do box braids damage hair

Do box braids damage hair?

Box braids are a popular hairstyle among women of color. But what exactly are box braid and do box braids damage your hair?

A box braid is a type of hair braiding that includes two or more twists in the hair, typically with the ends tucked under one another.

The style is created by wrapping small sections of hair around each other and securing them with an elastic band or pin.

The result is often a tight, compact bundle of braided hair that resembles a small square or rectangle.

The style can be seen as an alternative to cornrows because it creates less breakage on the scalp, which can lead to healthier growth and less damage to the hair shafts.

However, box braids can cause some damage over time as they are often done with heat tools.

To answer this question is no. Box braids do not damage hair and they are a great protective style for curly or wavy hair.

Box braids are a protective style that can be done in a few hours and the style is easy to maintain. They can also be removed when you want to change your look.

Is it bad to always have box braids?

Braids have been a big trend in the hair industry for a while. They’re easy to style and offer protective styling among so many other things.

Plus, they come in so many different lengths that they go with any look you can imagine.

At this point, it’s important to discuss the warnings and dangers that braids may pose to your hair.

When it’s a protective style:

Braids offer a perfect solution for temporary hair styles if you need to do something with your hair while on vacation.

By taking care of your braids, you are setting yourself up for healthy hair growth and the perfect result when it’s time to take them out. Just make sure you moisturize, shampoo and condition your hair each time you take out braids.

When it’s not a protective style:

Not surprisingly, braids require a stylist to pull on your hair to achieve that sleek and salon-fresh look.

Going from a hairstyle to another all the time can cause you to lose your hair. Wearing a style back-to-back can increase this risk.

This can be a problem for some areas of your hair. Your edges, nape, and forehead are good examples of these.

Avoid tension and hair loss in braids by making sure they are gentle and not pulled too tight. Also, avoid wearing them too long.

Signs to watch out for:

We must take care of our edges as they can tell a lot about our hair. If it shows that your edges are close to holding on for dear life, most likely your edges are too tightly wrapped around the braids and need to be taken out.

You’ll probably thank me later for this tip and not in the moment when you’ll have to undo your hair again.

If you’re experiencing headaches or hair pain from your braids, this is a sign that the style needs to be taken down ASAP.

This is an important process that should be done as soon as possible to avoid further harm and re-growth problems.

We know there’s a tendency to give your braids time to “loosen up,” but you could lose your edges in the process.

If you’re wearing braided styles back to back, consider a break from that style to give your hair some time to rest. That will ensure your hair is being well-cared for, and keeping its healthy appearance.

When you notice thinning happening at your temples, it may be time to take an extended break.

Do box braids stop hair growth?

The answer is no. Box braids do not stop hair growth, but they do help to reduce the amount of breakage.

Braids are a great way to give your hair some extra protection and prevent it from breaking so easily.

Braids can be done with hair of any length, but it is recommended that you start with a shorter length.

You can also use extensions to create box braids if you have longer hair and want the style without the extensions.

Some people believe that box braids stop the growth of natural hair and cause breakage. However, this is not true because the natural growth cycle is unaffected by box braids.

There are no studies or evidence to prove that box braids stop hair growth in people who wear them for long periods of time.

How to take down box braids without damaging hair?

Protective hairstyles like braids are expected to do one job; protect our natural hair. They can also assume a different role when they need to be taken down incorrectly.

Chocking on your hair and using the wrong tools invariably leads to one outcome, risking imperfections or even hair loss all together.

Braids are very fragile, so you will need to be extra vigilant when taking them out. It may also require some patience, as if anything goes wrong, your braids could get more damaged than you wanted. Therefore, taking care not to break your braids is important in the process of taking them out.

What you need:

  1. Rattail comb
  2. Scissors
  3. Detangling cream
  4. Spray bottle of water and leave-in conditioner mix 
  5. Wide-tooth comb

Step 1: Spray hair with water and leave-in mix

  1. A slip is needed when taking down braids. This makes the process easier and seamless for you.
  2. Take out one braid and spritz it with water and leave-in conditioner mix.
  3. After wetting the hair, you can also apply oil to the braid if you like.
  4. If you have installed hair rings or cuffs to your braids, you should take them out at this point.

Step 2: Cut each braid

  1. When the length of your hair is at the end of the braid, cut off the rest with a scissor.
  2. Avoid snipping hair shorter than your actual hair by cutting at the point where your hair stops.
  3. You can choose to segment the hair or just cut one strand at a time and work in sections.

