Maintaining Your Micro Braids
Micro braids are a beautiful, convenient hairstyle. You can wear them for two to three months without posing any risks to your hair.
Short hair is more suitable for micro braids than long hair, as they can sometimes cause breakage during removal. Similarly, avoid micro braids if your hair is brittle or extremely damaged.
You can achieve elegant-looking micro braids by following just a few simple guidelines:
1) Have your micro braids done only by an experienced professional.
2) The style of braiding should not be too heavy for your hair, as hair may break if weighed down. Braids should be neither too small nor too tight.
3) Before braiding, treat your hair with a hot oil massage to replenish dry and damaged hair.
4) Braiding with good-quality synthetic fiber or human hair will produce the best results.
5) Do not keep braids in for more than three months. Keeping them in longer may cause breakage, or can even lead to thinning of hair.
6) After braiding, adhere to following steps for better maintenance -
Thick shampoos and conditioners leave residue in braids, which can harm your scalp. Use a "dry" shampoo or an astringent to cleanse your scalp.
Use a light oil on your scalp to keep it moisturized.
Use a protein treatment for your scalp to rebuild elasticity of hair follicles.
An intake of healthy and nutritious foods with plenty of water is necessary for beautiful braids.
Get plenty of sleep and avoid stress as much as possible.
Visit a stylist regularly to maintain your braids.
Tight braids can tug at hair roots around your forehead, causing pain and discomfort. They can also lead to breakage and thinning of the hair around your hairline. Treat these areas with regular conditioning and moisturizing to ease hair roots and provide moisture to damaged areas.
Carefully remove micro braids by initially cutting extensions very close to your natural hair (be careful not to cut your own hair). Then wet hair, comb and pick braids gently with medium-toothed comb. Finally, comb your natural hair with a wide-toothed comb. Shampooing and conditioning your hair will bring back its original bounce and luster.
By Marquetta Breslin
Aug 9, 2005, 14:51
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