Get the autumn look
PROTECTIVE HAIRSTYLES AND TREATMENT: BRAID IT, LOCK IT, KEEP IT
Expert shares secrets on how to keep hair protected.
Keep braids or locks photo-ready and healthy with easy to do tricks and tips from Darling Hair expert Emelang Moyo. With over 20 years of experience in hair care, Moyo shares advice on the best way for keeping hair healthy when wearing braids. “Women tend to neglect their hair when they’re wearing braids resulting in dry, brittle and breaking hair – and no woman wants to experience that! To lessen the stress on the hair, I recommend the tips below to my clients to encourage healthy scalp and strong hair growth,” says Moyo.
SHAMPOOING AND TREATMENT
Go for a treatment before putting on a new set of braids as this will help with overall health of the hair and scalp, keeping your hair hydrated and strong.
It is wise to use a moisturising treatment for the scalp to replenish moisture, oils and nutrients often lost when hair is braided because the scalp is exposed to elements. This also helps prevent itchiness and flaking of the scalp.
SHAMPOOING
The hair takes strain when it’s pulled and kept under braids. Once you have your braids in, make sure to shampoo with a hydrating shampoo and lukewarm water once every two weeks over a six-week period. A hydrating shampoo does not only cleanse the hair and scalp but is gentle and will not leave your hair and scalp feeling coarse and dry.
HAIR SPRAYING
Having braids doesn’t mean you can just forget about your hair. It is advisable to moisturise your hair and scalp with a good conditioning braid spray like African Pride Olive Miracle braid sheen spray at least two or three times a week. Ensure that you shampoo your hair to also remove product build-up, as it leads to flaking and itchiness that is often confused with dandruff, which is a medical condition. If you tend to use either a hair food or braid spray more than you’re meant to, and end up with flaking product build-up, then shampoo your hair instead of scraping it off as this may lead to damaging the scalp.
DEEP CONDITIONING
When deep conditioning is done correctly and at the recommended time, it will be easier to create attractive styles with your braids knowing that you can show off your styled braids in confidence. After you’ve taken your extensions out, deep condition your hair to restore the moisture that was lost when you had hair extensions in, this will also replenish your hair and scalp in time for your next braid session.
SLEEPING
All women know the challenges of waking up with dull-looking hair the morning after a good night’s rest.
Protect your braids and keep them on longer by tying them in a wide holed hair net designed for your braid style. This keeps your hair intact while you sleep. In the morning, you’ll need far less time to get the look just right.
STYLING
When styling your braids with styling accessories, be gentle so you do not pull the roots of the hair off your scalp and cause baldness and scalp irritation. Brushing with a soft brush around the hairline is important especially when the braids are a couple of weeks old. This gives the style a neat and polished look.
Having braids doesn’t mean you can just forget about your hair.