Braids and cornrows are quite popular among those fascinating fancy hairstyles. Weaving of three strands of hair together in intricate designs is nothing less than an artwork.
Braids offer endless styles and patterns, which look wonderful on children. They last long and there is no need of using chemicals. It is necessary to wash the braids regularly. A biweekly shampooing is necessary to save the scalp or the hair from damage.
You can choose a particular braiding style depending on your preference and hair type. For example, it is advisable to stay away from mini-micro braids if you have brittle hair.
It is necessary to be careful while twisting and turning the braids into different styles, especially if you have a delicate scalp. Remember that braiding tightly can cause damage to the scalp and hair. Use a good quality synthetic fiber for braiding. Make sure that you do not leave braids in for more than 2 ½ months. Otherwise, it may cause severe breakage by locking up. Avoid heavy and thick shampoos, conditioners and pomades while washing. Use light hair oil for your scalp.
You need to be careful in using a conditioner after you wash your braided styles. Better to avoid leave-in conditioners. They soften the hair and loosen braids. Creamy conditioners are also harmful, as they are hard to wash out. You can use cotton, silk or satin scarf to cover braids. A cotton scarf would be the best choice if you have oily hair. Cotton absorbs the excess oil in the hair and allows the hair to breathe.
Cornrows or track braids lay against the scalp without any tension. It is one of the healthiest of all braiding styles. You can make cornrows by a process of braiding and picking up hair along a row. You can use your own hair or artificial hair extensions to design it. The hair to make cornrows should be approximately 5 cm in for springy African hair and 7 to 8 cm for straight hair. However, you can manage with shorter hair if you use extensions.
With proper maintenance, cornrows can last from four to six weeks. The hair may lock or matt if you leave them for too long. Keep your hair moisturized and protect it from harmful elements. Cover your hair with a silk or satin scarf while sleeping at night. It is better if you can sleep on an African headrest. Unbraid the cornrows immediately if you find them tight and uncomfortable.
About the Author
My name is Marquetta Breslin and I'm a professional hair braider with over 12 years of experiance. I own http://www.braidsbybreslin.com where I sell intructional hair braiding and weave DVDs teaching the world how to braid and weave.