Fabulous Black Woman  

Braid extensions seem like the best way to grow out a bad haircut, transition from relaxed hair to natural hair or to just let your hair rest from the daily styling, and manipulating. In the past I have used them for all of the above, but it wasn't until a couple of years go I learned to reap the full benefit of braid extensions.

Many people have extensions put in and after six to eight weeks take them down and notice a ton of new growth, but also notice a ton of shedding. This article will provide you with extension secrets that will allow you to see MORE growth and LESS shedding!

First I will start with the basics. Whether the hair is in a weave, extensions, natural or relaxed, the three most important component to growing healthy hair is keeping it clean (water), deep conditioning (protein), and moisture (flexibility). If you neglect any of these three components you are not giving your hair an optimal environment for healthy hair growth.

Braid extensions, synthetic ones, come coated in a chemical. This chemical strips the hair of its natural moisture, which can lead to dryness and eventually to brittle hair and breakage. In order to strip the extension of this coating, you should take the entire braid out of the package and submerge it in a bowl of apple cider vinegar. Let it sit for a few minutes and then rinse it under cool water. The smell will be gone before the extensions are applied.

Braid extensions are generally expensive to have done, and many women do not wash them in order to preserve the style, but this is not preserving the health of their own hair. There are several ways to effectively wash extensions without causing too much damage to them. One option is to pour a couple of teaspoons of shampoo and apple cider vinegar in a cup, then fill the cup with water. While in the shower, run your head under the water and then pour the shampoo/ACV concoction directly onto the scalp, then lightly massage the scalp only. Another option is to fill a 4 oz bottle halfway with water then add a squirt or two of shampoo and a teaspoon of ACV. Then, while in the shower, spray the scalp directly with the concoction. You can also spray the length of the braids with this, but be sure to massage the scalp only and rinse the hair really well.

Next, it's time for deep conditioning. I use the spray bottle method mentioned above, but I focus more on the length of the braids instead of the scalp. Be sure to use a conditioner that is actually a deep conditioner, and not just a pour in and wash out conditioner. Now, you need for the conditioner to penetrate your hair shafts, so you need to stuff all of those extensions into a processing cap, at my house, we call them grocery bags. I keep my hair under the bag from 15-60 minutes, and work up some body heat. Rinse the hair with cool water. It's not as important to rinse completely, it's actually good to leave a little conditioner behind.

The last step is to moisturize the braids. Sweet Nature Growth Spray is one of the BEST braid sprays. It's made of 100% natural oils that not only keep the hair moisturized, but awakens the scalp with every use. The hair should be moisturized every day, especially if step one (ACV dipping) is skipped and the braid should be sprayed throughout the entire length.

If you use this process weekly, when you take your extensions out, not only will you lose less hair, but you will grow more hair. Your hair will also be easier to comb and manage as well as much softer and healthier.