Just as a well-tended garden leads to a healthy crop, a well-groomed scalp leads to longer, healthier hair.
While sleeping, wear a cap or wrap your hair with a satin scarf to keep it in place. This stops tossing and turning from pulling on or tangling the braids.
In the morning, once the cap or wrap is removed, the braids can be styled with ease.
It is generally recommended to wait at least 7 days after braids are set before shampoo washing, so the braids keep their setting. Some prefer to wait longer.
After a while you will want to clean your scalp and ease itching. Braided hair and scalp can be washed with regular shampoo and conditioner.
The first braids to loosen are around the front and sides, where the hair is shorter and grips the extensions less firmly.
Most stylists offer a touch-up service to restore loosening braids — usually after two to three weeks.