How to Effectively Care for Natural Hair Under Braids: A Step-by-Step Guide

Natural hair braids, encompassing styles from box braids with natural hair to intricate cornrow styles with natural hair, serve not just as a fashion statement but as a protective measure, promoting hair growth and health. These braided hairstyles reduce manipulation and tension on natural hair, which can range from wavy to coily textures, addressing common concerns such as dryness and breakage.

Caring for natural hair under braids involves a comprehensive regimen, from preparing the hair and scalp before weaving to maintaining a healthy environment for hair while it’s braided. This article outlines essential steps for ensuring your natural hair flourishes, even under the most elaborate of braids.

Preparing Your Hair and Scalp Before Braiding

Initial Cleansing and Detangling

Detangle Hair: Start by gently detangling your hair from ends to roots using a wide-tooth comb or fingers. This minimizes breakage during washing.
Clarifying Wash: Use a clarifying shampoo to thoroughly cleanse your scalp and hair, removing any build-up of products. Ingredients like apple cider vinegar or green tea can be beneficial for this deep cleansing process.
Conditioning: After washing, apply a nourishing conditioner to replenish moisture. For an extra hydration boost, use a deep conditioning treatment enriched with ingredients like aloe vera or Pro-vitamin B5.

Strengthening and Moisturizing Treatments

Protein Treatment: Before braiding, apply a protein treatment to strengthen your hair. Options include hydrolyzed protein treatments or homemade masks with ingredients known for their reparative properties.
Moisturizing Treatments: Use a leave-in conditioner or a moisturizing cream that contains hydrating elements such as fenugreek or natural oils like coconut and olive oil. This step ensures your hair remains hydrated underneath the braids.

Pre-Braiding Preparations

Scalp Detox: A scalp detox is crucial for maintaining a healthy foundation. Consider using an exfoliating shampoo or a scalp scrub if your scalp tends to be dry or flaky.
Preparing Synthetic Hair: If using synthetic hair, wash it beforehand to prevent any potential irritation or allergens. Stretching your natural hair by blow drying or using a heat protectant can also make the braiding process smoother.
Communicate with Your Stylist: Discuss with your stylist the importance of using loose braiding techniques to avoid tension and potential scalp issues like traction alopecia.

Maintaining Healthy Scalp and Hair During Braids

Regular Scalp and Hair Care Routine

Moisturizing the Hair: To prevent dryness and breakage, create a custom spray consisting of water, leave-in conditioner, and a light oil such as jojoba or argan oil. This mixture should be applied nightly to maintain moisture levels.
Scalp Nourishment: Apply natural oils like coconut, almond, or castor oil to the scalp every three days to nourish and promote healthy hair growth. Massaging the scalp regularly with these oils can also help improve blood circulation and prevent dryness.
Cleansing: Use a gentle, diluted shampoo or a dry shampoo to cleanse the scalp every 1 to 2 weeks. This helps in maintaining cleanliness without stripping away natural oils.

Reducing Friction: Wear a silk or satin bonnet, or use a pillowcase made from these materials to reduce friction and prevent hair breakage and moisture loss overnight.
Braid Maintenance: Loosely tie the braids in a high bun or a loose ponytail to avoid tension and stress on the roots and edges while sleeping.

Nighttime Protection Measures

Scalp Health and Moisture Balance

Hydration and Oil Balance: Spritz the scalp and hair with a hydration mist that includes ingredients like aloe vera juice or water, followed by a light oil to seal in moisture. This routine helps in balancing oil production and alleviating scalp itch.
Deep Conditioning: After washing the hair, apply a deep conditioner or a hair mask to provide extra moisture and nutrients to both the scalp and hair. This step is crucial if additional hair material like extensions was used in the braids.
Avoiding Build-up: Minimize the use of heavy products to prevent build-up on the scalp. Opt for lightweight, water-based products that maintain moisture without clogging pores.

Moisturizing and Protecting Hair Underneath Braids

Essential Moisturizing Techniques

Deep Conditioning: For hair types 4a, 4b, and 4c, which are naturally drier, deep conditioning becomes especially important when wearing braids. Regularly treating your hair to a deep moisture treatment, like a hair mask, helps maintain its health and elasticity. This extra nourishment keeps your hair strong and prevents breakage, allowing your braids to thrive.
Oil Treatments: Apply natural oils such as jojoba or coconut oil to intensely moisturize extremely dry hair. These oils are beneficial in sealing moisture into the hair shaft and providing a protective layer over the hair. Additionally, essential oils can be used to prevent dryness and enhance scalp health.

Balancing Scalp Health

Scalp Serums: Use serums containing lactic acid and ceramide to help maintain a healthy scalp environment under braided styles. This can help prevent drying and itching.
Stimulating Hair Follicles: Employ dry natural oils like coconut, castor, or jojoba oil to stimulate blood flow and lift dead skin cells from the scalp. This not only nourishes the roots but also promotes healthier hair growth.

Lightweight Product Application

Aloe Vera Gel: For a lighter moisture treatment, apply aloe vera gel which provides hydration without weighing down the hair.
Product Selection: Opt for lightweight oils and products that do not cause build-up. This ensures that the hair remains light and receives adequate nourishment without the risk of clogging the pores on the scalp.

