• ⏰ Welcome, Guest! You are viewing only 2 out of 27 total forums. Register today to view more, then Subscribe to view all forums, submit posts, reply to posts, create new threads, view photos, access private messages, change your avatar, create a photo album, customize your profile, and possibly be selected as our next Feature of the Month.

The Mini Twist / Mini Braid Thread

⏳ Limited Access:

Register today to view all forum posts.

Register Log in
faithVA said:
Will this thread be active in 2025?

I'm going to try to do 2 strand twists weekly to keep things simple and build a regimen that supports my retention.
Click to expand...
I plan to keep posting!
We've kept the Crown and Glory thread going that way. Lol
 
In fact, I finished my first mini twist install on Jan 1st! :) I plan to just refresh these. Let's see if my plans work out.
 
I think I'll be doing mini braids/twist this year but only in the back. My alopecia seems to spreading as the other day I found a nice and new shiny bald spot at the front of my crown. I have a dermatologist appointment on Monday to see what's going on. Either way, I know I can't put any extra tension on the area so braids are out. I can kind of do a fat flat twist across without looking crazy.
 
B_Phlyy said:
I think I'll be doing mini braids/twist this year but only in the back. My alopecia seems to spreading as the other day I found a nice and new shiny bald spot at the front of my crown. I have a dermatologist appointment on Monday to see what's going on. Either way, I know I can't put any extra tension on the area so braids are out. I can kind of do a fat flat twist across without looking crazy.
Click to expand...
So sorry to hear about the alopecia. Please keep us posted on the specialist visit.
 
Happy New Year everyone. May the Hair Angels and powers that be. Bless you with a smooth takedown and installations of your twists and braids.
@faithVA - I would hope so. I'm still doing it.

As for me. I took down my twists during Christmas break and installed mini braids on December 30 and finished January 1st.
When I took my twists down, used SheaMoisture, Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil, Intensive Hydration Conditioner and
detangled it. deep conditioned with SheaMoisture, Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil, Intensive Hydration Masque the and then blew out my hair. I felt sooo overwhelmed. Some sections of my hair were webbed together. I'm not sure why it did that.

I finally was able to install the mini braids, not perfect parting but I think it looks cute. I plan to keep them in until March. But I also plan to rebraid sections to keep it fresh.

The whole process was a overwhelming it didn't go as smooth as I hoped and had a few stumbling blocks along the way.

Here are some photos and a comparison:

This photo is form April 4th 2024.
1736055116967.jpeg


This is from December 31-Jan 1 2025
20250102_212905.jpg20250102_212933.jpg20250102_213001.jpg
 
MzSwift said:
They look good, @faithVA !
That's a good size too.

Keep them nice and moisturized and I'm sure you'll see progress! :D
Click to expand...
Aw thank you. You are kind.

I am looking forward to a length where I can put them up a ponytail or something so I can get a second week out of them. But my back is super short so that is a ways away. Just need to get my mind right and stick with it. :yep:
 
Dermatologist visit went well and she gave some valuable insight. I had my hair straightened for a length check from NYE so my scalp was easily visible. She did a scan with one of those magnifying monitors to explain what was going on.

She says the alopecia is spreading but she can tell that the follicles are still active so she believes the new spot is from stress and possible inflammation. Normally they do a biopsy but because I have a propensity for keloid, she said no. She says the potential for scar tissue is too great and that would guarantee I'd never grow the hair again. We also did lab work which showed my PCOS is out of control again as well as my vitamin D and iron are super low. So she had my PCP send over some supplements which I'll pick up tomorrow.

There was no dandruff or fungus on my scalp but she thinks most of my inflammation is from the scalp not being "clean". For this reason, she said no more traditional co washing for me. All my in shower scalp care needs to have a cleansing agent and I should never go more than 4-5 days between washing. She prescribed a medicated shampoo but the active ingredient is ketoconazole which I can get over the counter. She said to use it at least once a week for the next 3 months.

I also need to let my scalp be completely dry after every wash. Because I was wearing cornrows under wigs, I would wash my hair at night and then tie it down to let it air-dry. This was trapping moisture and adding to inflammation. No need to blow dry all the time but I should wash earlier so it can air dry completely before I go to bed.

