Micro Braids

Braiding hair is an ancient art that can be tracked back to early Egyptian times. The styles and looks of braids have changed greatly from their start in the hairstyle world. In Africa, the tradition of braiding has stood the test of time, and is still being passed on from generation to generation. This is also the case for braiding in America as well!

The most commonly seen type of braid is known as a ''basic braid''. Consisting of intertwining three equally sized strands of hair to form one large braid, a basic braid is one of the easiest braiding styles to achieve. The term ''micro braid'' means lots of very small braids covering the entire head. Micro braids generally start from the crown or forehead area of a persons head. While cornrows are braids that lay flat on the head, microbraids hang in a downward direction and flow freely, just like your natural hair.

You can have beautiful micro braids by following a few simple steps:

*Healthy hair is easier to maintain, and micro braids can be stressful on the hair. Try getting a deep-conditioning treatment before braiding. Trimming the hair to remove split ends could cause less stray hairs from popping out of the braid.

*Check with your stylist prior to getting micro braids if your hair has been relaxed.

*If you would like longer and fuller braids, you can add extension hair to your natural hair while braiding. However, make sure you match the extension hair with the middle to ends of your hair. If you match the extension hair to the root of your natural hair, it will be darker than it should.

*Thick shampoos, conditioners, and pomades can leave residue on your braids and could even cause a dry, itchy scalp. To avoid this, use a ''dry'' shampoo or an astringent to clean the scalp.

*Micro braids can encourage growth; however it is very important to properly care for the hair before, during, and after getting Micro Braids. Before you get them, be sure to have your stylist give you a deep condition. While the hair is braided, be sure to keep the scalp clean and moisturized with a crme based moisturizer. Once you remove the braids be sure to wash and deep condition the hair as well.

*Your micro braids should ALWAYS be completed by a professional stylist. The reason for this is because having braids that are too tight or too small can put undesired weight and tension on the scalp, as a result this could cause traction alopecia.

*Always drink plenty of water, eat nutritious foods, get plenty of sleep, and avoid as much stress as possible. The healthier you are, the healthier your braids will be and the better they will look.

Many people desire micro braids because they are very versatile when it comes to styling possibilities. They are also one of the easier styles to care for. You can't just leave your braids alone and expect them to look beautiful day after day. For beautiful braids, make sure you are moisturizing and conditioning regularly. If your styling products are too thick, you can dilute them slightly so they will be less likely to cause build up on the scalp.

Wearing your micro braids for longer than three months can result in the hair becoming matted, and cause other unnecessary risks to your hair. To take the micro braids out, start by carefully cutting off the extension hair. Make sure to get as close to your natural hair as possible, but don't cut your natural hair. Wet the hair and use a medium-toothed comb to pick and brush out the ends. Work your way up to the root, then comb the entire head with a wide-toothed comb. Then, wash you hair with a good quality clarifying shampoo to remove any dirt or debris that has accumulated on your hair. Shampoo again with normal shampoo, then condition and finally, dry and style as usual.

Article by: MarquettaBreslin | Total views: 32 | Word Count: 655

About the Author

Marquetta, founder of Braids By Breslin, has been braiding and weaving hair for over 14 years. For more information on micro braids, please visit Marquetta at www.braidsbybreslin.com.