subject: Micro Braids: How to Keep them Looking Perfect and Less Hair Damage [print this page] Micro Braids: How to Keep them Looking Perfect and Less Hair Damage
Wearing your hair in Micro braids is a good way to protect the hair from the damage caused by every day styling and heat stresses. They can be easy to maintain if the right regime is followed. However, there are several concerns that come hand in hand with micro braids.
1. Hair loss
Hair loss usually happens if the micro braids are applied too tightly or on very weak hair. The best way to avoid this is to choose a professional and experienced braider who will access the overall condition of your hair before they begin.
2. Micro, Micro Braids
Obviously, the smaller the braids, the longer they will take to apply and also to remove. If very small, the braids will have to be removed extremely carefully to avoid hair loss. Talk to your braider before they begin about a suitable size for your hair's condition.
3. Micro Braid Care
After the initial investment in time and money, it is important to know how to keep braids looking good for as long as possible. Ask your practitioner for daily care advice. Make sure you use a braid spray that does not contain oil or alcohol in order to avoid product build up.
4. Micro Braid Removal
If this step is not done correctly, this is where the most hair damage can take place. If at all possible get your micro braids removed professionally. If this is not an option, the best way is to:
Allow 3-6 hours and if possible ask a friend to help
If you do not want to re use the extension hair and to speed up the process, clip of the ends of the extension hair approx 2 inches away from where your natural hair ends.
On wet or dry hair, gently unravel each braid and slip off each extension, then using fingers gently separate strands before moving on to the next braid.
Once all the braids are removed, comb gently with a wide tooth comb then wash and deep condition the hair.
Do not leave your braids for longer than 2-3 months depending on hair growth rate to avoid matting or dread locking. This usually happens through product build up and natural shedding of hair.
The time and ongoing investment required for applying traditional micro braids may not be suited to everyone. However, there are faster and better non mainstream solutions to this dilemma available, which are not yet known to the masses.