She did recommend using natural oils as a prepoo to help aid with dryness from the shampoo. Follow up the medicated shampoo with a moisturizing conditioner to avoid further breakage. Grease or oil blends are okay as long as my scalp is dry before I apply. She said no need for me to do LOC/LCO. My hair strands are fine and all those layers are weighing it down in the worse way. A light spray leave-in or detangler (she actually said to get the green apple from Suave Kids) with a drop or 2 of oil should be enough.

What nearly took me out was when she said no commercial hair dye for about 6 months. I do NOT do my grey hair. Like, at all. I use demi permanent color but she still did no. She recommended henna with the full dye release. I told her I'd think about it because I don't want to wait for dye release, nor do I want the mess.

My follow up appointment is on June so that gives me 4-5 months of a solid regimen to try and then re-evaluate.
 
B_Phlyy said:
Dermatologist visit went well and she gave some valuable insight. I had my hair straightened for a length check from NYE so my scalp was easily visible. She did a scan with one of those magnifying monitors to explain what was going on.

She says the alopecia is spreading but she can tell that the follicles are still active so she believes the new spot is from stress and possible inflammation. Normally they do a biopsy but because I have a propensity for keloid, she said no. She says the potential for scar tissue is too great and that would guarantee I'd never grow the hair again. We also did lab work which showed my PCOS is out of control again as well as my vitamin D and iron are super low. So she had my PCP send over some supplements which I'll pick up tomorrow.

There was no dandruff or fungus on my scalp but she thinks most of my inflammation is from the scalp not being "clean". For this reason, she said no more traditional co washing for me. All my in shower scalp care needs to have a cleansing agent and I should never go more than 4-5 days between washing. She prescribed a medicated shampoo but the active ingredient is ketoconazole which I can get over the counter. She said to use it at least once a week for the next 3 months.

I also need to let my scalp be completely dry after every wash. Because I was wearing cornrows under wigs, I would wash my hair at night and then tie it down to let it air-dry. This was trapping moisture and adding to inflammation. No need to blow dry all the time but I should wash earlier so it can air dry completely before I go to bed.

She did recommend using natural oils as a prepoo to help aid with dryness from the shampoo. Follow up the medicated shampoo with a moisturizing conditioner to avoid further breakage. Grease or oil blends are okay as long as my scalp is dry before I apply. She said no need for me to do LOC/LCO. My hair strands are fine and all those layers are weighing it down in the worse way. A light spray leave-in or detangler (she actually said to get the green apple from Suave Kids) with a drop or 2 of oil should be enough.

What nearly took me out was when she said no commercial hair dye for about 6 months. I do NOT do my grey hair. Like, at all. I use demi permanent color but she still did no. She recommended henna with the full dye release. I told her I'd think about it because I don't want to wait for dye release, nor do I want the mess.

My follow up appointment is on June so that gives me 4-5 months of a solid regimen to try and then re-evaluate.
Click to expand...
That sounds like a really good and thorough analysis. I hope you will have good results with the changes.

Some of the things she mentioned I found to be true for myself as well. Some things on the board work only if you have a healthy scalp.
 
@B_Phlyy

Thanks so much for the update! I'm happy to hear that the issue was able to be identified and treatable!!
Of course your health and scalp health are most important. Wow, very specific recommendations! Is your doc a Black lady or POC?

I'm interested to see how your hair progresses under the new regi.
GL to you! :)
 
MzSwift said:
@B_Phlyy

Thanks so much for the update! I'm happy to hear that the issue was able to be identified and treatable!!
Of course your health and scalp health are most important. Wow, very specific recommendations! Is your doc a Black lady or POC?

I'm interested to see how your hair progresses under the new regi.
GL to you! :)
Click to expand...
My dermatologist is a white woman who was trained by a POC.
 
I think that I'm going to try and spend the cold months in mini twists and the warm months in medium and jumbo. The mini twists have been working well for me and they are such low maintenance. I won't be installing my next set until after next weekend.
 
Current install that I finished on Sunday. The French braid in the middle is wear the thinning is worst. You can really tell when I tried to part for braids. This was blow dried hair with no holding agent. Plan is to leave these in for about 4 weeks.
 

