How to Care for Box Braids? Ultimate Guide

Box braids are fantastic protective styles that can keep your natural hair healthy through harsh weather. But do you know how to care for box braids?

Your braids will becoming rough and losing their beauty if not cared for properly. Additionally, this may result in excessive shedding, hair breakage, and dryness.

In this article, I will share helpful tips on caring and maintaining box braids.

What Are Box Braids?

First, let’s talk about what are box braids.

Box braids, a popular protective hairstyle, consist of three stranded braids that are squared off. They can be worn down or styled however you like, and they can be any length or width.

Natural hair is best protected by them during extreme weather conditions because they can be made with both natural and synthetic hair.

Box braids are difficult to create but, with proper care, they can last for several weeks or even months. Your box braids should not be kept for more than eight weeks.

Related Reading:

• Do Box Braids Damage Hair?
• Are Box Braids Cultural Appropriation?

How to Care for Box Braids?

Here are some simple tips to keep in mind for caring for and maintaining your box braids:

1. Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize!

You’ll still want to keep your natural hair moisturized and healthy even though it’s in braids. To keep your braids looking neat and shiny, you have a few options for moisturizing them.

You can choose a hot oil treatment on wash days and gently massage the oil of your choice onto your scalp (we recommend olive or jojoba oil or a combination of several oils).

During the week, braid spraysare the perfect alternative for moisture on the go. Braid sprays give your braids extra shine and light moisture because they are made with hydrating oils and conditioners.

2. Avoid Excessive Styling

While box braids give you more styling options, it’s important to refrain from styling them too often. Hair thinning or breakage can result from over-styling, which can put stress on your hair’s roots and edges. Overstyling can also make your box braids look rough.

3. Don’t Leave Your Braids in for Too Long

Although box braids are excellent protective styles, they shouldn’t be worn for too long. It is advised that you remove them after roughly 5 to 6 weeks.

Longer stays can result in excessive hair loss, thinning, breakage, or even permanent hair damage.

Read More: How to Loosen Box Braids?

4. Protect Your Braids While Sleeping

Wrap a satin or silk scarf around your braids before bed to prevent frizz and to safeguard your natural hair. If that bothers you, you can wear a satin bonnet or use silk or satin pillowcases in its place.

5. Don’t Forget to Wash Your Braids

Even though many people might not enjoy the idea of washing their box braids, it’s a necessary step in keeping them looking good. Braids frequently accumulate sweat, dust, and product buildup. Their odor may result from this.

Use shampoo or co-wash on your braids to prevent this. You can use shampoo on a clean, damp cloth to wipe your scalp and braids if you don’t want to wash them.

Read More: Can You Swim With Box Braids?

6. Avoid Excessive Trimming

Your box braids may appear frizzy if there are protruding tufts of natural hair. Although trimming them might seem like a solution, it’s not advised to do so more than once.

To care for both your braids and your natural hair, moisturize and seal instead.

7. Take Care of the Edges of Your Box Braids.

Remember that you will be experiencing new hair growth, so it might feel slightly uncomfortable or like it is being pulled out. You can actually help prevent this pain by pampering the edges of your box braids with coconut oil or using a hot cloth to soothe the pain.

How Long Do Box Braids Last?

You may want to know how long does your box braid last?

Remember, never wear your box braids beyond 8 weeks.

The worst box-braid transgression is this. Some women have worn box braids for at least a year. This is wrong.

If you want to take care of your box braids correctly six weeks is ideal. 8 weeks is the maximum limit to which you can rock your box braid. Although it is protective styling, even those are only meant to be temporary for a short time.

If you don’t want to risk going bald, stop wearing your braids after 8 weeks.

Conclusion: How to Care for Box Braids

One of the most popular protective hairstyles for natural hair is the box braid. Your hair is shielded from the elements and you don’t need to comb it or style it every other day.

By following these care tips, you can get the most out of your box braids and maintain healthy natural hair.

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