Technique Thursday | Taking down Braids To Minimize Breakage..

Images not mine & found on Pinterest

A friend of mine installed box braids and wore it for 4 weeks and wanted to remove and relax her hair the following week. She unraveled, didn’t detangle and jumped into the shower to shampoo, while rinsing out her hair she realized her roots were matted and detangling was too difficult.  She applied her deep conditioner for 30mins and rinsed. After getting out the shower her entire head was matted and she called me panicking. It’s a good thing she knows I’m on a hair journey and take really good care of my hair if not she would have ended up with a pixie hair cut after having shoulder length hair. She said "Tomi my hair is matted and I don’t know what to do, I’m coming by you now”. I wasn't busy so I helped out my friend. Take a look at how much hair was lost during the un-matting session. Majority of it was shedded hair but there was some breakage.

Hair loss during detangling session

Methods I took to help detangle

[1]   Grabbed for my Mane n Tail detangler

[2]   Wide width tooth comb

I could see the distinct 'part' of each plait from when it was braided so I sprayed Mane n Tail detangler on her roots and the matted area and carefully used my fingers first, followed by a wide width tooth comb to detangle. I worked on each individual unraveled plait to make sure ALL the matting was conquered.  There was some breakage but it was inevitable due to her hair been wet and the heavy matting. Detangling took 2 hours but she was still left with hair on her head, tangle free which was the most important factor.

Knots which are formed above where the braid started

Here’s my suggestion to minimize breakage while taking down braids:

[1]   There will ALWAYS be a HUGE single strand knot above where the braid started and the

        space where the amount of hair that grew out. Word to the wise

[2]   Detangle each individual plait that was braided and get rid of the knot as you go along and 

       not at the end of taking down all the braids. It’s just easier.

[3]   Saturate each unraveled plait with a natural oil or a conditioner that has a lot of slip to 

       help detangle.

[4]   Additional back up will be to grab the Mane n Tail detangler to spray your roots or any 

       other great detangler.

[5]   Use your fingers FIRST, then follow up with a wide width comb to ensure all the tangles 

       are out. When using a wide width (preferably seemless) comb start from the ends and 
       work your way up to the root. DO NOT drag from the root to ends.

[6]   Becareful and gentle while removing the knots. If you are in a hurry do not undertake this 

       task. A lot of PATIENCE is required to minimize breakage. Single strand knots can be 
       very frustrating.

[7]   Pull your hair gently in a horizontal direction to release your hair from the knot

[8]   After detangling the back, sectioned it off so it doesn’t get caught up in the other sections.

[9]   Apply your Prepoo, Shampoo, Deep Conditioner & leave in Conditioner’s in sections. 
[10] Airdry and style as desired.

Head over and join the link up with us today showing us some of your hair and beauty technique’s.

What methods do you use to take out your braids?

Be inspired…