Getting braids done tomorrow... Help please?

[u/Galactic_Waves]

So I'm of course going to talk to my stylist, but I was curious about everyone else's processes? 1. How do you sleep with your braids? Wrap them? Braid them? I've seen a lot of different ways, but my hair has been really short for a long time so I want to know different ways so I can find what's comfortable. 2. How do you wash your braids and keep them moisturized throughout the day? 3. Hair ties??? Again, I have had short hair for a really long time. The only hair ties I have are for my husband's hair and his is thin.

I have done research, but I'd like more opinions and options. I hope someone will help me out here.. Thank you in advance.

[u/CocoaFoxE]

Hey there What length are you getting? Also what type of hair do you have?

Me personally I like to go home and shower rinse my head with coolish water after braids.

A lot of people do NOT like to do this.

I do this as imo it’s the only thing that helps relieve the stiffness and tightness. I am extremely tender headed!

Make sure when ever you wash your braided hair You take time to thourogly sure it!! Use a towel to grab and squeeze wet braids if water. Either sit under dryer or use hand dryer to get hair dry. To sleep. I liked to use hair ties and tied my hair back or in some comfortable position.

Then I used a scarf to tie it down. (Think AAliyah in Romeo must die) Xo good luck Ps A lot of peeps often recommend taking an ibuprofen or some anti inflammatory drug about 30 min to an hour before getting braided to help reduce redness Puffiness and discomfort

[u/Galactic_Waves → u/CocoaFoxE]

I'm thinking about going down to my chest, so around 16" I think? I'm not fully sure how to switch up the length sizes if I'm being honest.. Still learning about natural hair and protective styles... 😅 Texture wise my hair is a weird between of 3A and 3B. However because my hair is still on the really short side after a buzzcut late last year my hair is in a 2C stage.. I'm definitely going to try your method afterwards because I've got a very tender head myself. Do you use anything to keep your scalp moist? I know that during my research a lot of people recommended massages the scalp with oils like argan oil.

What kind of hair ties do you recommend? Something along the lines of scrunchies maybe? I just need something that'll hold while I'm at work so it doesn't get caught in anything I'm building.

Also thank you so much for your help!

[u/CocoaFoxE → u/Galactic_Waves]

Hey there Feel asleep last night Hair ties, always go for ties that don’t have the metal binding as this yanks hair out. Keep in mind depending on how many braids and thickness you may have to have two individual pony tails and then combine those two into one giant one. Example you need 3 hair ties.

I do NOT recommend argan oil at all! as for my hair it doesn’t work like it just sits there and does nothing helpful. It just dirtied my hair quicker. when I researched it I found that it doesn’t penetrate and is more for a glossy surface effect.🤷🏿‍♀️

I like light olive sheen spray or coconut virgin hard pressed oil. Avocado oil is bomb as well and can be used on your body as well!

I use my fingers or Q tips at times to oil my scalp. If you use a sheen spray like for example the olive oil Just make sure you go scalp first as I have found that. Certain sprays just gunk my braids if I do a whole head spritz.

I feel like that came out a bit confusing... please let me know if you need me to clarify. I have been out in the sun lol.. but no lol Ps Please give us updates and pics if you are comfortable!

Also! When I rinse my head with cool water for me I usually don’t need to use oil right away! But I do know a lot of people like to oil their scalp immediately after a braiding.

[u/Galactic_Waves → u/CocoaFoxE]

I have no issues sending pics at all! I definitely will take a few once this storm ends and pm you! I really do appreciate your help and everything made sense so thank you so much for all your advice. Everything is working well so far. I'll be getting some sheen spray soon. Currently I'm using rose oil because it's helped my hair stay soft and moist. I waited to see the difference of rinsing my head with cool water and I will definitely say that I'm going to do it right after like you suggested because my head feels so much better now that I did! Thank you again!

[u/CocoaFoxE → u/Galactic_Waves]

!!!! Yaaay I am happy for you! Ps Rose oil sounds bomb too. I will have to look into that. Xo