How To Wash Box Braids & Other Protective Styles

by Nina King

Now that you’ve got your braids/twists/faux locs installed, it can be tempting to leave your hair unattended for the next six to eight weeks. While protective styling does a great job at cutting down hair manipulation and protecting our hair against harsh elements and heat, we still need to give our hair some TLC to make sure it’s still healthy and thriving while braided up.

Over time, braids will easily accumulate buildup from sweat, products, and dust, leaving you with an itchy and uncomfortable scalp. If left unattended, this extra weight on your strands can even lead to slower hair growth, which is the last thing you want from your protective style. To avoid these issues, stylists recommend washing your braids every three weeks to give your scalp that fresh reset it needs. Although the thought of wetting your braids and potentially frizzing up your perfect style may make you cringe, we have all the tips on how to avoid frizz and still keep your scalp clean and healthy.

Things you’ll need:

Spray bottle

Clarifying Shampoo

Conditioner

Your favorite moisturizing oil

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Step 1: Shampoo

Before you shampoo, you’ll want to grab your nearest spray bottle and fill it halfway with water then add one to two pumps of shampoo. Next, you’ll want to slowly spray the mixture on your hair, focusing on your scalp and roots. Rather than vigorously rubbing your head, you’ll want to slowly massage the shampoo through your braids in a downward motion to avoid frizz. If you really feel like your scalp needs a deep cleanse, you can also mix water and Apple Cider Vinegar together to ensure you’re getting rid of heavy product buildup.  

Step 2: Condition

Just like with the shampoo, you’ll also want to dilute your conditioner with water in a spray bottle. However, instead of spraying the mixture on your scalp and roots, you’ll want to focus the conditioner on the ends of your braids. Let it sit on your braids for three to four minutes, then go ahead and wash it out.  

Step 3: Moisturize

To make sure that your scalp is hydrated after your cleanse, it’s best to do a hot oil treatment on your scalp. For this, all you need to do is put your favorite lightweight moisturizing oil in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Once it’s warm, slowly pour the oil onto your scalp, massaging the oil on your roots. You can let your hot oil treatment sit for at least ten to 15 minutes, then rinse out with water.

Step 4: Dry

If you’ve ever gotten your braids wet before, you know that it can take forever for them to dry. Washing your hair is no different, but there a few ways you can speed up drying time and avoid frizzy braids. Many stylists recommend either sitting under a hooded for 30 to 45 minutes or simply allowing your braids to air dry. It’s best to be patient throughout this process, as braids that are dried incorrectly can lead to dandruff and even mildew (yikes!). As long as you avoid styling your braids before they are completely dry, your scalp will be clean and your braids will be frizz-free!