How Long Should You Wait Between Braiding Appointments

I try not to use the term, but “back in the day”, there was no misunderstanding

on “how long should you wait between braiding appointments!”  Today’s ladies are  so uninformed on culture, hairstylists are seeing females with alopecia, bald spots etc. explaining sheepishly how they found themselves in this predicament!

While in a discussion with a client, I realized there is a problem with what is seen as an

acceptable amount of time to have braids in the hair.  As young ladies, we were trained to take braid hairstyles out and wait ( pause), a whole week or two before putting braids  back!  It was annoying because one had to find alternative styles for that time. 

We became inventive and came up with credible reasons to explain how your hair was

shorter (shrinkage), stiffer (gel) or longer (extensions) depending on your confidence.  Well, nowadays, these young women are sliding from boho braids, to box braids, back to boho braids and maybe gluing on a wig with no break.

I wonder if black women have reimagined black power to mean our hair will go on regardless

of the stresses and pressures we put on them?  They feel the scalp will manage 20 pounds of hair or a full cap of hair with no repercussions in the long run.  In an effort to maintain that celebrity look, they switch styles the same day.  

Boho and knotless braids are taking most of their hair.  Wigs are taking the rest.  The relaxer

has been replaced but the effect is just as dangerous.  If you have looked at social media platforms for hair you will  see women with:

• bald spots
• Thin hair – mostly on the sides and front
• Wigs and toppers – thin in the crown

These attachments were not intended to be kept on your head indefinitely.  You have to:

• plan hair repair times of a week or two during the year.
• remove glued wigs/weaves for at least two months per year.  It seems like a long time but if you don’t, your scalp will be visible once you hit your mid 40s and menopause hits.
• Do conditioning treatments during this time.
• Have your hair ends trimmed to keep them strong.