Braiding and Hair Damage

Woman who is braiding her own hair
Photo: Dreamstime
Q: Is braiding bad for your hair? I'm afraid that the tension caused by braiding will damage my hair. How can I avoid this? Do I need to use a certain braiding method or hair products to avoid damage to my hair?
 
A: The key to damage-free braiding is to use only enough tension to create even, smooth braids. Braids should feel secure, but they should never feel painfully tight. You can use a leave-in conditioner or lightweight hair oil while braiding to help the hair stay smooth and manageable.
 
Done well, braids can be a great way to give your hair a break from everyday styling methods that rely on heat tools, frequent brushing, or constant manipulation. In fact, many people use braids as a protective style to help reduce tangles and minimize daily wear and tear.
 
The most important thing is to avoid creating braids that feel "too tight." If your scalp feels sore, looks red, breaks out in small bumps, or feels like it is being pulled, the braids are too tight and can cause traction alopecia (hair loss from excessive pulling) or breakage over time.
 
Consistent, gentle tension is much healthier than pulling the hair tightly. If you are having your hair braided by someone else, don't hesitate to let them know immediately if the style feels uncomfortable. A braid should never cause headaches.
 
Additionally, keep an eye on the weight of the style. If you are adding hair extensions, avoid making the braids excessively heavy, long, or bulky. The sheer weight of heavy extensions pulls downward on your hair follicles via gravity, causing strain and potential damage even if the initial braiding tension felt fine.
 
If you're wearing a braided style for several days or longer, be sure to keep your hair fresh by using a leave-in conditioner spray to maintain moisture, softness, and a clean scent. Sleeping with a satin or silk bonnet, scarf, or pillowcase can also help extend the life of your braids while reducing friction.
 
Although braids are considered a protective hairstyle, they shouldn't be worn continuously without breaks. To protect your hair and prevent severe tangling from naturally shed hair, you should leave long-term braided styles in for a maximum of 6 to 8 weeks.
 
Once you remove your braids, gently detangle your hair from ends to roots, cleanse your scalp thoroughly to remove any product buildup, and give your hair at least a week or two to rest and recover before installing another long-term braided style.
 
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See also:
 
Damaged hair
 
How to recognize hair breakage
 
How to braid hair