How To Avoid Breakage During & After Braid Takedown

These are a few tips I've learnt over the past 2 years on how to avoid losing a lot of hair while taking out my braids.

1. No Combs 

I loosen a few braids and use my fingers to detangle to get rid of shed hair. Combing your hair at this point would lead to a lot breakage because your hair is dry. If you want to comb your hair you can spritz each section with a little water and detangle to reduce breakage.

2.Shampoo 

Before shampooing my hair I like to pre-poo when I remember to. This means applying an oil onto your scalp or hair before shampooing so that it won't lose too much moisture after shampooing. From what I've read though the best oils for this are coconut oil and olive oil but my hair hates those oils so I just use jojoba oil. After oiling my scalp I put my hair in about 6 sections and then shampoo each section with Giovanni Smooth as Silk Deep Moisture Shampoo.

3. Deep Condition

I deep condition my hair with Cantu Deep Treatment Masque mixed with shea butter. I put a lott  little of this on a small section and twist.. After getting through all my hair I cover it with a shower cap for about 30 minutes and then wash it out with v05 conditioner.

4. Air Dry 

I dry my hair with a cotton t-shirt because towels are drying to the hair and cause more frizz. My hair takes more than a day to dry because of how thick it is so I just leave it in twists and go about my day.

5. Moisturise

Waiting for your hair to get fully dry before moisturising will lead to dry, brittle hair which I learnt the hard way. I noticed a difference when I started moisturising while my hair was still a bit damp but almost dry. I use a mix of cantu leave in conditoner, glycerine and castor oil. I add shea butter to this sometimes if i feel like it and then put my hair in about 6 big braids.

This leaves my hair feeling moisturised for a few days.

Thanks for reading.. I hope this helps :)