Protective Styles Maintenance

When I think of protective styles I think of braids and sew-ins. Now as you know I'm a natural curly girl and I love my curls. but when summer hit and that heat hit my head..baaaby my hair styles just don't last as long. I would have to restyle my hair every 3 or 4 days when in cooler months, my hair will last 5 to 6 days. This may not be a problem for some folks but, I have noticed that I use more products in summer (which is more money$$) than in winter. To save some coins, I went and got some triangle part individual braids installed on July 3rd. I'm going to tell you what you should do before installation and during. when I take my braids down I will make another post.

Before Installation

1. Cleansing/Clarify

Wash you hair as you normally do using a sulfate free shampoo. I would also do a protein treatment along with it so my strains are nice and strong.

2. Deep Condition

Always, always, always. Deep condition your hair I usually do it with heat, using my heating cap for 30 to 45 min.

3. Dry/Stretch

I usually blow dry on cool setting using a heat protectant spray. or you can braid your hair straight back in 2 to 4 cornrolls to stretch the hair.

4. Moisturize Scalp

Once your hair is dry/stretched massage your scalp with oils. I use a mixture of oils one heavy oil like an olive oil or coconut oil and then a light oil like almond or grapeseed oil. then some essential oils like peppermint to prevent itching as much tea tree, and lavender.

5.Optional

For my hair strands I use a butter I use this product called Fro Butter with emu oil on my ends. you don't have to but just so my ends can stay moisturized I add a little tlc to them. Its also optional if you are due for your ends to be clipped clip them before installing braids because they will still split while your hair is braided.

6. Twist/Braid

Depending on when your appointment is you should protect your hair overnight by braiding your hair in two cornrolls to keep it stretched and detangled. Get your satin bonnet and sleep.

During installation

It is the day of your appointment you sit down in the chair get comfortable cause this will be your seat for the next 4 to 8hrs. Don't be afraid to tell the stylist if she is gabbing your hair too tight they should be tight but not too tight to where you can't move your head around and not feel as much pain. Always make sure the size of the hair that is parted is around the same size of hair that's being added. for example you going for jumbo braids and she takes only a small square of hair and start to braid it in. which will result in heavy braids pulling your hair and them being pulled out fairly easily and you are left with a patch of hair missing. So please don't sit there quietly.

When you are all finished I'm sure your head will hurt shouldn't hurt a lot but it will hurt. Don't let the stylist put your hair up into a high bun or try to do any styles on the first day. to relieve the pain take some ibuprofen or Tylenol. you can also get a wet warm washcloth and place it on your head the steam helps loosen them strands and I love the feeling of it on my scalp. **Now if its too tight and you can't bare the pain and you start getting these red raised bumps then take them out immediately!!** but this shouldn't be a issue if you spoke up and told them it was too tight to begin with. You can also use an oil to help loosen it up. Call me crazy but I like to shake my head up and down side to side and let the braids flow in motion, this also helps to loosen them up.

Cleansing while braids are installed

After about 4 weeks in its time to wash your scalp you don't have to drench your whole head to do this. If your braids get wet they will be heavy and your neck will hurt. Cantu have some products that are made for braids,weaves, and extensions they all come with a nice applicator tip to make it easier to apply to scalp.

1. Cantu Refresh root rinse with apple cider vinegar and tea tree oil

• No mineral oils, No Sulfates, No Parabens, No Silicones, No Phthalates, No Gluten, No Paraffin, or No Propylene.

• Cleanses, conditions, and soothes the scalp.

• Nourishes roots to promote healthy hair growth.

• Moisturize dry, brittle hair.

• Price $4.34 on amazon

Apply to scalp massage to lather rinse and repeat.

with this product I did not run my whole head under the water to rinse. I took a spray bottle and rinse just my roots and squeeze excess using a microfiber towel or t-shirt. This process may take longer because you have to take each braid one by one and spray water to rinse. I rather do it that way then have my whole head wet for days. That's up to you if you want to do it that way more power to you.

2. Cantu Refresh Dry Co-wash With apple cider vinegar and tea tree oil

• No mineral oils, No Sulfates, No Parabens, No Silicones, No Phthalates, No Gluten, No Paraffin, or No Propylene.

• Refreshes style to extend style.

• Conditions without weighing hair down

• Reduces frizz adds shine.

• price $5.69 on amazon for 2 cans

Spray lightly on designated areas. let dry and style.

With this product I used it on the length of my braids and not the root because of the root rinse.

3. Cantu Refresh Root Relief with Apple Cider Vinegar and Peppermint Oil

• Refreshes the root without water.

• Conditions and soothes scalp.

• Nourishes roots to promote healthy hair growth

• Price $4.97 on amazon

Apply small amount to roots do not rinse.

This is great for itchy dry scalp even when you don't wash it. This work wonders it also has am applicator tip for easy application. It smells amazing! It works great with the root rinse.

It is also good to have the leave in conditioning spray and the Cantu tea tree and jojoba oil for every other day use.

By washing your hair while you have braids installed you shouldn't see much breakage when its time to be taken down. you will see shedding because your hair has been in braids for at least 2 months. know the difference between breakage and shedding. Usually I keep my braids in for no longer than 2 full months. I feel like 2 months is enough time and I start to miss my curls after that long and I want my whole head under running water washing and scalp massage. I will be taking my braids down the end of next month so stay tuned for the next post about the take down process.

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