Cornrows and braids are one of those timeless styles that have
crossed all gender and ethnic gaps. In fact, nothing is more
beautiful than heedful of intricate braids and rows and no two
styles are exactly alike. That is why more and more people are
choosing to express themselves and their individual style
through braiding and rowing.
But as with all styles, cornrows come with their own special
challenges and problems. One of the most obvious problems
associated with any tight braiding technique is breakage. While
black hair has fewer tendencies to break than Caucasian hair, it
can still take a great deal of abuse if the braids are not done
and cared for properly. In addition to breakage, you can also
experience dull, frizzy and dry hair as a result of wearing
cornrows or braids.
To avoid all of these drawbacks and to keep your braids looking
shiny and neat, follow the following care tips:
· Choose your artist wisely – As with any artistic field,
braiders come in many levels of expertise. Be sure to choose one
that has been in the business for a good while. Also, ask to see
sample photos of the stylist’s work. This will give you a good
idea about their level of expertise. · Grow hair to proper
length – In order to get a good braid, your stylist has to have
enough hair to work with. A good rule of thumb to follow on
length is 10cm for straight hair and a minimum of 5 cm for curly
hair. · Cleanse without disrupting – Granted, shampooing your
hair with all of those rows and braids is not an easy task. To
clean down to the scalp without disrupting your style you can
use a shower massager or dental water pick. · Wrap to prevent
frizz and breakage – When you’re sleeping, your hair comes into
constant contact with your pillow and your movements cause
friction and tension to be applied to your braids. This can
result in fly away hair, frizz and breakage. To avoid this
simply wrap your head with a do rag or cloth before sleeping. ·
Keep salon appointments – If your braid artist tells you to get
a trim every 6 weeks, do so. And if he or she tells you to get
your braids redone within a certain time frame, be sure that you
do. This will help keep your braids looking neat and fresh.