Braids?
 

I am thinking about getting my hair braided and keeping it that way for awhile because I'm tired of combing it. Do any of you do this? If so, what are the pros and cons? I'm talking about cornrows, not extensions. How long can you go before it starts to pull your edges out?

About 5 years ago, when cornrows were becoming hot again...I kept my hair cornrowed for about 2 months over the summer. I'd get it done every two weeks because it was growing like a weed and I just couldn't maintain the style much longer than that. I am by no means an expert on braiding but I think it would take months maybe years of braiding before you notice any damage to your hairline, especially if you keep your hair moisturized, you're braiding your own hair, and the rows aren't super tight.

It's not that the hair gets damaged from occasional braids left in for a while, it's that the braids get "fuzzy" and start to look messy. My daughter's 3c hair looks fuzzy within a week and at 70 bucks a pop, it gets very expensive. Yours would last longer because you can sleep with your hair covered and take better care of them than a little girl.

Vivasmom

I know what you mean. My niece's hair does that with braids in and my sister tries to wrap a silk scarf around her head at night, but you know kids sleep wild, so it's always off the next morning :lol:

I can get it braided cheap, so the money isn't an issue. But I want to keep it up for at least 6 months to a year and I don't want my edges all jacked up. Like Curlilocs said, maybe if I just keep it well moisturized it will be ok. I have been slicking my hair back in buns and ponytails all my life and my edges are ok, so maybe braids won't hurt either. At least I am hoping.

you want to keep the same set of cornrows in for 6 months? That's kind of too long, I think.

for me cornrows only last a week or 2 at most. And Ive never found them to be damaging. They seem to be a good break for my hair.

I just dont like cornrows because they dont look good with my head shape. I need a lot of hair out for my type of face/head.

No, not the same ones for 6 months. I meant just keeping my hair braided for the length of time.

Hey, Gabby!

I just got some cornrows done on Feb 28. I just took them out over the weekend and will be putting them back in today. My hair growth was alot more noticeable over the 3 or so weeks since I wasn't bothered w/ combing it. I'd go for it if I were you. I will be kepping mine in for another month and think I will do them again through the month of June. If you have baby hairs and are somewhat tenderheaded like me, you can just tell them not to pull from the very edges. HTH
There's a picture of the one's from Feb in my hair album.

I had some box braids put in a few summers back...

The worst thing I noticed about them was some breakage around the front edges; my braider might have been braiding too tight. I have waist length hair, and the broken stuff is just now getting to BSL.

Overall, I LOVED having them in, and I really liked the look, too. Not a lot of care required; it was great! 8)

I have a few pictures... I never posted them on the board when I had the braids in, so I am about three years too slow. :lol:

Here they are:

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f6...f%202002/1.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f6...f%202002/2.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f6...f%202002/3.jpg

My cornrows last 2-3 weeks at most (they go that long if I mist them with an oil spray and wrap at night, if not it would be a few days less) and my individual braids, 1-2 months usually. If you are going to do it continuously, I would be careful of them being pulled too tightly as that can cause the hairline breakage others described, and I would also vary the size and pattern of the rows each time so the same areas aren't being stressed. I do my own to avoid that.

Sisa, it's great to finally see your face! I so love your long hair!!!!! That must have taken a while to braid!

ALLLLLL day! :lol:

does anybody wash their hair while it is cornrowed? If so, how? thanks!

does anybody wash their hair while it is cornrowed? If so, how? thanks!

I agree about them being too tight. I just got my cornrows redone....It's important to mention to them not to pull your hair into the braid from the very edges where you may have baby hairs or where your hair is weakest(at your hair line. Braiders have this thing where they think it looks messy if they don't get every inch of your hair in the braid. I don't care, It's little enough hair sticking out where I can just slick it down to look "neat".

IMHO, cornrows may be a little "easier" on your hair, because individual braids can eventually get too heavy and way your hair down at the root, causing breakage. Either one you choose, jsut make sure it's not too tight. HTH

Smokin' hot. :wink:

I think that thin braids like this (are they called micro braids?) as well as the medium thick ones that Janet sported in Poetic Justice look just great. http://www.dacre.org/flash/www/us101602.jpg

I've never had braids other than 2 plaits to sleep in, but they can look really fly, as SISA and Janet demonstrate. Also, I've read that women who get braiding done often can experience loss of hair at the hairline, so that is something to watch out for...

Braiders always say you can't wash cornrows, only individual braids, so I never used to, but then I tried it and it didn't wreck my braids at all. I was just very gentle. I got my head wet in the shower, then I diluted some baby shampoo with water and applied it very carefully to each parting, got it a bit wetter, and then let the water rinse out the shampoo. I then blotted the top of my head with towels by pressing down to press the water out. Then I sprayed a spray-in leave in onto my hair and very gently oiled the parts with my pinky finger.

I just got my cornrows redone today. It's important to ask the braider not to pull your hair into the braid from the very edge/baby hairs, or you may lose or get breakage there. I always have them leave out the very edges of my hair no matter how "messy" they may think it looks. I can alway slick it down w/ gel to make it look "neat".

I think that corn rows in the long run are easier on you hair/scalp IMHO, whereas individual braids can get too heavy and cause you hair to thin or break...

I wash my cornrows either weekly or bi-weekly by just rinsing. I don't scrub... I dilute gentle shampoo w/ water in a little cup and pour it over my head to saturate, then I let the water run through to get the suds out. As they get older I'm able to lift each braid a little to let the water/poo get under and around it. HTH

Thanks guys! I think I'll get them done next week.

Thanks for all the replies!

I will just ask her not to pull my baby hairs in and see what happens.

Sisa

Your hair looks so cute in those braids!

I agree with the above. Good luck.

Thank you.

Please consider posting pics of the braids once they're in... I'd love to see how they turn out. :)