During the dry harmattan season, protective styles like braids and twists with extensions are usually styles of choice. The belief is that hair styles like this keep the hair protected from the harsh dry weather.
While this might be true to some extent, neglecting your hair for weeks while it is in braids can cause severe hair breakage and sometimes actual hair loss. Below are a few tips to help your hair and scalp survive the harsh weather;
Managing Hair that is Prone to Dryness and Breakage When Taking Down Extensions
Wash Day/Styling: If your hair is prone to dryness and breakage during the harsh dry weather, proper wash-day care is essential to prevent dryness and breakage. Cleanse thoroughly to remove buildup, then deep condition with a moisturizing treatment to hydrate the hair before braiding. After rinsing, apply a leave-in conditioner and seal in moisture with a rich sealant to reduce moisture loss. The LCO or LOC method works well for both natural and relaxed hair when the right products are used.
After Braiding: While wearing braids, maintain moisture daily with a lightweight but nourishing moisturizer that can reach your natural hair inside the braids. Focus application on the roots and the length of your natural hair, rather than the full braid, to keep hair hydrated and extend product use.
Sealants we love: If you have fine or relaxed hair we recommend our Ayurvedic Hair Nourisher Serum and if you have medium to coarse natural hair we recommend you get Kimia Vanilla Shea Twist Butter.
Managing Dry, Knot-Prone, Brittle Hair in Braids or Twists (No Extensions)
Before Styling: Follow the same procedure suggested above. When twisting your hair use our Vanilla Shea Twist Butter as both styler and sealant. Remember that a little goes a long way with this product.
After Salon Care: Instead of using a light moisturizer, a creamy moisturizer will be suitable for you. Using a creamy moisturizer with rich ingredients and high water content will allow your twists/braids stay moisturized without getting rough fast. If you do not have a good moisturizer, we recommend our Kimia Creamy Hair Moisturizer for medium to coarse textured hair or Kimia Vanilla 2-in-1 Leave in Moisturizer for fine to medium hair texture.
Managing Dry, Flaky Scalp in Braids
Before Styling: If you battle with a dry or flaky scalp during the dry season, your best bet will be to prepare your hair by washing with the right shampoo before styling. Our customers have gotten good results using Kimia DermaWash Shampoo.
How to: Before washing, properly detangle natural hair and section it to reduce tangling and breakage. Relaxed hair usually tangles less when wet, but gentle handling is still important.
When washing, thoroughly wet the hair and apply shampoo directly to the scalp. Cleanse using the pads of your fingers, not your nails, to avoid irritation. Rinse well and repeat if the scalp is very dirty. On the second wash, leave the shampoo on for 3–5 minutes before rinsing. Follow with a good conditioner, rinse, and style as usual.
After Styling: While wearing braids, don’t wait until the scalp becomes extremely dry or flaky. When needed, apply shampoo to the scalp as you would a scalp oil, leave it on for 3–5 minutes, then gently cleanse using your fingertips. Rinse thoroughly, squeezing excess product from the braids. Apply conditioner to the braids only (not the scalp) and rinse off.
After washing, remove excess water with a towel, apply a moisturizing leave-in conditioner, seal lightly with a light oil, and allow the hair to air-dryor blow-dry. Repeat this routine as needed until it is time to take down your braids.
Summary
Properly prepare your hair before installing braids, maintain it consistently with the right products while styled (see above), and don’t be afraid to wash between styles to keep your scalp clean and your hair healthy. Remember, a clean scalp is the birth place of healthy hair.