How To Take Down Your Braids, The Perfect Take-Down

🎯 Goal: Remove box braids gently without breakage, shedding, or damaging your natural hair—and give your hair the TLC it deserves afterward.

🧰 Step 1: Gather the Right Tools & Products

Using the proper tools makes the takedown process easier, faster, and gentler on your hair.

✅ You’ll Need:

• Rat-tail comb or takedown comb

• Spray bottle (with water + leave-in conditioner or detangler)

• Section clips or bands

• Hair scissors (for cutting extension ends only)

• Wide-tooth comb

• Moisturizing conditioner

• Plastic bag or towel (to manage mess)

💡 Optional but helpful: Detangling spray, oil sheen spray, or aloe vera juice for stubborn knots

✂️ Step 2: Carefully Remove Braids

1. Section your hair into 4–6 manageable parts

2. If extensions are long, cut off the ends just below where your natural hair ends (be careful!)

3. Spray the braid with the detangling mix

4. Use fingers or the tail of a comb to gently unravel from the bottom up

5. After removing each braid, finger-detangle and remove shed hair before moving on to the next one

✅ Pro Tip: Do not rush this process—rushing leads to knots and breakage.

🛑 Step 3: Prevent Hair Loss & Breakage

After braid removal, it’s normal to see some shed hair—this is hair that would’ve fallen out naturally over the weeks. But you can avoid excessive breakage by:

• Detangling gently with your fingers before using a comb

• Applying a slippery conditioner or aloe vera gel to help loosen tangles

• Avoiding dry combing—always detangle damp or conditioned hair

✅ Pro Tip: Don’t panic if you see a lot of hair in the comb—shedding 50–100 strands per day is normal, and it adds up after 6 weeks.

💧 Step 4: Aftercare—What to Do Immediately Post-Takedown

1. Do a gentle clarifying shampoo to remove product buildup

2. Follow up with a deep moisturizing conditioner or hair mask

3. Apply a light protein treatment if your hair feels weak or overly soft

4. Use a wide-tooth comb or detangling brush to remove the last of the knots

5. Let your hair rest for at least 7–10 days before installing a new protective style

✅ Pro Tip: Use this rest period to trim split ends, oil your scalp, and do scalp massages to stimulate growth.

🧴 Suggested Products:

• Aunt Jackie’s Knot On My Watch Detangler

• TGIN Moisture Rich Sulfate-Free Shampoo

• Shea Moisture Manuka Honey Hair Mask

• ORS Hair Mayonnaise (light protein treatment)