By integrating these steps into your hair care routine, you can effectively maintain moisture and protect your hair while it is styled in braids, ensuring both the hair and scalp remain healthy and vibrant.

Preventing and Treating Itchiness and Irritation

To effectively manage itchiness and irritation while wearing natural hair braids, consider incorporating several targeted strategies into your hair care routine.

Scalp Care with Medicated Products

Use of Ketoconazole Shampoo: Incorporate Ketoconazole 2% shampoo to combat fungal growth and maintain a healthy scalp environment.
Coal Tar Shampoos: For severe itching, shampoos with coal tar can be beneficial. Always follow up with a hydrating conditioner to counteract potential dryness.

Adjusting Braid Techniques for Comfort

Optimal Braid Tension: Ensure braids are not too tight; overly tight braids can lead to tension headaches and hair loss.
Spacing and Size of Braids: Maintain adequate space between braids to reduce scalp stress and improve comfort.
Loosening Techniques: Periodically loosen braids to alleviate pressure and enhance scalp circulation.

Selecting and Using Products Wisely

Lightweight Product Choices: If scalp irritation occurs due to heavy products, switch to lighter alternatives and increase the frequency of hair washing.
Antimicrobial and Soothing Oils: Utilize oils with antimicrobial properties like tea tree oil to prevent yeast buildup and reduce itchiness.

By integrating these practices, individuals can significantly reduce discomfort and maintain both scalp health and hair integrity while enjoying their braided hairstyles.

Post-Braid Care and Transitioning

Detangling and Cleansing Post-Braids

Detangling Process: Immediately after removing braids, begin by sectioning the hair into four parts. Lightly spritz each section with water and apply a generous amount of leave-in detangler throughout your hair. Think of it as a detangling superhero, helping the comb glide through your strands and minimize breakage.
Cleansing: Before shampooing, apply a pre-shampoo treatment which can be a homemade mix of conditioner, egg, and olive oil, or aloe vera for protein-sensitive hair. This pre-shampoo treatment helps in softening and detangling hair. Follow up with a clarifying shampoo to remove any residue and buildup.

Nourishing and Strengthening Hair

Deep Conditioning: After taking out your braids, pamper your hair with a deep conditioning treatment. This will help restore moisture and essential nutrients that may have been lost while your hair was braided. Look for a leave-in conditioner with hydrating properties, but avoid anything with a strong fragrance that might irritate your scalp.
Protein Treatments: Incorporate a monthly protein treatment to maintain hair elasticity and strength.

Rest and Recovery for Hair

Try easy Styles: After thorough washing and conditioning, try out easy styles like plaits, 2-strand twists, or pigtails. This allows the hair to rest and minimizes stress on the scalp and strands.
Trimming and Routine Maintenance: Schedule a trim to remove split ends and keep hair healthy. Continue with regular moisturizing and protein treatments to balance hair care between styling sessions.

Conclusion

Embracing the journey of maintaining natural hair under braids requires a thoughtful approach to hair care, from preparation to post-braid treatment. The steps outlined offer a comprehensive guide to nurturing both the hair and scalp, ensuring that while in protective styles, your hair continues to thrive. It’s clear that through diligent care, incorporating deep conditioning, regular moisturizing, and scalp treatments, natural hair can remain vibrant and healthy, avoiding common pitfalls like dryness, breakage, and scalp irritation.

This holistic regimen not only promotes the current well-being of your hair but sets the foundation for long-term health and growth. Moving forward, it’s essential to continue exploring and adapting these practices to suit your hair’s unique needs, reinforcing the importance of a personalized approach to hair care. As we conclude, remember that the beauty of braided hairstyles goes beyond their aesthetic appeal, serving as a testament to the enduring strength and versatility of natural hair.

FAQs

Q: What steps should be taken to prepare natural hair before braiding?
A: To prepare your natural hair for braiding, it’s essential to start with a protein treatment. This helps strengthen your hair by fortifying the strands, making them resilient enough to handle the weight of the braids. Ensure you use a high-quality protein-based deep conditioner right before you install the braids.

Q: How should you clean your natural hair prior to braiding?
A: Always braid clean and dry hair. Begin by thoroughly washing your hair with a clarifying shampoo to eliminate any dirt and buildup from your scalp and hair strands. This ensures your hair is in the best condition to be braided.

Q: What are some basic hair care tips for beginners with natural hair?
A: For those new to natural hair care, here are some fundamental practices: prioritize using sulfate-free shampoos, regularly apply hair masks, keep your hair well-moisturized, and don’t neglect scalp health. Additionally, maintaining a balanced diet, staying hydrated, and managing your hair carefully while sleeping can significantly improve your hair’s health.

Q: How can you keep natural hair moisturized while it’s in a protective style?
A: To maintain moisture in your hair while it’s styled protectively, daily moisturization is crucial. Use a leave-in conditioner spray on your hair each day and apply hair oil to your scalp regularly. This routine helps keep your hair soft and healthy, maximizing the benefits of your protective style.