Can I wash my braided hair? Here's how to properly care for it at home.
Hello. My name is Lily and I work as a braider (a person who braids hair in braids and cornrows) in Aichi Prefecture.
Questions you'll always get asked if you have braids or cornrows
"Does that mean you can't wash your hair?"
What is Black Hair? For those who always do it but don't actually ask in detail at the salon,
Moms of dancing kids should read this too 😊
▪️Can I wash my braided or cornrowed hair?
In short, it's washable!
Hairstyles such as braids, cornrows, and dreadlocks are mainly referred to as black hair .
It's a hairstyle worn by people of African descent.
It's a hairstyle that many Japanese dance kids have been wearing recently, so many people mistakenly think, "That's just the hairstyle for dancing kids."
It's a traditional hairstyle for people of African descent.
I think that dancers imitate this hairstyle as a sign of respect when dancing to black music such as hip hop or reggae. (I hope so 😌)
Why did I tell you this story?
Most people in Japan have straight hair, right?
Most people of African descent have fine, curly hair.
When my hair is not braided, it is very difficult to shampoo it.
It's difficult to grow out your hair because it tangles and breaks easily.
Black hair styles such as braids, cornrows, and dreadlocks are said to have been around for thousands of years.
(I'll write about the history in another post.)
It is said that people braided their hair in an era when there were no hair irons or scissors.
In other words, it's very easy to manage for people with curly hair.
It's a hairstyle that's easy to wash.
However, I think that for Japanese people who usually have easy-to-manage hair, this hairstyle is very difficult to wash.
In Japan, there is a culture of washing your hair every day , and those who have not traveled abroad may think that this is a universal culture.
In fact, the culture of washing hair every day is rare.
I guess it's due to the high humidity in Japan and the Japanese people's love of cleanliness.
Therefore, people with braids, cornrows, or dreadlocks don't typically shampoo their hair every day.
You can wash it every day, but it will break down faster.
On the other hand, there are many cases where the smell of dampness is a concern.
The recommended washing frequency varies greatly from person to person, so please consult your doctor.
How to wash braided hair
How to wash braided hair video
① Lift the ends of the braids with one hand and rinse your scalp thoroughly with the shower.
The key is to not get the ends of the braid wet (if they are short, they will get wet).
② Take the foaming shampoo in your hands and wash your scalp except for the nape of your neck.
Do not wash the ends of your hair unless they are dirty or have something stuck to them. Gently wash your scalp.
③ Gather your hair at the top and wash the nape of your neck.
I've summarized it above, so you can just go ahead and soak in the bath.
I rinse the shampoo thoroughly and generally don't use any treatment.
To untangle curled extensions, wet them, apply the treatment, and comb through with your fingers or a wet extension brush.
▪️How to dry braided hair
①Wipe thoroughly with a highly absorbent towel such as a microfiber towel.
② The ends of the hair are not wet, so dry the roots thoroughly.
There's actually no special way to dry braided hair, but it does take a long time!
It's hard to dry! The only thing you can do is dry it...
By not washing the ends of your hair, you can save a lot of time.
It's hard to get the smell of dampness!
It takes a long time, so I'm often asked for tips on how to dry it.
The biggest tip is not how to dry it, but how to wash it, and to avoid getting the ends wet!
(Short braids will get wet though)
If you don't wash the ends of your hair, or if you're worried about the smell, do it before drying.
Use dry shampoo on the ends of your hair
It can deodorize and disinfect, and also has the effect of making curl extensions look beautiful.
Since it takes a long time, there are also dryer bonnets on the American website that allow you to keep both hands free.
If you want it, try looking for it
If you have dry skin, it's a good idea to apply spray oil or lotion to your scalp.
▪️When you go to bed
If it's short, sleep with a hood on.
If you have long hair, you can tie it up loosely on top.
It is also recommended to sleep with your hair braided.
It rubs off when you sleep, so it's important to take care of it while you sleep!
If your bonnet tends to come off easily, consider using a silk pillowcase.
▪️Other concerns and treatment
Other
What should I do if it itches? What if the smell bothers me? What should I do when styling my hair or removing it?
We receive many questions such as
We try to inform our customers as much as possible during the treatment, but there may be times when we forget to tell them.
I'll try to update this on my blog from now on
If you have any questions, feel free to DM me on Instagram ⭕️
Please send it to me
I've posted a variety of hairstyles, so I hope it will be helpful.