As your protective style gets older, you probably notice a lot of frizz that has ruined your entire hairstyle. We know how annoying it is. However, you can definitely get it fixed by going to a salon. But is it worth spending the extra money on salon chairs?
Then what to put on box braids to stop frizz and how to fix frizz at home? You can use good-quality pomade, hair gel, or mousse to fix frizzy braids, which is less expensive than visiting a salon.
Read along to get some product recommendations, the process of relieving itchiness, and reasons why your braids don’t last long.
What Can I Put on My Braids to Keep Them Fresh
To keep your braids looking fresh, you can apply the following:
- Coconut oil to hydrate and moisturize your braids and scalp.
- Leave-in spray to moisturize and bring shine to your braids.
- If your braids have been kept for a while, use a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water to keep them from becoming smelly.
How Do I Make My Braids Look New
If you want your braids to keep looking new, please follow the steps mentioned below:
a. Keep Your Hair Hydrated
The importance of keeping your hair hydrated can’t be emphasized enough. The dryness of the hair can cause split ends, hair breakage, and hair fall. To avoid these issues, regularly hydrate your hair with an oil of your choice.
b. Should You Moisturize Your Hair Every day with Braids
Yes, moisturizing enhances the health of your hair and scalp. You should moisturize your hair every day to keep it from becoming dry and frizzy.
c. Should I Spray My Braids Every day
Spraying your braids is a great way to keep them moisturized, looking shiny, and frizz-free. But overdoing it can be problematic as that might make your hair look greasy. You can spray your braids with a braid spray twice weekly for optimal results.
d. What is The Best Moisturizer for Braids
The best moisturizers for your braids are ones made from completely natural products. These include but are not limited to:
Coconut oil
Coconut oil can be your hair’s best friend when used appropriately. Not only does it moisturize your hair and scalp, but it also helps reduce the chances of fungal or bacterial infection on your scalp.
e. How Do I Moisturize My Braids Daily
To regularly moisturize your braids, do the following:
- Make a spritz by mixing water with light oil, like coconut oil, olive oil, or jojoba oil.
- Put some water-based natural leave-in conditioner on your braids and scalp.
f. How Do You Moisturize Braids After Washing
To moisturize your braids after washing, apply a light conditioner and leave it in for 3-5 minutes or overnight so that it can penetrate your braids and moisturize them and your scalp.
g. Should You Oil Your Box Braids
Even though box braids are one of the most low-maintenance braids, they still need some care to look good and stay healthy. To oil your box braids, make spritz with water and moisturizing oil, such as jojoba oil, argan oil, almond oil, or castor oil, and spray on your braids with a spray bottle.
h. Is Coconut Oil Good for Your Braids
Coconut oil is one of the best natural products you can put on your braids and scalp. It contains fatty acids and antibacterial and antioxidant properties that keep your hair and scalp healthy and inflammation free.
i. How Often Should You Oil Your Box Braids
To ensure the best care for your box braids, you should oil them at least twice a week.
I. What Shampoo and Conditioner Should I Use for Box Braids
It is essential to shampoo and conditions your braids every few days. You should shampoo with a deep-cleansing shampoo and condition your hair afterward with a deep conditioner. As for which products to use, you can see the following lists:
- To clean your braids, you can use a shampoo such as the Tea Tree Special Shampoo.
- And to deep condition, your hair afterward, use the Pattern Heavy Conditioner for optimal results.
II. Why Do Braiders Dip the Braids in Hot Water
Braiders dip braids in hot water as it keeps the ends of the braids straight and frizz-free.
Why Are My Box Braids So Frizzy
Box braids can start to get frizzy if they are not done correctly. If the sections of your box braids aren’t done correctly or if your braids overlap each other, they can become frizzy.
Generally, frizzy box braids result from new and short hairs sticking up from the braids. Besides these, not taking proper care of your braids can also cause frizzy box braids.
For example, not moisturizing your braids properly, applying harsh shampoo, and not wearing bonnets before bedding creates friction between your hair and pillow cover.
a. Does Washing Braids Make Them Frizzy
As synthetic hair is required when doing box braids, the natural hair underneath the synthetic hair can get frizzy after washing. To mitigate this, ensure that your braids are tucked in when you get them installed.
b. Does Mousse Help with Frizz on Braids
Mousse aids in keeping braids longer while also helping to prevent frizz.
Why Do You Put Mousse on Box Braids
Mousse is put on box braids for the following reasons:
- To prevent frizz.
