Caring For Your Hair While in Braids

Years ago, I went in for braids and decided to get a deep conditioning treatment first. My stylist mixed the conditioner with Shea butter and steamed it into my hair. When I took the braids down weeks later, my hair had grown almost an inch and a half — I was convinced I had discovered magic.

So naturally, I repeated the process: another deep condition, even smaller braids (million braids), and this time I left them in for much longer. The day I took them down, I rushed straight to relax my hair so I could see my true length… and that was the day I learnt one of the most painful hair lessons of my life.

As the relaxer was being combed through, it felt like there was a blade hidden inside the comb. The amount of breakage was unbelievable. By the time my hair was washed and styled, it was shorter than before my first set of braids — the complete opposite of the miracle I expected.

It took me years of learning to finally understand what happened.

During my first set of braids, I had been moisturizing religiously. I used braid sheen every single day, kept my hair hydrated, and had properly prepped my hair before installation. My hair was protected — so it retained length.

The second time, I left my hair completely dry for weeks. The tiny braids held onto dirt, shed hairs, and buildup. By the time I took them down, my hair was too weak and dehydrated to survive the tension.

And this is the same mistake many people still make.

When I ask people what they do to their hair while in braids, the answer is often “nothing” or “I just spray oil sheen.” Unfortunately, this explains why so many people experience dry hair, breakage, and thinning after taking out their braids.

Protective styles can help retain length — but only when you protect your hair while it’s in the style. Here’s how:

PRE-INSTALLATION

Before getting braids or any protective style, prepare your hair properly.

– Deep condition to strengthen the hair

– Moisturize and seal after drying

– This improves elasticity and prevents breakage during styling

INSTALLATION

– Your braids should be no thinner than a pencil

– Avoid tight tension, especially around your edges and nape

– Communicate with your stylist — pain does not equal neatness

POST-INSTALLATION

Hydration is everything.

– Moisturize daily with a light water-based spray

– Keep your scalp clean every 1–2 weeks (diluted shampoo, dry shampoo, or gentle scalp wipe-down)

– Avoid using heavy creams that can build up inside the braids

– Don’t forget your edges — a nourishing oil can work wonders

– Sleep with a satin bonnet

TAKE-DOWN

This is where most people lose the length they thought they gained.

– Take down gently, section by section

– Detangle as you go, not at the end

– Use oil or conditioner to add slip before combing

– Treat your hair as if it were fragile lace

POST TAKE-DOWN

– Wash thoroughly

– Deep condition again

– Do a protein treatment to strengthen hair exposed to synthetic fibers

– Give your hair at least 2 weeks to rest before your next protective style

Protective styles can help you retain length — but only if you moisturize, cleanse, prep, and take down with care. Your hair doesn’t stop needing love just because it’s tucked away.