Top 10 Do’s and Don’ts for Your Summer 2016 Braids

Ahhh%20the%20sweetness%20of%20summer%20has%20arrived%20and%20for%20most%20of%20us%20black%20girls%20who%20just%20want%20to%20have%20fun%20and%20not%20think%20about%20our%20hair,%20that%20means%20–%20time%20for%20braids.

It’s%20an%20unspoken%20ritual%20–%20scratch%20that,%20it’s%20a%20way%20of%20life%20that%20occurs%20like%20clockwork,%20precisely%20when%20the%20rays%20of%20the%20sun%20perfectly%20align%20to%20penetrate%20earth’s%20northern%20hemisphere.

At%20the%20very%20first%20glisten%20of%20forehead%20perspiration,%20our%20hair%20summons%20us%20to%20attention%20and%20we%20mustn’t%20neglect%20it.%20Much%20like%20being%20caught%20in%20the%20rain%20without%20an%20umbrella,%20being%20caught%20in%20the%20heat%20without%20braids%20can%20be%20disastrous.

Especially%20if%20you%20live%20in%20a%20climate%20with%20both%20heat%20and%20humidity;%20it’s%20a%20recipe%20for%20disaster.%20However,%20we%20know%20how%20to%20make%20lemonade%20out%20of%20lemons,%20or%20in%20this%20case,%20cornrows%20out%20of%20kanekalon.

Although%20Kylie’s%20cornrows%20are%20a%20fading%20fad,%20Black%20women’s%20hair%20isn’t.%20As%20long%20as%20there%20is%20summer%20solstice,%20Black%20women%20will%20continue%20to%20thread%20their%20hair%20into%20beautifully%20braided%20masterpieces.

We%20all%20know%20the%20earth%20orbits%20the%20sun%20365%20days%20in%20the%20year.%20But%20it’s%20right%20around%20the%20173rd%20day%20when%20the%20shift%20happens.%20It%20comes%20in%20waves,%20and%20I%20don’t%20mean%20tousled%20beach%20blonde%20waves.%20No%20no%20no%20hunty,%20I’m%20talking%20about%20Micro%20braids,%20Box%20Braids,%20Cornrows,%20Faux%20Locs,%20Marley%20Braids,%20Senegalese%20Twists,%20Yarn%20Braids,%20Crochet%20Braids%20and%20on%20and%20on.%20It%20happens%20every%20summer.%20We’ve%20been%20doing%20it%20for%20years.%20It’s%20nothing%20new%20to%20us.

Here%20are%20the%20top%2010%20do’s%20and%20don’ts%20to%20carry%20you%20through%20this%20summer’s%20blistering%20heat%20wave:

Do%20Wash%20your%20braids

Pool%20parties%20are%20predictable%20backdrops%20to%20summertime%20fun%20in%20the%20sun,%20but%20chlorine%20(a%20chemical,%20by%20the%20way)%20will%20kill%20your%20strands%20if%20you%20allow%20it%20to%20sit%20and%20marinate%20on%20your%20scalp%20for%20an%20extended%20period%20of%20time.%20

By%20the%20time%20you%20remove%20your%20braids,%20instead%20of%20having%20a%20head%20full%20of%20new%20growth,%20you’ll%20have%20a%20hand%20full%20of%20fallen%20follicles.%20So%20be%20sure%20to%20wash%20and%20condition%20your%20braids,%20scalp%20included,%20after%20every%20pool%20party%20and%20periodically%20thereafter.

Don’t%20Neglect%20your%20edges

Want to know how to do a magic trick? Neglect your edges and watch them magically disappear. Let’s avoid this disappearing act by being attentive to our most delicate vellus hairs. They’re called “baby hairs” for a reason and that’s because they need the most TLC. Spritz a bit of water and dab a bit of oil on your edges daily to keep them alive

Do Show your creativity

Express yourself with your braids. Your hair can be a form of expression. Show the world your artwork by adding hair accessories, such as beads, gold clips, seashells, or flowers. It’s your hair, so have fun with it.

Don’t Braid too tightly

How do you know if your braids are too tight? Check all of the following that apply:

• Tiny bumps have cropped up along the hairline
• It pains you to lay your head on a pillow
• Your facial expressions are limited as to not cause headaches

These are all warning signs that your braids are too tight.

Do Pat that itchy scalp

Never use your fingernail to scratch your scalp. Instead, pat pat pat or rub gently with the pad of your finger. That way, you don’t break the skin on your scalp or destroy your hairdo.

For much needed relief, consider using a braid spray made specifically for itchy scalp. Not only will it soothe but it will also moisturize and add shine to your braids.

Don’t forget your head scarf

Braids aren’t a substitute for your satin scarf. In order to prevent frizziness, proceed with your regular nightly routine and wrap it up.

Do Add Color

Summer is the perfect time to add a little color. Don’t be shy. Go ahead and add those Copper* Honey* colored Rast-Afri braiding hair highlights.

The best thing about it, is that you aren’t damaging your real hair and it’s removeable by the end of summer. Just because your natural hair is black doesn’t mean your braiding hair has to be.

Don’t Be Offended

When you go to work the next day with Senegalese Twists down to your knees, be prepared for the inquisitive looks and inquiries. Your hair is an enigma and a simple, “I got braids for the summer”, should suffice. No other explanation is needed and certainly no touching is allowed without permission.

Do Moisturize

I’ve discovered the best way to moisturize my hair is to allow the steam from the shower to work its hydrating magic! Don’t freak out! It will allow your hair shaft to open and accept the tiny droplets of H2O.

Once you exit the shower, moisturize your scalp and braids with a hair moisturizer and seal it with oil. You don’t need a lot of product. A little goes a long way. Then wrap your hair in a scarf for at least 15 mins. Voila! Your hair will be moisturized, healthy-looking, and neat.

Do Remove your braids

Remember, just like summer, braids are temporary. The longest you should keep your braids is 2 months according to a trusted hairstylist. Bid them adieu until next year. Your scalp will thank you for it.