Once you get your braids or twists installed you must keep them looking hawt! To keep the frizzies at bay and to keep your extensions in tip-top shape, follow these easy steps to keep your ‘do looking as new and smooth as possible until your next hair styling session.
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Wrap your hair in a satin or silk head scarf nightly to prevent slumber induced frizz and lent gathering in the hair. Satin or silk material also aids and keeping tresses well moisturized, as opposed to cotton which absorbs all of your good product out your hair.
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Spritz your scalp and hair with a water based moisturizer 2-3 times a week minimum or daily as needed. Excellent options are Shea Moisture Curl and Shine Mist or Shea Radiance Moisture Milk.
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Lubricate and protect your scalp with a natural oil or butter 2-3 times a week or as needed. Good options are Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Butter reconstructive elixir (normal scalps, yellow label) or Organic African Black Soap Dandruff and Dry Scalp elixir (dry, itchy scalps, black label). You can also use good old extra virgin olive or coconut oil, though dry/itchy/flakey scalps will require a tea tree & peppermint essential oil infusion for maximum benefit. Try to avoid grease or petroleum based products.
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Wash every three to four weeks or more freqently, as needed. Or contact your natural hair care specialist and braider to wash for you. To self wash, gather your braids up and plat them in large sections or section them off with clips if needed. Apply a moisturizing shampoo of your choice to your scalp with your fingers or dilute your shampoo with water in spray bottle and spray it onto your scalp. Gently work shampoo into your scalp and down hair in a downward motion only. Do not ruffle or pull on your hair. Rinse your scalp and braids thoroughly. After rinsing undo each plat and apply leave in-conditioner or oil of your choice. After washing, slather each braid/twist with a flake-less gel being sure to smooth out the ends of your extensions and re-braid in smaller plats (optional) to set hair for frizz-less drying overnight or under dryer. One they are dry, release your plats. Hair in braids usually needs a full day and night to dry without the use of a dryer. You can oil your scalp within 1 to 2 days of washing or as needed. I like to oil in the morning as not to go to bed with maximum oil in the scalp and then on the pillow case, then the face. (Be sure to check out Ambrosia’s hair washing video as she demonstrates how she cleans her long twists above)
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Get touched up at four-six weeks to keep your style looking fresh and your natural hair healthy, moisturized and growing. Half of your head should be done at the four to six week mark with the second half two weeks later or you can have your entire head touched up all at once if you prefer. Touch ups are necessary to avoid hair dehydration, to secure extensions to your scalp relieving any possible strand stress, and release shed hair and reveal a fresh new looking set of braids. Wearing installed styles longer than eight weeks without touch ups risks severe hair dryness leading to breakage.
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Rock your braids and twists with flawless confidence!
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Pull your hair tightly or forcefully when styling.
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Ponytails and updo’s can be achieved without being tightly pulled.
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Hesitate to call your healthy hair specialist with any questions.
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Do the opposite of the above 6 Do’s.
Cheers to your hair!
