Secrets
to braids Extensions :
More often than not, people
tend to think that the moment they put braids
extensions in their hair . It will
automatically grow their hair and they don't
have to do any thing else. Truth is
this is the best time to take care of your
hair naturally and still wear
extensions. it's pointless to wear braids for
3 months only to realize that the situation
and condition of your hair is more or
less the same if not worst especially if the
motive for braiding is to improve the
overall well being of your hair and to take a
break from all forms of hair chemicals. I
suggest the following steps to a healthy
braids wearing and to achieve
happiness/satisfaction once the braids
are out.
1:
Chemicals -Avoid applying
Individual extensions/braids in your hair
at least until after 2 weeks of any chemical
input. Sometimes braiders will
tell you that relaxing your hair just
before braiding will make your braids neater
and more presentable. Truth is the
neatness of your braids depends on how good
the braider is at parting the hair and more
often than not the length of your own hair.
Very short hair tend to come out of braids
whilst longer hair stay put. If you are using
our ready to weave African braids we suggest
you wait for 2 days after Perming before
sewing in the hair.
2
: Before
braiding - Deep condition your hair
a day before applying the extensions.
continue to deep condition your hair even when
you have the braids is in at least once
in 2 weeks . I suggest you use a
conditioner that is rich in protein.
3:
Washing/shampooing
- Wash your braids once in 2 weeks. This is
very good for your hair as it allows your hair
to rest from the chemical contents of shampoos
even though some shampoo products say they
have little chemical contents ,my advice is,
it's better to be safe than sorry. Washing
your hair once a week will allow the braids to
retain it's strength and reduce early
rough appearance. I must say that braids is
one of the very few hair styles that even when
it's rough it's still beautiful. Buy a
cheap old shampoo if you must as braid
extensions gulp lots of it before it foams.
Deep condition your hair for about 1 hour.
Concentrates more on the root of the braids
than the body it self.
4: Treat
your natural hair below the braids extensions
-
Use infusium 23 for strengthen. If you
can lay your hands on original unprocessed
coconut oil the better for your hair and
braids. Coconut
oil usage
as hair nutrient dates back as far as the
beginning of the black race in Ile-ife( the
origin of black nation). Coconut oil helps
softens yet strengthen and promotes your
under growth. It also promotes hair growth.
Coconut oil is as strong and
solid as coconut itself. An African proverb
goes thus " Any one who breaks a
coconut with his/her head will not be among
the people that will eat it " That adage
is to show the extent of the power of coconut,
so imaging something as strong as that
fighting for the benefit of your hair. The
result is total success. Another great
ingredient to have at hand during your
braiding period is unrefined
Shea Butter (now available on our
website).
This is the master of moisture and healthy
groom. There are many fake shea butter out
there, please
beware.
Never
use refined shea butter,
it's been chemically process. The Original
Shea butter is cream in color and as often as
many beauticians try to tell people that shea
butter can come in many shades. It doesn't. I
spent 25 yrs in West Africa and shea butter is
a must have house old item over there. I grew
up with shea butter and the color has never
been other than cream . The color is
Cream. The smell cannot be explain, it's close
to being odorless, yet it's not. It's not
offensive at all. shea butter is all purpose
moisturizer. You skin will thank you and your
hair will rejoice. If you don't have
coconut oil or sher butter use braid sprays
such as African pride instead But get your
hands on one of the ingredients above as soon
as you can. Always oil your scalp at
least 3 times a week to retain moisture and
prevent flaky scalps or dandruffs.
5 :
Sleeping
- Before going to sleep, ensure to cover
your hair with a hair net (with big
holes) and then wrap a silk/satin scarf
around your head. This will secure your braids
safely in place and protect your hair
from damage that may arise from rubbing
against the pillow/ bed , or pulling from
unforeseen circumstances as we have
little or no control over our hair when we are
sleeping.
6 :
Individual braiding
- ladies please please
and please , avoid getting your hair braided
too tightly ,it does nothing but weakens your
hair even before you start promoting growth
with your hair. Tell your hair dresser
or who ever it is that is doing your hair to
relax her fingers when braiding your hair.
There's a notion that the tighter the
braids the better. This is a pure lie.
Medium braids( braids that are not too
tight) makes a very beautiful looking
braids more than the tight braids. And what
more could you want if it doesn't damage
your hair? If you've already spent hours of
your time and plenty of cash for a style
that's too tight, although the best solution
would be to remove it, the other Option will
be to Immediately steam your hair. i.e Put a
shower cap on your head and then take a hot
bath or shower, this should loosen some of the
tension.