Attachments

  • 20250128_012439.jpg
    20250128_012439.jpg
    597.9 KB · Views: 12
B_Phlyy said:
Current install that I finished on Sunday. The French braid in the middle is wear the thinning is worst. You can really tell when I tried to part for braids. This was blow dried hair with no holding agent. Plan is to leave these in for about 4 weeks.
Click to expand...

I like the French braid in the middle. It's such a great idea! I have to pass this idea on to my mom.
 
I'm about halfway through a mini twist install. I started on Monday and will probably be done on Friday. If I can keep them well moisturized, I think I can stretch this to my longest stint, yet...4 months...which means that they'd last until June.
 
B_Phlyy said:
Current install that I finished on Sunday. The French braid in the middle is wear the thinning is worst. You can really tell when I tried to part for braids. This was blow dried hair with no holding agent. Plan is to leave these in for about 4 weeks.
Click to expand...
I have that same thinning :bighug:
 
snoop said:
I'm about halfway through a mini twist install. I started on Monday and will probably be done on Friday. If I can keep them well moisturized, I think I can stretch this to my longest stint, yet...4 months...which means that they'd last until June.
Click to expand...
4 months is amazing.
 
Done and dusted!


LHCF_Jan2025_8.png

Ok, not really dusted since I still have to take care of my ends, but it took me 4 days to put in these twists. They don't actually look smaller than my usual set, but the parts are. They're also stretched a bit and would look very similar to when they are first installed, but as I install them they shrink. Last night, I LCO'd then wrapped them around my head so that's why if you look at the roots, some are lifted and leaning in an odd direction.
 
They look great, @snoop !

I finally finished my micro twists takedown yesterday and I'm currently in 5 plaits.
I've been debating installing some cornrows vs mini braids. I have found myself in a YT rabbit hole looking at videos of mini braids.
I'm so happy to see the style catching on! There's gonna be a lot of Black women walking around with long hair if this keeps up! :supergrin:

It's definitely making the case for me to put some more back in after I wash and DC. I think I'm gonna do small braids instead of micro twists like I usually do. I also want to do a quick tension only blow dry. I've not used a regular blow dryer since 2015! I started using a blow dry brush in 2018 or so and haven't looked back since. Let me stalk my Google Photos for more inspiration. :giggle:

And then I'm gonna soak some Fenugreek. Those daily sprouted Fenugreek rinses were sooo good for my hair and they're easier to do in mini braids.
 
MzSwift said:
They look great, @snoop !

I finally finished my micro twists takedown yesterday and I'm currently in 5 plaits.
I've been debating installing some cornrows vs mini braids. I have found myself in a YT rabbit hole looking at videos of mini braids.
I'm so happy to see the style catching on! There's gonna be a lot of Black women walking around with long hair if this keeps up! :supergrin:

It's definitely making the case for me to put some more back in after I wash and DC. I think I'm gonna do small braids instead of micro twists like I usually do. I also want to do a quick tension only blow dry. I've not used a regular blow dryer since 2015! I started using a blow dry brush in 2018 or so and haven't looked back since. Let me stalk my Google Photos for more inspiration. :giggle:

And then I'm gonna soak some Fenugreek. Those daily sprouted Fenugreek rinses were sooo good for my hair and they're easier to do in mini braids.
Click to expand...
Can you expand more on the Fenugreek rinses? I purchased some with the intent to use with henna but it's going to last far beyond that. I need something to do with the extra seeds and the rinses sound promising
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
Mini Braid Thread 2013
2
Replies
52
Views
13K
Ann0804
Ann0804
sweet_silvia88
Mini Twists Take Down | Natural Hairstyles Two Strand Twist Video
Replies
0
Views
2K
sweet_silvia88
sweet_silvia88
Naturelie
Mini twists and swimming
Replies
4
Views
6K
Jobwright
Jobwright
M
Mini Braid Challenge- Fall 2012
3 4 5
Replies
134
Views
41K
NaturalfienD
NaturalfienD
R
mini twist question
Replies
5
Views
4K
Nonie
Nonie
Back
Top