Do Box Braids Break Your Hair?

When it comes to getting box braids, it’s common to be concerned about whether or not box braids will break your hair. In this article, I’m going to share with you my personal experience with box braids as well as an analysis of a survey I performed on my clients who got box braids.

My Personal Experience

Based on my own experience with box braids, I had no hair breakage. When I removed my box braids, I saved the hair that I shed as evidence to show you proof of how much hair breakage I had. (See picture below)

This is how much hair I lost after having box braids for 5 weeks.

Since I kept my box braids for 5 weeks this is the amount of hair that I shed in 5 weeks. At first glance it may look like an intimidating amount of hair. However, it is normal to shed between 50 and 100 hairs a day. Therefore, when I had my box braids my body was naturally shedding hair everyday and the hair that I lost was basically stuck in the braids. When it came time for me to remove my box braids, I encountered all the hair that I shed for five weeks.

Considering hair shedding is a natural process of our bodies, the amount of hair that I lost when I had my box braids is not significant

So did I experience hair breakage?

The answer is no. I simply lost the amount of hair that my body naturally sheds.

My Clients’ Experience

Another piece of evidence I collected to prove that box braids don’t cause hair breakage, is a survey I performed on my previous clients who got box braids. I surveyed 5 clients to gather more information about their experience with box braids, and to know if they would get box braids again or if they would recommend getting box braids to their friends.

In the survey, I asked my clients 5 questions: 

1. How long did you keep your braids?

2. Did you experience major hair breakage?

3. Was this your first time getting box braids?

4. Would you get box braids again?

5. Would you recommend getting box braids to a friend?

I’m going to share with you the top 5 answers:

Bryan’s experience with box braids

Bryan said he kept his box braids for 5 weeks. He did not experience hair breakage, on the contrary his hair grew. It was his first time getting box braids. He would get box braids again. He would recommend box braids to a friend.

Abreon’s experience with box braids

Abreon kept her box braids for about 8 to 10 weeks. She experienced hair growth. It was not her first time getting box braids. She would definitely get box braids again. And yes, she would recommend getting box braids to a friend.

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Ana’s experience with box braids

Ana kept her box braids for 4 weeks. She had no hair breakage. It was her first time getting box braids. She would get box braids again and would recommend getting box braids to a friend.

Samantha’s experience with box braids

Samantha kept her braids for 6 weeks, she had no major hair breakage, it was about her 4th time getting box braids, she would definitely get box braids again because she loves how easy it is to take care of them. And she would recommend a friend to get box braids.

Jomaris’ experience with box braids

Jomaris kept her braids for almost 2 months. She said she experienced some hair breakage. It was not her first time getting box braids. She would get them done again. And she would recommend getting box braids to all her friends.

Based on my clients' answers, we discover relevant data that you must consider before getting box braids:

• My clients kept their braids for an average of 6 weeks 

• 2 out of 5 clients said they had hair growth 

• All of my clients would get box braid again

• All of my clients would recommend getting box braids to a friend

• Only one person said she experience some hair breakage, but notice that she said she would get box braids again and recommends box braids to all her friends

From this survey we can summarize that box braids are pretty safe for your hair and don’t cause any major hair breakage.

Aside from my experience and that of my clients, I would suggest that you give serious consideration to two things before getting box braids:

• The first is your braider. If your braider braids your hair too tight that may cause hair breakage as there is too much tension in your hair. Make sure you find a braider who can do beautiful work, is gentle and cares about the health of your scalp and hair.

• The second thing is hair loss. Hair loss is not the same as hair shedding. If you have an existing hair loss condition, consult with your dermatologist before getting box braids.

In conclusion:

• Box braids don’t cause major hair breakage.

• They actually promote hair growth

• Most people who got box braids would recommend getting box braids to a friend

If you are thinking of getting box braids but you want to know if box braids cause hair breakage, you don’t have anything to worry about. Box braids are safe for your hair. So go ahead and book your hair braiding appointment. Enjoy your braids!