How to Remove Braids Without Causing Damage

One of the best things about braids is that they are low-maintenance and can last for weeks. However when it’s time to take them out it’s essential to do so carefully to avoid damaging your hair.

If you’re ready to take your braids out but are worried about damaging your hair don’t fret! With a little bit of care and the right products, you can remove your braids without causing any damage.

“Don’t leave it past the expiration date.

It should last about eight weeks before removing your box braids or faux locs.”

To avoid damaging your own hair, remove braids slowly and carefully. It’s a time-consuming process, especially if your braids are small, so be patient! In this post, you’ll learn how to properly take down your braids and take care of your hair after removing your braids.

• Cut the Extensions

Cutting the hair extension is the first and essential step. You should have an idea of how long your hair is so you know where the natural ends are. You don’t want to cut too far up and risk removing more than just the extensions. Instead of grabbing a handful and chopping them off, cut one braid at a time. A foolproof method is to, cut about two inches below where you think your hair ends.

• Work in Sections

Once you have cut the extension, it’s time for the takedown. Splitting into sections makes this task less daunting. Part your hair into four or more sections and go at it one at a time. This is one of the more time-consuming steps in removing braids; if possible, enlist the help of others.

• Loose gently

First, make sure your hair is completely dry before you start removing the braids. Wet hair is much more susceptible to damage so it’s essential to avoid getting it wet if possible.

The best way to remove braids is by gently loosening them with your fingers before carefully untwisting each braid. Use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers to gently loosen the braid. Start at the bottom and work your way up being careful not to tug or pull too hard on your hair.

“Your roots may have begun to mat together. This is more likely if you’ve had extensions for a longer period. Take time to loosen it as you go.”

• Detangle

Once all the braids have been removed start by using your fingers to detangle your hair. After you’ve worked your way through a section with your fingers, take out a wide-tooth comb. Comb the section from the bottom up until it is thoroughly detangled. Detangling the roots is crucial; doing so inadvertently can lead to matting, especially when water enters the hair. Give your hair a good brush to remove any stray hairs and help it return to its natural state. Before moving on to the next section, braid, twist, or pin it up and out of the way.

“One thing to keep in mind: the average rate of hair shedding is 50-150 strands per day. You’ve probably had extensions in for at least a couple of weeks. The hair you would normally shed had nowhere to go, but now it does. Don’t be alarmed if you see a lot of shedding while detangling!”

• Wash and Condition

Finally, It’s now time to wash your hair and scalp. You may have shampooed and conditioned your hair while wearing extensions.

Even so, your hair didn’t get a thorough cleaning while you were disguised. At this point, shampooing and conditioning in sections may still be beneficial, especially if your hair is long and/or thick.

Your attention should be drawn to your scalp. Massage your scalp gently while working the shampoo lather down the length of your hair. There will most likely be even more hair shed. You can use a regular rinse-out conditioner after shampooing, but a deep conditioning treatment is a much better bet because your loose hair hasn’t been drenched in moisture in a long time.

“ If your hair feels dry or damaged after removing the braids try using a deep conditioning treatment or hot oil treatment to help restore moisture.”

After rinsing out your conditioner, style your hair as usual. However, don’t go right back into braided extensions.

We know it can be frustrating to take down your braids or weaves, especially if you are busy with work or just not patient enough to do it.

At Loose Out, we provide our clients with a stress-free braid take-down service. Making the removal of any braids style stress-free.

Our service saves you time, and is done at your own convenience within a Comfortable Environment!

Most importantly, we use techniques that promote a healthy hair journey for persons with different hair types/textures.

Reach out to us today!