How I Wash My Box Braids

braided sections
When trying to decide how often it's best to wash your hair while you have this kind of protective style, you will get a full range of advice. Everything from weekly to not at all. Some people do great with not washing their hair/cleaning their scalp for 6+ weeks, but I am not one of them. I wanted to be, really I did, but I think I'm too spoiled by the frequency that I wash my hair at this point. Two weeks is my limit. Plus my scalp was already upset over this whole ordeal anyway. 

I hoped every two weeks would work out well for me and it has. Since I planned for six weeks with these braids, I've only had to wash them twice and then it'll be time to take them out. Here's how I went about it:

{1} Separate the braids into six sections: 3 in the front, 3 in the back. Braided the length of each section (not very tightly) and secured the bottom with a rubber band.

{2} I used my applicator bottle with SM African Black Soap Deep Cleansing Shampoo and water to apply shampoo directly to my scalp. Cleaned my scalp using my fingertips and lifting each section outward which made it easy for my finger to get in between the braids. 

{3} After rinsing once, my scalp still felt irritated/itchy so I reached for Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat shampoo. I've used it maybe twice before, but this time I started loving it. I massaged it directly on my scalp and it felt great! 

{4} Rinsed and towel dried to soak up the excess water. 

{5} I mixed Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Conditioner with some water in a spray bottle beforehand. I sprayed this mixture generously throughout the length of my hair then sealed with a mix of grapeseed and coconut oils. I did this going section by section, unbraiding each one as I went.

{6} Tied my hair down with a scarf to finish drying smoothly. 

I decided to wash my hair in braided sections to minimize friction between braids in hopes that it would reduce the chance of fuzzy braids afterwards and it did. I felt my braids still looked just as fresh the next day as they did originally. With those great results, I repeated these steps for wash day the second time. The only difference was the sole use of the Giovanni shampoo the second time around. My scalp is loving it right now. Washing these braids was a lot less of a hassle than I expected it to be. The braids didn't take very long to dry either. My only hope is that using the conditioner spray I made sufficed for my usual deep conditioning session.  

Here is how I styled my braids after one of my wash days:


I don't know what to call this style, but I loved it!



8 comments:

  1. I love the tips. I wear protective styles a lot, and that's pretty much the way I wash my hair too. You have to make sure that your hair is completely dry.

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    1. Thanks Nerline! Yea, I was surprised mine didn't take too long to dry. That was one of my concerns.

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  2. No deep conditioning for hours?
    No detangling?

    Oh yes box braids---how I'd love a wash day like this!

    KLP | SavingOurStrands

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    1. Right!! The ease of this style is the #1 reason I continue to force myself to keep it in lol

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  3. When you say rinse, are you using the shower or spraying with fresh water from the spray bottle?

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    1. Hi - I rinse using the water from the shower. I used the spray bottle to apply my watered down conditioner. Thanks for stopping by!

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  4. Hi I was wondering...what type of hair do you use and how much does it cost?

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    1. Hi! When I braid my own hair, I use Xpressions Braiding hair. It's about $3.99 a pack at my local beauty supply.

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