Braid extension wearers,here please.

[Bublnbrnsuga]

I would like to know both the good and bad results you ladies have had with braid extensions.

 

[Belle Du Jour]

Good: versatile style, instant length, a new texture (curly or bone straight)

Bad: Takes too damn long, fragile hairines/napes may suffer, expensive

 

[kristina]

All the natural hair on my head is due to my braid wearing. I agree that if you don't take care of them, they can cause some major breakage and thinning around the edges. But proper care can prevent that from happening. Also critical is how you take them out. Considering that I didn't condition my braids ever and I wore them for five months at a time, I think I'm lucky to have the hair I have. So to answer your question, I think braids are blessing for me and my hair goals. That said, it all depends on your hair--- my hair happens to thrive in braids but I know a few people who's hair can't take it. I plan on doing the Crown and Glory for 2 years or until my hair's waistlength.

 

[MeccaMedinah]

I've had good experiences and bad.

Good-good growth, and retained length, no build up most recently
Bad- braids @ hairline popping right off

I now know how to keep my hair properly moisturized & clean during my the time my hair is braided. I also know what products work well for me during this time.(miracle gro shea butter spray oil)

I had braids in Oct and one braid came out in the front- it wasn't much so I didn't trip- I saw that there was a problem and didn't grab my scissors quick enough to cut the braid out before it stressed my hairline

It also hasn't deterred me from getting some kinky twist very soon

 

[reformatio]

Pros:
Time spent on hair care is lessened
Hair is given a break from everyday styling
- Thus, more length can be retained
Great for transitioning

Cons:
Braids my fall out if hair is done too tightly or if left in too long
Becomes expensive if done on a regular basis

 

[cutebajangirl]

Braids have always been a blessing for me never a bane. When I wore synthetic hair I washed/rinsed daily and saw great growth - all retained. Now that I wear human hair I wash with diluted shampoo carefully and still see growth. I only use liquid leave in's so I never have build up at the base of the braid. In addition to growth I get to have a protective style and look cute at the same time. I expect to be mid back at the end of the 8 month braid challenge and will keep on wearing braids until I am at waist length.

 

[Robin41]

I have twist extensions. I do them myself so I can control the tension, especially around the hairline. I make very large boxes so it doesn't take a long time.

It's an easy style to maintain. Outside of shampooing, oiling my scalp and re-doing wayward twists, there's really nothing to do. Plus my hair gets a rest and always grows faster.

I don't like that my scalp always gets itchy when I wear braids.

 

[KBA]

I'm interested in hearing everyone's responses too

Pros:
Less daily haircare manipulation
Different style
Good hair growth

Cons:
Hairline damage possible if braids too tight

I've tried corn row with extensions, individual small and medium. I believe the key is taking care of your braids.

 

[Bublnbrnsuga]

To hopefully minimize the tension around my hairline, I am not getting individuals- I am getting cornrow extensions. I found someone who is responsible, careful, and doesn't charge much, so I am really considering it. She did my previous cornrows without extensions and I was very pleased. They only lasted for a week,though, so I want extensions because this way I can keep them in for about 1 month.

 

[Sweet_Ambrosia]

Pros:
Low maintenace/protective style
Good growth
Less manipulation

I put my own braids in so i never really had any bad experience w/braids.

Maybe just the time factor. It takes a bit too long to put them in & to take them out.

 

[candibaby]

My only con is that I have to worry about my hairline when I wear them and surge all the time because I dont want them to come out.

A Pro is that it keeps my hands out of my hair, especially when I get a lot of newgrowth cause I have HIHD!

 

[stellaw]

Pro's:

Low maintenance
No 'bad hair days'
Protective style (if properly installed)

Con's:
Every 12 weeks ya gotta take it out and put it all back again. Usually a day (sometimes more) needs to be committed to all that.
It's expensive - whether you buy the good hair or not.
Also, I get 'attached" to my weave. Like, I don't feel comfortable without it now. I actually prefer the extension to my natural hair. I looks better on me and is easier to take care of but...I somehow feel a 'healthier' outlook would be to be comfortable with both - which I am not and many of my weave wearing friends are the same. We have a 'don't let them bury me w/o my weave' pact between us!

 

[Keen]

Stella, I use to feel the same way about my hair before I found this board. I usually preffered weave or braids to my hair. Now I don't really care for weave too much. I still like braids but only medium size because I do them myself and won't sit for too long to do micros.

I have never had any bad experience with braids except for that time I cut my ends when taking my braids off! Now the top middle part of my head where I cut is not as long as the the front top.

Pro's:

Low maintenance
No 'bad hair days'
Protective style (if properly installed)

Con's:
Every 12 weeks ya gotta take it out and put it all back again. Usually a day (sometimes more) needs to be committed to all that.
It's expensive - whether you buy the good hair or not.
Also, I get 'attached" to my weave. Like, I don't feel comfortable without it now. I actually prefer the extension to my natural hair. I looks better on me and is easier to take care of but...I somehow feel a 'healthier' outlook would be to be comfortable with both - which I am not and many of my weave wearing friends are the same. We have a 'don't let them bury me w/o my weave' pact between us!

 

[SandySea]

I am an advocate for braids. Without them, there are several times that I would not have been able to recover from hair damage. The same person has done my braid for almost ten years and she is not expensive. I have even worn very small braids (not micros) with no damage to my hair at all. I think the results depend on the braider and the care of the braids.

 

[carolina_belle]

Did anyone have a good experience with braids and daily Surging? I am getting braids from a really good stylist in March. I really want to Surge and do the daily rinsing that is not possible with the way my hair is right now. I would hate to make such a big investment (both time and money) and have to take the braids out due to Surge irritation. I have never had a problem, but I surge a couple of times a week with WGO.

 

[CharUK]

Good: versatile style, instant length, a new texture (curly or bone straight)

Bad: Takes too damn long, fragile hairines/napes may suffer, expensive

What she said