Summer is fast approaching and plans are in high gear to explore the great outdoors. Swimming, picnics, sports and exercise are a few activities that people look forward to during the summer months. Not only is the weather perfect for such activities but with school being on break, the young ones often try to find as many things to do to occupy their time and add some excitement to their lives. Because of the nature of the activities and the fact that it is pretty humid during that season, ladies often opt to get their hair braided. Braids can take the form of twists, plaits, cornrows, etc.

Braids are a convenient protective style that requires minimum manipulation and low maintenance. The common mistake however is installing braids and failing to take the necessary steps to not only maintain and groom the braids but more importantly making sure that your own hair is not neglected while wearing the braids. Whilst braids are convenient and take away a bit of the styling and maintenance burden, it doesn’t totally remove the responsibility of ensuring that the health of your hair doesn’t deteriorate under the braids. Observing these 4 simple tips will result in a more pleasant protective style experience and prevent the horror of discovering damage to your hair after the take down.

Keep Hair Clean

Depending on the style of choice, braids can be worn for anywhere between 2 and 8 weeks. During this period it is extremely important for you to keep your hair clean. Leaving your hair dirty can cause build up on the scalp which can lead to obstruction of growth. In addition to the risk of blocking your pores with buildup, failure to cleanse your hair while it is braided will cause particles and products to attach themselves to the section closest to the roots where the braid is secured to your hair. This, if left for too long, can actually cause matting and eventually cause the hair to start locking.

The reservation about washing hair while it is in braids mainly has to do with the fact that it is more likely to get frizzy or slip out if exposed to the aggressive scrubbing motion during the was process. There is one technique that will alleviate those problems. Instead of applying the shampoo in its concentrated state, dilute it in a spray bottle with water and spray directly on to the scalp. Use the ball of your fingers to gently rub the scalp between the braids and then proceed to rinse with a shower head. This method causes minimal rubbing and because the shampoo is diluted it rinses out much quicker and easier than usual. A clean scalp is  vital for hair to thrive and remain healthy.

Maintain Moisture

The practice for braid wearers is usually to use the protective style as a “Hair Care Holiday,” neglecting the regular required maintenance to keep the natural hair under the braids moisturized. Too often people take down their braids and are alarmed at the condition of their hair, expecting to see loads of growth but instead meeting dry, thirsty, unhealthy looking hair. As you may have heard before, natural hair loves water and it is in fact just about the best moisturizer there is. Spritzing your natural hair every once in a while with a mixture of water and leave-in conditioner will keep it moisturized and prevent dryness. It is impractical to expect that your hair will survive for 6 to 8 weeks without moisture and still remain hydrated. Be sure to give your hair the much needed attention to keep it nice and healthy while braided.

Minimize Tension

The habit of pulling tightly on the hair to attach braids is not a healthy one. There is absolutely no need to tug on the hair so tightly that at the end of the instillation, the face looks like it just went through the process of getting a face lift. This habit can lead to a serious condition called traction or tension alopecia.

Another instance where tension can be experienced is during styling. There are many cute and trendy ways to style braided hair some of which require the hair to be pulled into a ponytail or pinned in an updo. I can’t stress enough how crucial it is to be very gentle with your hair during these processes. Excess manipulation of the hair while it is braided can cause the hairline to suffer. Try to limit the instances of pulling the hair tightly and opt for looser, more relaxed hairdos. Tension related damage can be irreversible so it is very important that the necessary precautions are taken to avoid such fate.

Don’t Keep Braids in too Long

Braids should not be worn for too long because the new growth after a while will begin to gather shed hairs and build up and may become matted. The recommended period for wearing them is between 6 and 8 weeks. There is only limited access to your natural hair while it is in braids and as such you will not be able to properly cleanse, condition, detangle and treat while wearing braids. These are important hair care processes that cannot be avoided for too long. If you desire to wear braids for longer than the suggested period, be sure to fully remove them and properly attend to your natural hair and then reinstall a fresh set of extensions. Don’t try to extract more wear out of your braids to get your money’s worth. There is a popular saying that goes “penny wise and pound foolish” and in this case you may be trying to save by extending your hairdo but in the long run it may cost you much more in repairing any damage that can potentially be done.

Braids are very versatile, convenient and trendy. They have a very long history, especially among women of color. Braids, in themselves, are not bad but if not properly installed and maintained, the results can be unpleasant. Take the necessary measures and follow the above tips to ensure that you enjoy a pleasant experience with this protective styling option.

Candie's Natural Hairnamix was birthed a few months after Jamaican native Rossette "Candie" Allen began her natural hair journey in May 2010. She gears this column toward naturals, transitioning naturals, aspiring naturals and the naturally curious, sharing experiences, expertise and experiments while celebrating emancipation from chemical slavery.