Braided hairstyles have stood the test of time as timeless and versatile options for people of all ages and backgrounds.
However, achieving and maintaining the perfect braids requires more than just skillful weaving techniques—it also demands proper care and maintenance of the human hair used for braiding.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore essential tips and techniques for preserving the longevity and vitality of human braiding hair.
Understanding Human Braiding Hair:
Human braiding hair, also known as braiding extensions or braiding hair, is typically made from natural human hair sourced from donors around the world. Unlike synthetic hair, human hair offers a more realistic look and feel, allowing for greater versatility in styling and maintenance. Understanding the characteristics of human braiding hair is essential for ensuring optimal results and longevity.
- Quality: The quality of human braiding hair can vary depending on factors such as origin, processing methods, and donor characteristics. Premium-quality hair is usually sourced from healthy donors and undergoes minimal processing to preserve its natural texture and integrity.
- Texture: Human braiding hair comes in various textures, including straight, wavy, curly, and kinky. Selecting the right texture is crucial for achieving desired braid styles and ensuring seamless integration with natural hair.
- Length: Human braiding hair is available in different lengths, ranging from short to long, to accommodate various braid designs and preferences. Longer lengths offer more versatility but may require additional maintenance to prevent tangling and matting.
- Color: Human braiding hair is available in a wide range of colors, from natural shades to vibrant hues, allowing for customization and personalization of braided hairstyles. Matching the hair color to natural hair or opting for contrasting shades can create visually stunning and dynamic braid styles.
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Preparing Human Braiding Hair for Installation:
Proper preparation of human braiding hair is essential for ensuring smooth and seamless installation and minimizing damage to both the hair extensions and natural hair. Follow these steps to prepare human braiding hair for installation:
- Wash and Condition: Before braiding, wash the human braiding hair with a gentle shampoo and conditioner to remove any dirt, oils, or product buildup. Use lukewarm water and avoid scrubbing or rubbing the hair excessively to prevent tangling and damage.
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- Detangle: After washing, carefully detangle the human braiding hair using a wide-tooth comb or your fingers. Start from the ends and work your way up to the roots, gently removing any knots or tangles to ensure smooth and manageable hair extensions.
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- Moisturize: Apply a lightweight leave-in conditioner or hair oil to the human braiding hair to add moisture and hydration, especially if the hair extensions feel dry or brittle. Focus on the mid-lengths and ends, avoiding the roots to prevent excess buildup.
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Installing Human Braiding Hair:
Proper installation of human braiding hair is essential for achieving long-lasting and natural-looking braid styles while minimizing stress and damage to the natural hair. Whether using braiding techniques such as cornrows, box braids, or twists, follow these guidelines for safe and effective installation:
- Section Hair: Divide the natural hair into small, manageable sections using clips or hair ties to facilitate braiding and ensure even distribution of tension. Start with clean, detangled hair to create a smooth and seamless base for braiding.
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- Secure Extensions: Secure the human braiding hair to the natural hair using a braiding technique of your choice, such as cornrowing, twisting, or weaving. Ensure that the extensions are attached securely but not too tightly to prevent discomfort or hair breakage.
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- Blend Textures: Blend the texture of the human braiding hair with the natural hair for a seamless and natural-looking finish. Use styling products or techniques such as braiding, twisting, or knotting to integrate the extensions with the natural hair texture.
Semi Curly - it is a low-maintenance, wash-and-go texture with curls that pop. This curl pattern has a medium luster, is defined, and voluminous.
Bohemian Curl - This texture is one of our most popular braiding textures. It provides versatility and is easy to maintain. It has lots of body and movement with medium luster, making it easier to be straightened for a smooth and beautiful straight style.
Jerry Curl - It is our tightest curl pattern（3c/4a）for braiding hair. This texture is soft and ideal for tightly coiled or afro-inspired styles.
Kinky Straight - This Texture resembles African-American blown out natural hair. It has the perfect coarseness and fullness . Perfect for blowouts, twist out styles , faux locs styles and more. Can also be straightened or flat ironed.
Spanish Wavy - Also known as Loose Wavy, and Beach Wave. It can be easily blown out or flat ironed.
Soft Straigh - It has no curl or texture . This texture is naturally soft and silky. It is very easy to curl and holds curls very well.
Body Wave - Also known as braiding hair, this bulk (loose, not wefted) hair can also be used for other application techniques such as : crochet, braiding, ventilating, twisting, Wig-making, Brazilian knots, micro beading, fusion and more. Plus, it can be dyed, curled or straightened to achieve your desired look
- Protect Scalp: Protect the scalp and hairline by avoiding excessive tension or pulling during braiding and ensuring that the braids are not too tight. Leave some space between braids to allow the scalp to breathe and prevent irritation or damage to the hair follicles.
Maintaining Human Braiding Hair:
Proper maintenance is crucial for preserving the longevity and appearance of human braiding hair and ensuring that braided hairstyles remain fresh and vibrant for as long as possible. Follow these tips for maintaining human braiding hair:
- Moisturize Regularly: Keep human braiding hair hydrated and nourished by applying a lightweight leave-in conditioner or hair oil regularly. Focus on the mid-lengths and ends, as these areas tend to be more prone to dryness and damage.
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- Protect at Night: Protect human braiding hair while sleeping by covering it with a silk or satin scarf or bonnet to prevent friction and minimize tangling. Alternatively, braid or twist the hair extensions into loose plaits or buns to maintain the style and prevent matting.
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- Avoid Heat Styling: Minimize heat styling and use of hot tools on human braiding hair to prevent damage and preserve its natural texture and integrity. If heat styling is necessary, use a heat protectant spray and keep the temperature low to minimize the risk of heat damage.
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- Cleanse Gently: Cleanse human braiding hair periodically to remove dirt, oils, and product buildup using a gentle shampoo and conditioner. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive techniques that can strip the hair of its natural oils and cause dryness or damage.
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- Protect from Elements: Protect human braiding hair from environmental factors such as sun exposure, humidity, and chlorine, which can cause dryness, frizz, and damage. Wear a hat or scarf outdoors and rinse the hair extensions thoroughly after swimming or exposure to saltwater or chlorine.
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- Retouch as Needed: Monitor the condition of human braiding hair regularly and retouch or replace braids as needed to maintain the appearance and integrity of the hairstyle. Pay attention to signs of matting, tangling, or breakage and address any issues promptly to prevent further damage.
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Maintaining human braiding hair requires diligence, care, and attention to detail to ensure optimal results and longevity.
By following proper preparation, installation, and maintenance techniques, individuals can preserve the beauty and vitality of their braided hairstyles and enjoy them for weeks or even months at a time.
Whether opting for classic braids, trendy twists, or intricate designs, human braiding hair offers endless possibilities for creative expression and style.
So, embrace your unique hair texture, experiment with different lengths and colors, and let your braids become a true reflection of beauty and individuality.