- And to make the braids look smooth and shiny.
What Mousse Should I Use on my Braids
You can use a foaming mousse on your braids to maintain them, keep them looking good and healthy, and keep them free of frizz.
How Do You Keep Braids from Frizzing
Pomades and gels come in handy when taking care of frizzy braids. They can be used to keep frizzy hair in place. Apply over the frizzy area and put it back in place using a fine-tooth comb.
How Do You Fix A Frizzy Box Braid
Use hot water. Dampen a towel in hot water and then place it over your braids to put your frizzes back into place and refresh your locks.
How To Fix Frizzy Box Braids At Home
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to keep braids frizz-free always; your new baby hair and short hair will eventually come out of the braids and result in a frizzy look.
But you’d be glad to know that you can easily fix frizzy box birds at home by following a few steps. Here are they:
I. Mousse And Holding Spray
This method is probably the easiest way to fix frizz on your box braids at home. You can choose any of your preferable styling mousses. Then smooth the mousse over the frizzy sections of braids.
Then apply a good-quality holding spray and wrap your braids with a satin scarf. Now, you have to wait until your hair is completely dry. Remove the scarf, and you’ll see your gorgeous and frizz-free braids.
Note: Make sure the holding spray and mousse you select are alcohol-free and include moisturizing ingredients.
II. Refresh Frizzy Box Braids
This method is mostly ideal for old and extremely frizzy braids since it’s a full refreshing process for box braids.
- Cover your entire scalp by spraying a scalp purifier. If you have product and dirt buildup on your scalp, consider washing it away with a clarifying shampoo first.
- Next step is applying the conditioner. Mix 4 spoons of water with 1 spoon of conditioner in a spray container. Consider spraying the diluted conditioner after the shower, as you don’t need to rinse it off.
- Now apply your favorite essential oil to the braids to seal the moisture.
- After that, you tie your box braids behind tightly so that the new or short hair pops out, and you can set it with a hair gel or cream.
- Lastly, wrap a scarf around the treated area and take it off after half an hour. That’s it!
Note: Remember this frizz fixing technique is suitable for medium to long box braids with at least an inch long of new hairs.
III. What Products Should You Use
Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a hefty sum on products to fix frizzy box braids at home. You only need to use three products to control frizz, for example:
Anti-frizz mousse
Such as Vigorol Relaxed Hair Mousse, Coconut Oil and Shea Wrap Me Foaming Mousse, or All Day Locks & Braid Foam Control.
Strong hold hair gel
Such as L’Oreal Paris EverCurl Sulfate Free Sculpt and Hold Cream-Gel, AFRICAN FORMULAS Super Grow Hair Gel, or SoftSheen-Carson Shining and Conditioning Hair Gel.
Leave-in conditioner
A leave-in conditioner can help to add moisture to your hair, which can help to tame frizz.
Anti-frizz serum
A serum is a great option for taming frizz on box braids because it’s lightweight and can be easily applied to your hair.
Light pomade
such as Jovinno Natural Premium Hair Styling Pomade, Carol’s Daughter Mimosa Hair Honey Shine Pomade, or Murray’s Beeswax.
Can You Defrizz Box Braids
Yes, following the above methods, you can defrizz your box braids at home. But before that, you must ensure that your scalp is buildup-free.
In case you’re unable to arrange all the required products but you need to defrizz box braids immediately, here’s a quick method:
Boil water in a pot, then dip a towel in it. Once the towel is hot enough that you can still hold the towel, place it over the frizzy area and wait till all the frizz tamp down.
How Do You Clean Braids without Frizz
To clean braids without frizz, apply shampoo to the roots of your hair and then wash it by letting the water run down your braids. The best way to get this done is to have someone shampoo your hair.
Are Box Braids Uncomfortable
Well, box braids start from the scalp, and you need to pull and tug hair tightly to prevent the braids from loosening up. This process causes tension between your scalp and hair, which can cause headaches.
Besides, adding extra hair makes your braids heavier, which can cause neck pain too. Now, if you’re really sensitive to bearing pain, box braids can be uncomfortable for you.
Are Box Braids Itchy
As mentioned in the previous section, box braids create tension on your scalp; therefore, box braids can cause an itchy scalp too. But using some itchy relief products and gentle finger massage can soothe the itchiness and give you comfort.
Why Don’t My Box Braids Last
Generally, there are a few common habits for which your box braids can’t last long. Such as:
- Not protecting hair during bedtime.
