No matter the occasion, hair extensions bring flair to your hair; but undoing them can cause breakage and unusual shedding if done incorrectly. Others believe the dryer the hair, the lesser the damage; while others think that combing the hair when wet is best. Business development manager for SoftSheen Carson Professional, Mashudu Netshidzivhani, says combing your hair with a wide tooth comb will cause less damage. Mimmi Biggar, who is part of the technical team and an advisor for Sofn’free HairXperts Masters Challenge, says you need a metal or plastic rat tail comb and small scissors when undoing your hair.
To get the best method at less damage to your hair, we have provided you with steps to undoing your braids without causing damage to the strands.
Braids
Mashudu says you should always begin undoing your braids from the back of the head and work your way forward. He advises that twisting the undone hair into bantu knots will help prevent it from getting tangled and reduce breakage.
Steps to follow when undoing braids:
• Shampoo and condition braids a day before undoing them to help loosen the hair and add moisture.
• Use a head wrap to lock the moisture in.
• Spray any hair product of your choice to the root of the hair to loosen the braid from your natural hair.
• Cut the braid just below the end of your hair to shorten the time of undoing it.
• Untwist the hair using a rat tail comb to undo the braids.
• Slide the end of the braid off the root of your hair.
• Use a wide tooth comb to comb the hair before washing it.
Cornrows
Undoing cornrows after having them for over three weeks will tangle your hair. Removing them is not a hard task, but it takes time. According to Mimmi, you need to keep your cornrows healthy and well moisturised to reduce friction, which causes breakage when undoing them.
Steps to follow when undoing cornrows:
•Mix hair mayonnaise and warm water in a bottle and shake well.
•Spray onto your hair to soften it.
•Undo the cornrows from the end to the beginning using a metal tail comb.
•Repeat this until you finish all the cornrows.
•Gently brush the hair with a wide tooth brush/comb before washing it.
•Wash the hair and apply conditioner to give it and your scalp a deep treatment.
Recover and Repair
Your scalp and hair need a breather from time to time, so it’s always advisable to take two weeks off and stay with your natural hair before relaxing or putting on extensions. Mashudu advises that you give your hair a deep conditioning treatment to help replenish and strengthen its strands. He adds that over- styling hair extensions causes tension on the roots of your natural hair, which damages it. Hair sheds naturally and being tied up in plaits or extensions may prevent us seeing this. Don’t be alarmed when undoing your hair and seeing it shed.
Written by Keletso Modisakeng
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