Wondering if braids make hair grow?
Misinformation is rampant in the natural hair community, likely because many people are just getting to know their curls and frizzy hair.
Dubious information about hair growth miracles keeps popping up on the internet and spreading like wildfire.
One of the most popular myths is that braids make hair grow faster.
That’s not entirely true, and we’ll tell you why in this article.
Info or intox: braids make hair grow?
Braids do not make hair grow faster. They allow your hair to avoid frequent tangling, rubbing and other manipulations, which contribute significantly to damage and breakage.
When you do braids, well, braids allow the hair to grow longer. However, they do not grow faster.
That is a difference to be made. It is not uncommon to come across people who claim that they have gained inches thanks to their braids.
The latter have indeed not gained extra centimeters compared to when they did not make braids.
Thanks to the latter, they were actually able to better retain the inches of hair that managed to grow while they had the braids, because with this hairstyle, the hair is less manipulated.
Hair has a normal growth rate , but due to different factors such as hair products, straighteners, hair dryers, blows from brushes, combs and others, that it experiences every day, well, they break.
Braids protect
Braids are considered as protective hairstyles and therefore they help to protect the hair from all those things that are able to break it.
However, to be able to observe the lengths that the braids have allowed you to retain, there is a certain way to remove and maintain them.
- To start, you will have to choose a competent hairdresser . Your hair is very important and you have to know who to entrust it to.
Note also that the braids should not be too tight .
- As usual, make a good shampoo: for example once a week.
- Once finished, you can take a conditioner of your choice that you apply.
- It will be necessary to keep the scalp very clean – condition then rinse. Using a towel, wring out.
Allow to air dry.
- Now, it will be necessary to hydrate , and this, correctly. You can do this with a moisturizing spray .
To do this, take some vegetable oils that you mix with water and add a moisturizer .
You should not use products on your hair that contain mineral oil or petroleum jelly , as these have no moisturizing action.
Also, be careful not to let your braids hang out too long . On average, they should be left for 2 to 3 weeks .
Following a certain technique, you can remove them so that your hair does not break.
Factors that influence hair growth
Genetics and health
When you are healthy, your hair grows continuously.
The average rate of hair growth is approximately between 0.8 and 1.5 cm per month, regardless of your hair type.
some people’s hair grows faster due to genetics and hormones.
But overall health is also very important.
Eating healthy , playing sports, not consuming alcohol or drugs, drinking plenty of water, etc. are elements that influence hair growth and quality!
But one of the main factors you need to pay attention to is length retention through a good hair routine.
The hair routine
Length retention refers to maintaining and preserving the hair on your head.
Your hair growth goals will remain unattainable without length retention.
No matter how fast your hair grows, it will break if not cared for properly, and there will be no visible progress.
In order for your new hair to grow into visible length, your ends need to be properly protected, styled, and maintained.
The impact of braids on hair growth
Braids give your hair a break from frequent tangling, pillow friction, and other sources of manipulation, which contribute significantly to hair damage and breakage.
Unless you’re dealing with a problem that specifically causes hair loss, the truth is, your hair is constantly growing.
The challenge is to keep the hair growing.
Now that you know that braiding isn’t the direct cause of hair growth, you might be wondering if braids are right for your hair anyway.
When done correctly, braids are great for your natural hair and can even help you maintain their length!
The different styles of braids
There are many braiding styles and techniques. For example, you can wear braids with extensions or braid your natural hair alone.
Hair extensions are practical and protective because they hold the hair in place and prevent it from fraying, slipping or frizzing.
There are in particular:
- Twists or vanilla.
- Knotless braids.
- Box braids.
- African braids.
- Faux locs.
- etc …
Protective hairstyles give your hair a break from daily handling and friction with fabrics or surfaces.
Braided hair is less likely to tangle and sustain damage.
When are braids bad for your hair?
The problem with braids is that they are not always done correctly or at the right time, which can cause significant damage and decrease length retention.
Below are some scenarios where braids are bad for your hair:
After straightening
Hair becomes brittle after a chemical straightening session, and braiding your hair can further damage it in its weak state.
When they are wet
Braiding hair when wet can be damaging because wet hair is fragile and can break easily. It is therefore best to let the hair dry before you start braiding it.
Immediately after bleaching them
Bleaching changes the structure of the hair, making it more susceptible to damage, and braids can make the damage worse.
When the braids are too tight
Tight braids can lead to a lot of scalp and hair issues, ranging from scalp irritation and bumps to traction alopecia.
If your hair is thinning
No matter how softly you braid, braids pull on your scalp and can make fine hair look even finer.
If your hair is thinning, you need to take a break from hairstyles that can be a bit harsh on your hair.
If you leave them too long
Leave it too long, you risk losing hair and breaking it when you go to undo it.
If any of the above applies to you, don’t beat yourself up.
We all make mistakes on our journey through the world of natural hair! The main thing is to correct these errors!
You know everything now, it’s up to you!
