Braiding hair can be a long and arduous process. Sometimes, looking your best can take hours. It’s important to prepare your natural hair before an install. If you’re willing to take that much time to get the look you want, why wouldn’t you want it to last as long as possible?
With a little know-how and a little time, you can prepare your hair to look it’s best for weeks while it’s braided. Best of all, if treated properly, your hair can be easier to braid resulting in less time during the installation process.
Here are four ways to prepare your hair for the install process.
- Listen to your hair- Not literally. Listen to what your hair is telling you. If your scalp is dry and flaky, treat dandruff with the right shampoo and the right products. If hair seems brittle, it’s especially important to take measures to strengthen it. Try to fix any pre-existing hair issues a minimum of two weeks before you braid, your scalp, hair and stylist will thank you for it.
- Wash- Don’t run to your stylist or install without a freshly clean scalp. Before you start the install process is your last chance to get access to loose hair, it should be one of the best shampooing and conditioning experiences of your life. Take your time and consider using clarifying shampoo for best results.
- Deep Condition- Deep condition your hair to add extra strength and moisture. Keep this in your hair for at least a half hour, but not overnight as some might recommend. If deep conditioning isn’t your thing, try a leave-in treatment several hours before the braiding process begins.
- Detangle- Take your time running through your hair and detangling as much as possible. This can seem like a long process and something your stylist should do, but it will save your scalp in the long run. Stylists will go through tangled hair with a fine-toothed comb, a painful process that results in a good amount of breakage. Handle this part yourself to make installs painless and easy.
Spend the time preparing your hair and scalp for braiding, and you can enjoy your new style for weeks and weeks to come. When you’re ready to search for new inspiration, check out our inventory of African Collection Crochet Braids, Bobbi Boss Crochet Braids and all other things weaving hair.
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