Step 3: Loosen the braids

  1. Unravel the braid with the tip of the rattail comb. Do this slowly and carefully, starting at the bottom and working your way up. Remember that this step can take a long time to complete if you do it right.
  2. You can also loosen your braids by using your fingers if you prefer
  3. When you get to the base of your hair, pull down your hair extension slowly so you don’t damage your hair.
  4. If you used the rubber band method to braid your hair, don’t pull the elastic down your hair. In fact, cut it out with a pair of scissors.

Step 4: Detangle the buildup at the roots

  1. It is common for dirt to build up in your braids as you wear it for an extended period. If you’re not careful, this could lead to unwanted loss of length when you take it off at the end of your appointment.
  2. There is a two-step process for properly detangling your hair. First, spray the mixture of water and leave-in conditioner over the roots to loosen up dirt and product buildup.
  3. You should apply some detangling cream to the roots of your hair and massage it in. It will improve the strands from getting tangled up.

Step 5: Comb and twist

  1. Comb your hair with a wide-tooth comb and twist it into small twists. This will help to stretch out the hair, preventing tangles wile you work on the other braid styles
  2. Repeat this process for the rest of the braids
  3. Twist your hair and comb them well when you are done styling them.
  4. To make your hair look the best it can, use a shampoo and conditioner that will leave your hair feeling and looking healthy.
  5. Style as desired.

Is it normal to lose a lot of hair after box braids?

Yes, it is normal for your hair to fall out after you get your first set of box braids done. This is because the process of getting them done causes some tension on your scalp and this can lead to some shedding.

First time taking out braids was a total nightmare. Braids were in for several weeks, so I experienced that i shed hairs often.

For hair that is prone to frizz or breakage, it is recommended that you use a deep conditioner with protein. When your hair is shedding a lot after braids, that is considered to be “normal.”

Your hair will probably come out more than usual at first, since it has been kind of stressed holding onto those heavy braids. That’s been my experience.

I know this doesn’t happen often, but please just make sure that you are aware of the products you are using.

A good example would be protein treatments and keratin products. If a small section of my hair is tested before the whole thing is treated, then the hair should continue to look great.

Using some ingredients with really good moisturizing benefits (water, oils, fatty alcohols) and protein should help with your hair shedding. I hope that helps!

If you are experiencing severe shedding after a braid intervention, you should head to the doctor & make sure the problem is not caused by something else.

It could be a breakage, bacterial infection or allergy that may need treatment. Afterward, consider applying some type of protein or hair oil in order to keep your hair strong as it regrows.

Do box braids thin out your hair?

Box braids are not meant to thin out your hair. They actually add volume to your hair and make it thicker. But tight braids, weaves, and excessive heat are causing our hair to thin and in many cases fall out.

One common form of hair loss in African-American women is traction alopecia, also known as a thinning hairline.

This hair loss is due to excessive pulling, pressure, and wearing tight braids. Elaborate hairstyles can cause damage to the follicles of your hair and cause it to fall out.

If you notice things like red bumps or reddish spots around the hairline, it might be a sign of traction alopecia.

But there is good news – it can typically be managed quite well by taking care of what you can control and being proactive with the health of your hair.

Here are some tips to keeping your thinning hairline in tip-top shape when wearing braids:

Baby those edges: Your hairline is very fragile and vulnerable to breakage. If you moisturize everyday, apply a setting lotion before pulling back your hair, and don’t overdue the heat in that area, your hairline should stay exactly as it is. For added assurance your stylist might need to relax and rinse that section of your hairline before they style it.

Loosen it up: Rock your braids in a bun or chignon in a loose style. This allows you to experiment with different looks and find the one that works best for you. You can change your look just by changing the location of your ponytail or bun!

Be headscarf savvy: Be careful about how tight your scarf is, but also make sure that you don’t have it too crunched at the front. When tying a scarf, ensure it is pulled past your hairline and alternate where the knot is located each night.

Let your real hair out in front: When wearing braids, don’t leave the edges unbraided. Let your stylist know to keep some of your natural hair intact at the front.

Conclusion:

The conclusion of this article is that box braids do not damage your hair. Box braids are a way to style hair in a way that it looks neat and tidy. They also give the appearance that the person has longer hair.

The answer to this question is no. Box braids themselves do not damage your hair because they don’t involve any chemicals or heat.

What causes damage to your hair is when your braids are done too tightly, they cause hair loss at your edges.

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