Sarah Renee

Hair Do's & Reviews

June 3, 2016

The Twist Behind Those Braids

Are You Causing Damage

Ponytails and braids can cause hair to break, especially if your style is pulled tightly. If you wear your hair that way every day, permanent hair damage can occur. Braiding or putting your hair in a ponytail when it's wet can cause damage. If you apply your braids with excessively wet hair breakage can occur also because wet hair stretches but once it drys out it shrinks. If you style is too tight when the shrinkage occurs the strands will snap. Be mindful of the type of elastics you are using as well for this can increase the problem.

Extensions and weaves are a lot like ponytails and braids. Over time, they can leave hair broken and brittle. The difference is the damage is at the roots where it is harder to cut out.If you have a discomfort or ache in the scalp, that indicates that  it is causing too much pressure at the roots. Worse, traction alopecia is a serious hair loss condition caused by wearing tight hairstyles like extensions for too long a time period. So either keep it loose, or try growing your hair instead of going for instant length.

Please note that the damage from ponytails, braids, extensions, and weaves is a result from improper installation,  maintenance and excessive use. Everything you do to your hair can cause damage but there are many ways to avoid damage or at least minimize it.

Braided Benefits

Braids are very easy to style most of the time you can just get up and go which who does not see the benefit in that. Braids can last 2-8 weeks depending on your hair type, and the style of the braids.  While your hair is in braids your hair gets a rest from the daily styling of your hair like combing brushing and for some the drying of daily washing.  

Start Off Right

Whether you are doing your hair yourself or going to a stylist keep these next tips in mind

The amount of tension needed for braiding is only enough to keep hair smooth  if you have a headache after your braids are done they are way too tight for your head, if you have little bumps or inflamed areas or areas of intense soreness, or if you feel like you just had a face lift. The braids are too tight remove them or risk a massive amount of breakage.

If you braiding with extensions make sure that you do not go too heavy with the extension hair. Putting too much weight on the hair shaft will cause it to snap or pull out of the follicle . Base your hair extensions choices not just on the wanted style but also in what your hair texture can handle.

If you find that your braids or extensions are bothersome in any of the above mentioned ways  do not wait have them removed, give your head and hair a few weeks to recover and then try again keeping  your hair's integrity in mind. If all your hair snaps off that is never a good look and you will find yourself back in the hair store but this time looking for a full wig.

                                                                             Hair Do's & Reviews

After years of training & acquiring knowledge about hair

I'm sharing it, in a way you are never allowed to

when you have a client sitting in your chair.

I will not steer you wrong and I will not lie

Just telling the truth behind the hair!!