Remember when we were kids, and our moms would not let us out of their sight before tying our hair properly into either ponytails or braids? None of us particularly enjoyed that and couldn’t wait for it to get over. Believe it or not, tied hair was a blessing in disguise, especially in the case of braids.
Now that we are all grown up, we hardly have time to braid our hair. If you compare your childhood hair to your adult hair, most of you would agree that it’s not as good as it used to be. Blame it all on the wrong products, pollution, or even hormones, but it really does have to do a lot with how we tie our hair.
Well, it’s time to start braiding your hair again, not only because it’s stylish and neat but because it’s a panacea for most of your hair problems. Don’t believe us? Continue reading this blog till the end, and you’ll likely change your mind.
Before we move on to the why, let’s talk a little about what hair braids are. For those who don’t know, braids or plaits are made by sectioning the hair, then intertwining or interlacing the sectioned strands to create a pattern. It is a protective hairstyle that’s incredibly diverse, fashionable, and trendy. There are several braiding techniques and styles suitable for different hair types and textures.
Braiding strengthens your hair structurally and keeps it safe from breaking as your strands are organized in a pattern. Braiding hair before bedtime is an ideal practice as it minimizes the chances of breakage caused by tossing and turning. Not just that, your hair quality improves with time, as less friction is produced between your hair and your pillowcase.
Your hair needs some amount of moisture to stay healthy. Braiding locks the moisture into the hair, keeping it nourished for longer periods. When hair is loose, it’s prone to lose moisture more quickly and become dry. Dryness causes the strands to get brittle with time. On the contrary, braids keep hair strands in one place, significantly minimizing moisture loss.
Women with wavy and curly hair struggle with locking moisture, and their hair gets dry quickly. Braiding locks moisture to keep it nourished for longer periods.
Braiding your hair can save ample time spent on untangling the mess in your hair. You can avoid it altogether by keeping your hair in neat braids regularly. Not only does it save you time, but it also ensures lesser hair loss when you comb through the strands. Braiding your hair, especially when you oil it, is an ideal practice. It gives you deeper nourishment allowing the oil to penetrate into hair cuticles, keeping your hair healthy and strong.
No one is a fan of unnecessary frizz, which can spoil your whole look. Although frizz is natural and depends on multiple factors, especially the weather, out-of-whack hair ruins your mood and is difficult to manage.
Braiding can save the day for you by taming the frizz and making your hair manageable. If you reside in a place with hot and humid conditions, your hair will likely frizz no matter how hard you try. The moisture-locking and nourishment ability of braids keeps drying and frizz at bay.
Staying outdoors for long can damage your hair in unimaginable ways. Protecting your hair is not easy amidst all the pollution and harmful UV rays. Braiding before you step out can protect your hair against damage to a great extent.
When hair is less exposed to these elements, it stays protected. As a result, it keeps split ends and dryness away. However, keep in mind that you shouldn’t braid it for longer than 7-8 hours or keep it too tight. Doing so may put a strain on the hair follicle and contribute to hair loss.
The benefits of braids for curly hair are all-encompassing. Curly hair stylists classify braids as protective styles. To prevent damage to your hair, you simply need to make sure you are styling the braids properly. Clean your hair and scalp before beginning to braid it. Wet and detangled hair is much simpler to braid. It could be beneficial to condition the hair with a leave-in conditioner to give a good slip.
Hair growth depends on multiple factors, such as genetics, diet, lifestyle, blood circulation, and stress levels. As braiding protects hair by preventing breakage and strengthening the structure, it promotes hair growth.
When your hair is woven into a braid, the movement is restricted, and it stays strong. Braiding minimizes the daily wear and tear caused due to friction. All these factors reduce hair loss and hair damage, promoting healthy hair growth.
Don’t believe the people who tell you that braids are no longer in fashion. Braids are still the best for styling your hair. They never went out of fashion and are definitely here to stay. Today there are many trendy braid styles available for you to look great.
Braiding is also ideal for summers when you want to stay cool and attractive. If you want to curl your hair without heat, you can use braids to curl it and give it a natural shape and texture. With a plethora of braid styles available, you can create a new look every time and keep your hair as gorgeous as ever.
With that said, there’s simply no reason why you wouldn’t want to braid your hair frequently. Although braiding is great for your hair, make sure you avoid tight braiding hairstyles causing strain to the roots. It can lead to itching and cause damage to the hair shaft. The ideal way is to change hairstyles frequently for healthier hair. It is also important to nourish your hair and follow a hair care regimen to promote your hair’s quality, life, and growth.
Now that you know the benefits of braids, you should make it a part of your routine to give your hair special attention. In case you aren’t great at styling your hair and need a professional hand, we have good news for you. The experts at Hair Forest Salon specialize in various types of braids and hairstyles and can promise you a new look every time. Book your appointment today, and your inner diva will be eternally grateful!