5 Simple Ways To Care For Braided Hair Extensions For Women

Let me guess, you just got your hair braided and you want to know the best way to take care of it? Well, you have come to the right place. As someone who booked appointments for braided hair extensions for years, I know the best way to take care of it.

Whether it's colorful long box braids, large or tiny cornrows, stitch braids, chunky twists, micro braids, braided ponytails, or faux locs, it is important to keep your hair healthy and tidy. Besides, you want to be able to rock your stylish braids for as long as possible. 

Here are some helpful hairdo tips to care for braided hair extensions: 

1. Moisturize Your Fabolous Braided Hair Extensions 

Moisturizing your braided hair extensions can keep your braids healthy and clean. You should moisturize your braided hair extensions with products that specialize in moisturizing them. It is also important to moisturize your real hair as well! Your real hair needs to remain strong as it is kept inside the braided hairstyle. 

You can use well-known braided hair extension products such as Mane n Tail Sheen Spray, African Royale Sheen Spray, Sulfur 8 Medicated spray, or any other moisturizer that works best for you. It can be hair spray, hair lotion, hair cream, or essential oils such as Castor oil. Despite the list of well-known hair extension brands, you should use a moisturizer that's most convenient for you. 

If you don't moisturize your hair, your hair will become brittle, dry, and flaky. Eventually, your scalp will start to itch. Your hair will start to accumulate dandruff, and that isn't a good look. So, it is important to moisturize your braided hair extensions based on your hair type. Some people prefer moisturizing their hair three times a day, while others prefer two days or every other week.

Whatever the case might be, moisturizing your hair extensions can also make your braided extensions last longer. 

2. Wash and Deep Condition Your Braided Hair Extensions 

Washing and deep conditioning your braided hair extensions is important. In order to keep your hair extensions clean and healthy, you should shampoo and condition them on days that work best for you. Depending on the braided hairstyle you have, you should wash your hair every two to three weeks, according to Glamour. 

When shampooing and deep conditioning your hair, you should wash your hair with products that specialize in braided hair extensions. For example, some people that wear braided hair extensions use a popular shampoo called an Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse. If you choose not to do this, you can use a shampoo that suits your needs. 

Moving on, as you begin to wash your hair, massage your scalp with the right amount of shampoo. Then continue to wash the rest of your braided hair extensions with the product. You can deep condition your braids as well by allowing the conditioner to soak inside your extensions; this is optional. 

Once you have thoroughly rinsed your braids with water, you can choose to dry your hair with a towel, or you can also blow-dry it on a low setting. With braided hair extensions, you should avoid blow-drying your hair at high temperatures. It is also an option to air dry your braided hair extensions. If you have really long braided hair extensions, you can wring out the excess amount of water. 

Once your hair has finished drying, you can moisturize your scalp and extensions afterward with a moisturizing product. 

On the other hand, if you choose not to wash your braided hair extensions, your hair will get filthy, smell funky, and become itchy. Therefore, it is important to wash your braided extensions to keep them healthy and looking good. 

3. Protect Your Braided Hair Extensions Before Bed 

You should protect your braided hair extensions before you go to bed by wrapping them with a silk or satin scarf or a bonnet. Protecting your braided hair extensions at night can reduce breakage and lock in moisture.  

However, when you don't protect your hair extensions before bed, your braided hair extensions can get frizzy due to friction as you are moving in your sleep. It can also get tugged on and break-off easily. It can also lose its moisture. That's why you should protect your extensions before bed if you want your hair to remain tidy and fresh. It can also prevent your braids from becoming frizzy. 

4. Style Your Braided Hair Extensions With Care 

Depending on the braided hairstyle that you have, some braided hairstyles can be versatile. For instance, if you have really long box braids, you can style it into a high ponytail or a fancy bow-tie bun. If you have faux locks, you can do a fabulous half-up topknot style with beads. With some braided styles, you can also style your hair into two pigtails if you want to be fun and switch things up. 

Besides, I have stated several unique styles you can do with your braided extensions to demonstrate you should style your braided hair extensions with care. You don't want to be rough and tug on your extensions when styling your hairdo. If you are too rough with your hair extensions, your real hair will become brittle and break off due to the constant pulling. 

So, be gentle when styling your hair, most of the time, it is best to leave your braids alone to prevent breakage. 

5. Don't Keep The Braided Extensions In For Too Long  

Depending on the braided hairstyle that you have, you can keep your braided hairdo in for several weeks, even months! However, it all depends on how well you take care of your braided hair extensions. But when it is time to remove your hair extensions, you'll have to remove them!

You can tell when it is time to remove your hair extensions by monitoring your new hair growth. If you are experiencing a lot of hair growth, you should remove your extensions.

You can also tell when it is time to remove your hair extensions if they are starting to fall out by themselves, or if they are lifting up from your scalp. 

To sum things up, caring for your braided hair extensions is simple and requires maintenance every now and then. 

As long as you moisturize your hair extensions and treat them with care, they will look fresh, tidy, and healthy. Treating your hair extensions with the proper care can also keep your real hair strong and beautiful.

Therefore, you can wear as many braided up-do's as you please, as long as you know the correct way to care for it. Other than that, continue to rock that stylish hairdo!