How To Prepare For Braids Installation (What No One Talks About)

Jun 6

**Learn How to maintain Your Braids to stay Fresh, Neat, and Stylish for up to 6 weeks—without breakage, odor, or frizz**

🎯 Goal: Get your hair and scalp in the best condition before installing braids so they last longer, look better, and protect—not damage—your natural hair.

🧖🏽‍♀️ 1. How to Prep Your Scalp & Natural Hair Before Braiding

Healthy braids start before the first braid is even installed.

🔹 Cleanse:

Use a sulfate-free shampoo to deeply clean your scalp and remove buildup.
Follow with a lightweight conditioner—nothing too heavy that’ll cause residue.

🔹 Deep Condition:

Apply a moisturizing deep conditioner or hair mask to strengthen and hydrate your strands.
Let it sit under a shower cap or steamer for 20–30 minutes.

🔹 Stretch Your Hair:

Use a heatless stretching method like braiding, banding, or threading to reduce tension during installation.
Avoid blow-drying unless necessary—low heat only!

💡 Think of this step as prepping the canvas before painting—it makes all the difference.

🧴 2. Best Products to Use Before Installation

Here’s a power list of must-haves for prep:

Purpose Recommended Products Cleanse scalp Sulfate-free shampoo (e.g., SheaMoisture, Mielle) Deep moisture Deep conditioner or mask (e.g., TGIN, Camille Rose) Scalp protection Light oil or scalp balm (e.g., jojoba oil, tea tree oil) Strengthening (optional) Protein treatment (only if hair is weak/damaged)

✅ Don’t forget: Leave-in conditioner + heat protectant if using heat to stretch hair.

✂️ 3. Choosing the Right Stylist (Or Doing It Yourself)

💇🏾‍♀️ If Hiring a Stylist:

Check their work: Ask for photos of recent box braids on natural hair.
Read reviews: Look out for feedback about scalp care, braid tightness, and hygiene.
Do a consult: A good stylist will inspect your hair first—not just start braiding.
Ask questions: Are they using clean tools? Do they understand tension control?

🙋🏽‍♀️ If DIY-ing:

Watch 2–3 updated YouTube tutorials with styles close to yours.
Practice parting and securing tension evenly.
Keep your tools clean and disinfected.

💡 The goal is not just neat braids, but healthy hair underneath them.

💡 4. Hair Types & Braid Size Decisions

Not all braids work for all hair types—here’s how to match yours:

Hair Type Best Braid Sizes 3A–3C (looser curls) Medium to small braids to reduce slippage 4A–4C (kinky/coily) Small, medium, or large (your choice!) Fine/thin hair Small braids with lightweight extensions Thick/dense hair Medium or large braids (less tension)

🎯 Braid Size Guide: