Braids are a timeless hairstyle for good reason — they look stylish and stay in place no matter what. But despite their durability, braids can become dull and lifeless over time. So how do you keep your braids looking fresh?
In this blog post, we’ll explore the best techniques for keeping braids looking their best. From washing to styling, find out how you can maintain healthy hair and create beautiful styles with your braids!
How To Keep Braids Fresh
Braids are a great way to add some extra style and personality to your hairstyle. Unfortunately, braids can get messy and disheveled after a few days. If you’re looking for ways to keep braids fresh, try these tips:
- Wash your extensions weekly with warm water and shampoo. Make sure the extension is completely dry before wearing it again.
- Use a gel that has UV protection to help prevent damage from the sun and UV rays.
- Avoid wearing braids in the pool or hot tub or while swimming in general because they can get wetter than other styles of hair extensions.
- For braids that are too short, add extensions to create volume at the ends of your braid or weave.
- Wash your hair before you put braids in it. This helps prevent build-up from occurring and keeps the braids from getting tangled during washing or styling.
- Wash them at least once every two weeks, even if they’re not dirty — it’s best to cleanse the braids regularly so they stay fresh and look their best.
- Use conditioner – Braids need moisture to stay healthy so use conditioner after you wash them so they don’t dry out too quickly or become frizzy or tangled during drying time.
- Protect from UV rays – The sun can weaken braids by damaging their natural oils which will eventually break down their structure over time if you don’t take steps to protect them from sun damage. If possible, wear hats with wide brims that completely shield
How Long Can You Maintain Braids?
The best way to keep braids fresh is to wash them every 2-3 days. If you want your braids to last longer, try to wash them at night or in the morning. This will help them dry faster and prevent tangles from forming.
Braids can last for several weeks, but how long they last depends on how well they are cared for. Below are some tips on how to keep braids fresh:
- Wash your hair regularly. This will help prevent build-up on the scalp and keep the braids looking clean.
- Condition your hair regularly. This will help keep the hair hydrated and prevent thebraids from drying out and becoming brittle.
- Avoid using excessive heat on your hair. This will help prevent damage to the hair and prolong the life of the braids.
- Wear a satin scarf or bonnet when sleeping. This will help prevent friction between your hair and pillow, which can cause breakage and frizziness.
How Often Should You Wash Braids?
When it comes to washing braids, there are a few different ways to approach it. For some people, a quick rinse in the shower will do just fine. For others, they like to give their braids a more thorough cleanse by using shampoo and conditioner.
While shampooing your braids is something that you should always do, there are certain times when it’s not necessary. For example, if you’re going on vacation or traveling somewhere warm where you don’t plan on having access to a shower for days at a time, then washing your braids is a perfect way to keep them looking fresh and clean.
If you plan on keeping your braids in for a long period of time (like six months or longer), then washing them every other week is usually enough to keep them looking nice and healthy without worrying about damage occurring over time
5 Top Tips to Maintain Your Box Braids
- Keep Your Hair Clean
It’s important to keep your hair clean and conditioned at all times so that the braids stay in place. If you wash your hair too often, it can be difficult to maintain your box braids. Avoid shampooing more than once per day, as this can cause buildup on the braids and make them look dull. Instead, use a good conditioner after each wash to add moisture back into your hair and prevent dryness from forming.
- Keep It Secure
In order to maintain a good appearance for your braids, you need to keep them secure throughout the day. When you’re not wearing them, make sure that you put some type of protective style in place such as a scarf or headband so that they don’t become tangled up during any activities that you might do throughout the day (such as running errands). If you’re working out or doing other strenuous tasks while wearing braids, make sure that they’re secured properly with a headband or scarf so they don’t come undone during physical activity.
- Use a conditioner
Conditioners are essential for maintaining your box braids. You should always use a conditioner that is made for African-American hair, which includes products like Redken 5th Ave or Matrix Biolage Professionnel. These products are specifically designed to keep your hair moisturized and healthy while also reducing breakage.
- Avoid heat tools
Heat tools like curling irons, flat irons and blow dryers can damage your box braids in the long run if you use them too frequently or too often on a regular basis. If you do decide to use heat tools, be sure to limit their use to once every two weeks or so when you wash your hair.
- Do not brush wet hair
Do not brush wet hair with a wide-tooth comb or leave-in conditioner as this can cause breakage and damage your braid pattern! Brushing while damp will create frizz and static electricity that can result in breakage if done repeatedly over time. Instead, wait until after you’ve shampooed before brushing out the knots so you don’t pull out any of the protective curl patterns or flatten out any of those waves or curls!
Conclusion
Braids are a great way to keep your hair looking fresh and stylish, but they can be difficult to maintain. With the right maintenance routine, however, you can ensure that your braids stay in top condition for longer – helping you look and feel your best. From keeping them moisturized to tying down flyaways with a scarf or bandana at night, these tips will help you get the most mileage out of your braided hairstyle. So go ahead – give those braids some love!