- Using products that include alcohol.
- Not taking proper care of braids such as moisturizing, applying a hair mask, and hot oil treatment.
- Use harsh shampoo and pull hair downward while shampooing.
- Not drying hair properly and making hairstyles on wet hair.
Can You Get Box Braids Wet
Yes, you can get your box braids wet while showering, in the pool, and rain. But you have to ensure that you take extra care of your wet hair to prevent mold growth, unraveling, and frizz. Plus, always air dry your hair instead of using heat or sitting under the direct sun.
How To Stop An Itchy Scalp With Box Braids?
Here are some effective tips to stop an itchy scalp:
- Don’t make your braids too tight that they create lots of tension on the scalp.
- Use moisturizing and hydrating shampoo and conditioner.
- Apply apple cider vinegar spray on the scalp to soothe itchiness and rinse it off once it dries.
- Apply itch relief hair serum thrice a week.
- Wash scalp with a medicated shampoo once a week.
- Give essential oil and finger massage to get relief from itchiness.
Can You Do Box Braids On Damp Hair
Damp hair is wet but the opposite of soaking wet. Therefore, creating box braids on damp hair won’t damage your hair; instead, it’ll help you to achieve neat braids without flyaways. That’s why professionals prefer damp hair during hair styling.
FAQs
When were box braids invented?
Box braids first originated in 3500 B.C. in South Africa. Back then, box braids were the symbol of wealth and power.
How to wrap box braids at night?
You should wrap a satin bonnet or silk hijab around your box braids at night to prevent friction and damage.
Why are box braids so tight?
Box braids start braiding from the tip of the scalp by pulling and tugging, which makes this protective style so tight.
What is the fastest way to take down braids?
There are a few ways to take down your braids. The fastest and easiest way is to spritz them with some warm water, then begin from the bottom upwards and apply more detangler to your fingertips. You can then slowly unravel the braids. If you have extensions in your braids, be sure to remove those last.
Why do my box braids smell?
Dead skin cells on the scalp, product buildup, and mold growth are the main culprits behind making your braids stinky.
Will my box braids unravel?
Yes, friction and pulling hair down while shampooing can easily unravel your box braids.
Are box braids harmful?
No, box braids aren’t harmful if you follow proper maintenance and take them off after 6 to 8 weeks; otherwise, they can cause horrible hair fall.
Does dry shampoo work on box braids?
Yes, dry shampoo work on box braids, but make sure your dry shampoo is alcohol-free and contains multiple hydrating ingredients.
are box braids good for natural hair?
Box braids can actually be quite beneficial for natural hair. They can help to protect your hair from damage, keep it moisturized, and can even promote hair growth. Of course, box braids can also be quite painful if they’re done too tight. But if you’re careful and get them done right, you should be fine.
How do actual Africans feel about white people wearing braids?
There is a mixed opinion on whether or not white people wearing braids is acceptable in Africa. Some people feel that it’s a symbol of colonialism and slavery, while others see it as an aesthetic choice. There are also those who believe that white girls can get box braids just like any other girl, regardless of their skin color.
What are the braids called that look like dreads?
Woven braids, also known as dreadlocks, are a hairstyle characterized by tight coils of hair that are often formed from sections of hair that have been woven together.
Why shouldn’t you get your braids wet?
If you get your braids wet and keep them like that, mold might accumulate on your scalp, leading to hair loss.
What is the best mousse for frizzy hair?
If you have frizzy hair, you can use a mousse to take care of it. As to which mousse to use, you can check out the Coconut Oil and Shea Wrap Me Foaming Curl Mousse by Lotta.
Is leave-in conditioner good for braids?
Yes, leave-in conditioners moisturize your braids throughout the day and make them look healthier.
How do you moisturize your braids?
You can moisturize your braids by applying a leave-in conditioner. Another way to moisturize braids is to make a spritz with water and light oil, such as coconut oil or jojoba oil, and spray it over the braids.
What is the foam stuff you put on braids?
The foamy stuff seen on braids is braiding spray.
Why do you put boiling water on braids?
Putting boiling water on braids helps mitigate frizz and split ends and keeps hair looking smooth.
Related Articles:
- Who Invented Box Braids
Conclusion
So what to put on box braids to stop frizz, and how to fix frizzy braids at home? You now know the answer. But remember that consistency is the key.
If you’re not consistently taking care of your braids, you’ll meet frizz and damage sooner than expected. Consequently, your box braid won’t last long.
