One of the top complaints about box braids, besides the ridiculous amount of time you spend getting your hair braided, is the terrible itch the often comes with it. What's that all about? You washed, deep conditioned, moisturized and oiled your hair before arriving at your stylist, so we know that your hair isn't dirty. Well, I finally have an answer for you. It's all about the proper way to prepare the hair fiber you use to create those amazing braids.
If you braid with strictly human hair, you should be soaking your hair as well. A lot of human hair brands have been treated with hair colour and other chemicals that could irritate your scalp. Cleanse the hair to be on the safe side.
Most of use synthetic braiding hair create these plaited crowns of glory. Did you know that synthetic hair is usually treated with Alkaline Lye in order to make it heat resistant? Yes, that Alkaline Lye is what allows you to seal the braids in boiling hot water or burn the ends of the hair to keep them from unraveling. It's also what's irritating the hell out of your scalp, and causing some of you to remove your braids within a week of installing them.
Alkaline Lye also helps the braiding hair to keep from molding and breeding all kinds of unhealthy things on your scalp. If you are apart of the large population that is irritated by the high alkalinity, there is an easy solution to your burning issue. Wash the synthetic hair before installing it.
Synthetic Braiding Hair Soak
- 1 cup of Apple Cider Vinegar
- 5 cups of warm water
- Soak the hair in this mixture for 1 hour and rinse thoroughly.
- Repeat as necessary for the amount of braiding hair you have.
- Allow air dry.
If you braid with strictly human hair, you should be soaking your hair as well. A lot of human hair brands have been treated with hair colour and other chemicals that could irritate your scalp. Cleanse the hair to be on the safe side.
Have a Good Hair Day!!!
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