It isn’t a shock that most teenage girls when contemplating wearing their hair in a “protective hairstyle” such as Crochet Braids, think solely of the result which is having a cute hairstyle. Many teens are unaware of the importance of scalp/hair maintenance when wearing protective hairstyles.
Who doesn’t consider the idea of looking fabulous when contemplating a new hairstyle? When our hair looks good, we are confident. We smile more. We take selfies. How we wear our hair is a representation of our unique personalities. Teenage girls are no different than the everyday woman. They too desire to look and feel beautiful. We all can agree that a gorgeous hairstyle is an immediate self-esteem booster.
During a recent group conversation, I asked six teenage girls a question.
“Have you ever encountered a situation where you smelled a bad odor coming from your crochet braids?”
4 out of 6 teens answered yes. There are four reasons the teens believed their hair smelled bad:
- Forgetting to shampoo scalp/hair before receiving a crochet braids installation.
- Leaving crochet braids in hair longer than four weeks.
- Sweat due to playing sports and other activities.
- Applying an excessive amount of product to scalp and hair contributing to buildup.
Healthy Hair Hygiene
Shampooing the hair before and after a Crochet Braids installation is imperative. A clean scalp isn’t itchy or sweaty. Clean hair is free of debris. Scalp and hair smell wonderful. Follow up by using a moisturizing conditioner, oil the scalp, moisturize hair and style as usual.
For sweaty scalps use an astringent for skin & scalp such as Sea Breeze or Witch Hazel. Do not pour astringent on hair. Just dip a cotton ball in the astringent and gently rub on the scalp. Also, remind your child that no hairstyle last forever. Leaving hairstyles in the hair for extended periods of time is not a good idea.
The Importance of Braid Foundation for Crochet Braids
The Crochet Braids cornrow foundation is a vital element in the protective hair styling process. Braiding too tight can be painful especially when pulling the crochet braid hair through the cornrows with a crochet tool. Tight braids can cause balding by pulling hair out around headline and nape. Braiding cornrows to tight can also make getting a good night sleep a painful experience. Creating a firm, yet gentle cornrow foundation for your teen Crochet Braids will make the hair styling process for your child a great experience and it will also cause less “picking” and itching at the scalp.
Retaining the Crochet Braids Style
- Cover her head with a satin bonnet while she sleeps at night.
- Oil scalp and hair every couple of days, but don’t over do it.
It is important to know the steps to properly maintain Crochet Braids. With the proper maintenance Crochet Braids can last longer in between styling and can also be an awesome way to protect your natural hair. For more on info on Crochet Braiding: Everything You Need To Know About Crochet Braids – Part 1: Style Options Stay Tuned for part 3 of this 4 part series on Crochet Braiding!!
