How Long Does It Take To Braid Hair?

How long does it take to braid hair? The answer to this question depends on how long or short your hair is. and the style that you are going for with your braids.

I remember getting my hair braided as a kid was fun and exciting, but my favorite memories of those occasions were all the snacks I got to have because it took forever.

So in that time, they’d give me just about anything I wanted. Nowadays it’s almost ludicrous to spend an entire day braiding your hair.

There is no doubt about it – braiding hair only takes about 4 to 8 hours!

Your braiding time will vary. It typically takes four to eight hours, but is depending on the skill level of your braider as well as the thickness and type of your braids, before braiding your hair, it’s important to know what your hair type is and whether or not you have damage. This means knowing the shade of your natural hair, how long the pieces are, and what condition is. These could affect the process in terms of time.

If you’re new to getting your hair braided and would like to learn how you can prepare not only your hair but yourself for getting your hair braided, then keep reading!

How To Prepare For Braids

Before getting your hair braided, one of the most important things is to make sure your hair is as healthy as it can be, so you don’t damage it! Read on to learn how.

Firstly, make sure that your natural hair is well moisturized, cleansed and nourished. This will help to prevent breakages and maintain the integrity of your hair so that it holds up during the braid process.

There are plenty of ways to keep your hair healthy and in the best condition. Consider doing a deep cleanse before washing it with products like clarifying shampoo and deep conditioning afterwards. Moisturize the hair, while adding a masking oil at least once per week.

Then the day before braiding your hair, apply a deep-conditioning treatment so that the final result is smoother.

Keep reading to Learn how to prepare for a hair braiding appointment.

1. Know what you want

If you’re considering getting braids, do your research to find out what styles and colors are right for you. You should also know what length & methods you want.

This is a pretty typical question for braiders who offer different choices for hairstyles like Senegalese twist and box braids. But be sure to do your research, find the right person, and know what type of style you need to look your best!

I am a natural hairstylist and I always encourage my clients to chat with their braider about what might suit their hair before they start. Talk to your braider about what styles might suit you best. Discuss chemical treatments and the state of your hair to see if it is healthy enough to braid.

There are times in which you may want to consider what size and length of braids are best for you. If your plaits are too thick and long, that weight and strain on them may cause harm.

2. Prep your hair

How To Prep Natural Hair For Box Braids! No Heat!

It can be difficult to maintain healthy hair during the inactive months. You should wash it, condition it with a rinse-out conditioner, and deep-condition the day before you braid it so that your hair is in top shape for braids.

Argan Oil Hair Mask and Deep Conditioner is perfect for adding moisture to your hair. In addition, you can buy it for just $12.95 at Amazon.

If you are typically a co-wash user, you should switch to a shampoo that cleanses the hair follicles and rinses them free of buildup will have detangled your hair for braids.

If you use Moroccanoil for clarifying and purifying without stripping the hair, it’s a total steal at $26 from Amazon!

3. Stretch your hair

Just as detangling your hair, for best results, stretch your hair for about 20 minutes before you start braiding. This will allow your natural curls to relax and ensure a smooth, frizz-free finish.

If you’re not dead against using heat on your hair, then it might be beneficial to blow dry your hair in sections with a paddle brush while using a heat protectant. This will actually make your hair look more voluminous and stretchy per-section.

If you’re against using heat for your hair, that’s fine. Your best solution is to moisturize then tie it in a bun or braid. You can also air dry and not use heat at all.

4. Find a trained hairstylist

Self-taught braiders will save you a few dollars, but don’t get too excited about the service. The quality of braiding is not comparable to those done by professionals.

It will cost you more in the long run to repair damage from using cheap products to braid hair, so it’s best to choose a hairstyle and care for your hair based on the quality of your budget.

A trained hairstylist will have the expertise to work with various hair types and won’t tension braid your hair too tightly.

When braided your hair, tight braids can lead to irreversible hair loss caused by traction alopecia.

You can expect professional hairstylists to be less distracted and take their time with your hair. Plus, they will provide a level of quality that you would typically receive from a shop if booked up.

5. Clear your schedule

Just like most tasks, braiding can take some time. So be sure to schedule your day’s work time in advance to avoid any inconvenience.

The braider may take a few extra minutes to braid your hair, but the result is well worth it.

The hours it takes to create medium-sized braids are roughly six hours with a quick braider.

You should not braid your hair the day of an event because it could not turn out right or you risk being late. You might want to save this task for the days leading up to it.

Braiding hair can take time, but that doesn’t mean you know exactly how long it will take. You can also be in discomfort on the first day of braiding, so we suggest you leave this to the professionals – they will not only make sure your hair is done in due time, but they will also make sure you’re comfortable throughout.

How long does your hair have to be to get box braids?

You want to make sure that your hair is long enough that it can be braided into box braids or any other type of braid. The 2-inch length should be the minimum requirement for an experienced braid artist.

Just remember that the longer your hair, for any type of braiding, the more versatile and creative you can be with the style and designs.

Conclusion

The time it takes to braid your hair depends on the skill of the person doing the work. A professional stylist would take about 4 to 8 hours to braid your hair, but a novice would take about 8 to 12 hours.

I always recommend going to a professional stylist to get your braids done, to ensure that you won’t get any damages to your natural hair in the process.