Duration. As a result of their feed-in technique, knotless braids do not last as long as traditional box braids. In general, you should expect any knotless braid to last about six weeks, depending on your natural hair texture.
Box Braid Length
Micro box braids, or thin braids, can actually last for up to three months. This is because this particular type of braids has smaller parting sections, which allows more access to your scalp. More access means you can moisturize and wash your braids more easily and keep them healthy.
When wearing twists or braids as a long-term protective style, it is better to make them small or miniature. Bigger twists and bigger braids tend to frizz faster, thus reducing the duration of the style.
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.
Knotless braids for natural hair can last up to three months, but how long your knotless braids will last depends on three things: your hair texture, how you take care of them, and how large the braids are.
Knotless box braids last for between two to three months with salon maintenance, according to Oludele, who recommends clients come in after one or two months of wearing knotless box braids.
"Knotless braids are definitely a better option because [they put] less stress and tension on the hair and scalp," says Williams. "Braids can still be heavy if too much hair is used in the extension," she adds. But, she notes that when the technique is done correctly, you can help prevent traction alopecia.
According to Gemma, gradually adding hair to the braid means “knotless braids are an overall safer option, because the method creates less tension and pulling on the roots, so there's less chance of traction alopecia and follicle damage.”
Unlike standard box braids which place extra tension on your natural hair, knotless box braids offer you this popular style without the worry of hair damage. Since the knotless extensions are being “fed” into your braids, the tension is significantly lower on your natural hair.
It is a quick protective style for vacation," explains the braider. Finally, choose smaller braids if you really want to take advantage of the protective nature of the style. "Small is a great style for growing your hair, has a fuller look, lasts longer, and provides more versatility with styling," she notes.
Two to eight weeks is a general rule of thumb–with styles like jumbo cornrows staying in for less time and styles like box braids (that you can wash easily) staying in for longer.
There's no breakage.
Also without a knot, there's no friction at your scalp, meaning no breakage and less shedding. It's a truly protective style.
Box braids are a protective hairstyle in which natural hair is separated into box-shaped sections. Then extensions are braided into the natural hair. This allows you to add length and thickness to your hair, which is especially helpful if you have thin or fine hair.
While you can wear some protective styles, including knotless braids, up to 8 weeks, we recommend 4-6 weeks of wear to avoid any long-term damage to your hair underneath. Make sure you have a firm understanding of your hair's porosity prior to getting your knotless braids.
What Are Lemonade Braids? Lemonade braids are named after Beyonce's “Lemonade album” in which she frequently rocked a side cornrow style. They are a sort of a braid “combo-deal”. You got a little bit of cornrow, mixed in with some Fulani style, a dash of Goddess braids, and a whole lot of laid edges and feed-ins.
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.
Though they do get rusty more quickly than regular box braids, they can last between four to six weeks or more depending on how well I take care of them. Here's how I maintain knotless box braids using a few products that clean, moisturize, and tame frizz to keep my braids looking neat!
But three months is the longest you'd want to keep your braids in. "Sometimes after that it can get a little dangerous because it could start to break off, dread, and knot up," says Stephen. Lacy Redway, Nexxus style and trends curator and celebrity stylist, suggests an even shorter timeline.
They can be expensive.
Since knotless box braids involve adding hair down the length of the braid, they take more time than traditional box braids. And this time is usually factored into the price you'll pay for installation.
If you don't have a lot of time to get your hair done, large box braids only take 3-6 hours, significantly less than the smaller sizes. With large parting sections, your scalp isn't as accessible to clean and moisturize. These braids also don't last as long, usually between 6 – 8 weeks.
How long do they last? "With proper maintenance, passion twists can be up to eight weeks and a bit longer if you don't mind a little frizz."
When it comes to length retention of type 4 hair, box braids are probably number one on the list – and also last the longest of these three. This protective style is super low maintenance and can be worn for a longer duration than twists.
Although Ghana braids can last up to a month if properly maintained with products and hair coverings while you sleep, both experts recommend wearing Ghana braids for two weeks only (three weeks max, says Francis) so that the hair doesn't dry out and take your style from protective to damaging.