How to Wash Your Box Braids to Keep your Hair and Scalp Healthy
Since most people keep their box braids for 6 to 8 weeks, learning how to wash them is essential to maintaining your scalp and hair healthy.
First, you should prepare for your box braids wash day by purchasing the required products.
Products you’ll need:
Small spray bottle
Your favorite shampoo
Towel (preferably microfiber)
Durag
Blow dryer
Castor oil
Toothbrush or edge style
Hair gel
Step 1. Spray Roots With Shampoo
Get a small spray bottle. The one I use in the video is a 3 ounces water bottle I got at Walgreens for under $2. Fill half of the bottle with water, add your favorite shampoo and shake it to mix the shampoo with the water.
It doesn't matter what kind of shampoo you use. My hair loves the Coconut Milk & Chai Spice Nourishing Shampoo by Hair Food. This shampoo smells good and it’s sulfate free. I got it at Walgreens for under $9. You can use this same shampoo or whatever shampoo your hair likes.
Spray your scalp with shampoo + water solution. Make sure to apply the shampoo to your entire scalp and crown.
Step 2. Massage Your Scalp
You may be tempted to dig in with your nails and “loosen” buildup on your scalp, but this is a really bad idea. “Our scalps are highly vulnerable to abrasive washing… You should never scrub with your nails, as it may cause serious irritation — or even let infections in,” says Monica Davis, a professional hairstylist.
Then, massage your scalp with your fingertips in a small circular motion. Remember to be gentle and patient.
Step 3. Rinse Out
Spend 1 to 2 minutes rinsing your hair to be sure no shampoo remains. A common mistake people make is accidentally leaving shampoo in their hair, which leads to scalp buildup.
Try rinsing with cold water, because it helps your hair stay stronger and healthier. Cold water doesn’t dry out the sebum layer of your hair, a naturally lubricated barrier that protects your hair and keeps it strong. Additionally, hot or warm water can damage your braids as it may cause them to loosen up.
Step 4. Towel Dry Your Braids
Once you get out of the shower, towel dry your braids. Be sure to squeeze or pat your braids dry instead of rubbing them. If you can, use a microfiber towel or an old T-shirt to dry your braids. The rougher the material fiber, the more damage it may cause to your braids.
I prefer using a microfiber towel because it absorbs moisture faster. In the video, I am using a large towel to dry my long box braids.
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Step 5. Blow Dry Your Braids
Put your durag on and dry your roots and braids with a blow dryer. The temperature should be on medium and you should keep some distance between your braids and the dryer. Start with your roots first and work your way through the ends. This process may take about 15-20 minutes.
The blow dryer you use doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive, just make sure it has multiple heat settings. There are plenty of affordable stylist-recommended options, like the Red by Kiss 2200 Ceramic Tourmaline Dryer ($35, Amazon), if you don’t want to spend a lot of money. Some dryers offer additional features like a cool shot to close hair cuticles and ionic air technology. Celebrity hairstylist Jennifer Yepez recommends the T3 Cura Luxe ($230, Sephora) and the Dyson Supersonic ($399, Nordstrom) if you want to purchase a more expensive dryer. You can find more recommendations here.
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Step 6. Oil Your Braids
Take out your durag and add castor oil to your braids to hydrate your braids. Castor oil has a thick density in comparison to other common oils like jojoba, coconut, or argan oil. When you apply castor oil to your braids, its thickness will act as a light gel that will keep your braids from looking frizzy.
Castor oil is relatively low-cost and it is thought to have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, moisturizing, and some other useful properties.
Step 7. Style Your Edges (baby hair)
Styling your edges adds a sleek touch to your box braids style. This step is not necessary but the styling of baby hairs creates a certain “look,” allowing you to form a design that frames your face and acts almost as an accessory to your box braids.
You can use a toothbrush to sleek your baby hairs down or an Edge Styler like the one I use in the video, which I purchased at Sally’s Beauty Supply for $5.59 (you can buy it online here).
When it comes to defining baby hairs, the magic is in the details. For finishing touches, add a bit of gel to the tip necessary. My favorite gel is Shine and Jam Conditioning Gel (get it on Amazon). You can use any other gel you like or even some castor oil to style your edges.
Bottom Line
Take your time to plan out your box braids wash day, make a small investment to get the products you need, and wash your braids carefully and diligently every week.
Resources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/how-to-wash-your-hair#takeaway
https://www.self.com/story/blow-dry-mistakes
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/castor-oil#2.-A-natural-moisturizer