Box braids can damage Caucasian hair, just like they can damage any other type of hair. The braids require you or a stylist to braid extension hair with your natural hair using tension (to ensure the braids won't slip or unravel).
Mythbusting: Braids & Hair Growth
But unfortunately, braiding hair does not speed up growth rate. Your hair grows at a rate determined by genetics, while lifestyle factors like your diet and stress levels can cause thinning and breakage. But the way you wear your hair is not a factor in your hair growth rate.
“When done properly, it prevents traction alopecia, which is a common form of hair loss for women who have braids that are installed too tight with the large knots,” says Williams. She does warn that the knotless technique does take longer to install, but it's worth it for the health benefits of the hair and scalp.
Yes, tight braiding and weaves—even tight buns and ponytails—when worn over long periods of time can cause irreversible hair loss, called traction alopecia (baldness). This is because chronic pulling of the hair causes too much tension and traction on the follicles, causing them to permanently dislodge from the scalp.
Ponytails and braids -- "Ponytails and braids can cause hair to break, especially if your style is pulled tightly," Mirmirani says. "If you wear it that way every day, permanent hair damage can occur." Braiding or putting your hair in a ponytail when it's wet can cause damage sooner because wet hair is more fragile.
Keeping your hair in braids reduces friction between your hair and pillow, reducing hair breakage. Amp it up, and get silk pillowcases for even less friction! It also keeps your hair tamed and more structured, resulting in less snarls and frustrating tangles when you wake up in the morning.
Traction alopecia is defined as hair loss caused by pulling on the hair. This type of hair loss can be caused by too-tight ponytails, buns, and braids. Symptoms of traction alopecia begin as small bumps on the scalp. As the condition progresses, hair begins to fall out and break off.
Keeping them any longer may cause damage to your scalp and hair. Instead of tight braids, try loose ones like French braids, linear plaits, or fishtail braids.
Do Braids Make Your Hair Grow Faster? Braiding your hair can help to make it grow faster by providing it with a more stable structure. The style can also protect your hair from daily contact with textiles and objects that may cause additional friction, which can lead to breakage.
You can get your braids wet in the shower, pool, and when it's raining. However, we do recommend taking certain precautions to protect your braids from fungal growth, hair damage, frizz, and unraveling.
Use a Silk Pillowcase
Silk pillowcases decrease friction against your braids at night and won't dry out your hair. Plus, these pillowcases protect your hair in case your bonnet or scarf comes off while sleeping. A satin pillowcase is also fine, although I would avoid using a cotton pillowcase.
She says eight weeks tops, especially if you have bigger braids, which won't last as long as smaller ones. "When your braids start growing out and displaying a lot of new growth, it's usually an indication you need to take them out," she says.
Though braids don't have a direct impact on hair growth, they have an impact on hair health. They can help growing hair stay healthy and strong, keeping it moisturized while it continues to grow. For more information on hair braiding and health, visit a hair Pro in your neighborhood and discuss your style options.
Box braids are a protective style that can last you 4-6 weeks with proper care. It is great for the summer because your hair is fully protected. You can get braids wet, therefore you can easily wash them weekly to keep your scalp clean.
“If you have in a style like sewn-in hair extensions or braids for a few weeks, a buildup of hair will shed because it has been stored inside your braids [for an extended period of time].”
Although braids can last anywhere between two to eight weeks depending on which kind you go for and how you wear them, you should be prepared to cleanse roughly every two to three weeks. If you've been swimming (or happen to sweat a lot), your scalp will require a bit of TLC.
Braid Gently To Avoid Damage
Wet hair is more fragile, so it might be best to sleep with your style completely dry. Plus, some people find that when sleep with wet hair braids, it doesn't curl as much as they'd like it too. It's basically a win-win to sleep with dry hair.
Use fabric hair ties.
This is one of the most important tips for a healthy ponytail: throw away your old hair ties! Any bands with metal on them are likely to catch on your hair, while tight elastics leave your hair dented and can snag. Instead, choose hair ties made from fabric. Our favourites are from Popband.
Micro Box Braids
Thin braids can last up to three months, which out of all the braid sizes, is the longest time without having to go back to the salon––a gift in and of itself.
Typically, if you leave it in for longer than that, not only is there going to be a considerable amount of build-up (even if you do wash it every few weeks or so), but the new growth can cause your braids/twists to put too much pressure on your hair; that can result in breakage.