen of the neck.
Good luck,

BTW if you experience any buildup at the base of the braids spray it with some spray and gently loosen it with your fingers. NEVER try and comb thru that part, you'll rip your hair out. If you get some stubborn build up I dabbed a lil shampoo on a flannel and rubbed it into that area so it loosened up completely/

 

[Kitkat]

Great advice LondonDiva. I think that lots of people get into trouble trying to loosen their hair from the buildup that can occur at the base of the braid. If this is pulled or tugged without being worked thru, it can cause major hair loss.

I think that braids will only slip out the way you describe if you use human hair, however. If you use synthetic, you have to loosen the extension all the way to where the extension is attached to the hair. Then again, maybe the braids that I've gotten in the past have always been put in too tight, which is why I could never benefit from this method.
If I'm wrong about this, ladies, please let me know! /images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[legs71]

Rosie,

If your hair is relaxed you have to be very, very gentle when taking out your braids. Because there is new growth vs. relaxed hair your hair will easily snap between the 2 different textures. I have a rattail comb, but the handle part is a very thin needle like end(not sharp though)that is pointed. This makes it easy to separate where the buildup is on your hair. The buildup usually consists of dandruff, product buildup, natural scalp oils and hair that was unable to properly shed through the natural process so don't be alarmed. As far as relaxing your hair afterward give yourself a couple of days because your scalp will be very tender. Years ago when my hair was relaxed and I wore braids(I'm now natural 1 year w/braids)my biggest mistake was relaxing right after and to add insult to injury have my hair braided the next day. Relaxing too soon afterwards can lead to hair loss which defeats the whole reason of getting braids! Hope this helps!

 

[pebbles]

Hi Rosie,
There's a product called unbraid that's made by Better Braids. I would saturate sections of my braids with it and gently unbraid. Like Londondiva said, unplug your phone, get some movies and take it easy on your hair!! HTH /images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[adrienne0914]

even after you loosen all the buildup, PLEASE make sure you comb your hair through thoroughly before you wash and condition. if it's tangled when you wash and condition, it will be matted afterwards. /images/graemlins/shocked.gif

adrienne