Protective hairstyles are a great way to maintain hair health and length. One of the ways to ensure longevity is by adding extensions. You can use Marley braids, crochet braids, or box braids to get long-lasting hairdos. The problem comes in when you’re done with the style, can you reuse the extensions?
Braids are cheap but sometimes you may need multiple packs to get a great hairdo. For the sake of the environment and to save on future costs, you can reuse the braids. You need to take certain steps to ensure that the braids are clean and good enough to use.
1. Undo them properly
When undoing the braids for reuse, ensure you use the tail of a comb and cob out the braid as you unravel it. Once you have removed it from your hair, comb it out gently and lay it on a flat surface or hang it such that it remains straight.
If the hair is completely tangled, use a wide-tooth comb and detangling spray or conditioner. Tie the hair in bundles then run your fingers through it first. If it still needs detangling, use a comb. Use a comb with a detangling agent until the braids are straightened enough.
5 Ways To Maintain The Neatness And Cleanliness Of Your Braids
2. Wash the hair
Wash it with minimal shampoo to remove excess dirt and oils. This helps prevent tangling. Use a mixture of warm water and shampoo, especially at the root of the braid. Tie off the braids in a bundle as big enough as they come in the pack. Soak the bundles for about 15 minutes then wash them by massaging the tips where the dandruff and oils accumulate. Once all the grit and oils are out, rinse them with cool water. Add the conditioner then rinse again with cold water before hanging them to dry. Using a towel or blow dryer frays the hair, so be sure to let the bundle airdry.
Achieve The Perfect Look With Hair Bundles!
3. Refresh the braids
Washing and conditioning the braids may not make them look as good as new. However, there’s a way to make them look neat and presentable. After hanging the bundles to dry, ensure that they’re evenly split. You can then run a pair of scissors at the ends to ensure they’re of even length. You can also comb them out and use hair spray to maintain the sheen.
4. Use styling gel
When you finally reuse the braids, you may have to use styling gel on the extensions to reduce fraying. This isn’t a mandatory step during styling, but it may be necessary when reusing braids. Ensure that your stylist doesn’t use setting wax on your roots because this damages your hair and can cause breakage when undoing the hair.
5. Change your sleeping habits
If you didn’t before, you may need to change how you sleep to protect the braids you want to reuse or your free hair as well. You need to change your pillowcase from cotton or poly blend to satin or silk. This reduces the chances of fraying and knotting. If you don’t like the feel of silky pillowcases, you can wrap a silk bonnet around your hair. This helps preserve it. Other headwrap materials that work include satin scarves or old pantyhose. Lifestyle & Beauty: Why Silk Pillowcases Are Best For Your Skin And Hair
Check out:
Hair: How To Keep Your Weave Fresh
6 Ways To Accessorize Your Braids
