Fine-haired Ladies who wear braids: How did they treat your hair?

[Serenity_Peace]

Good afternoon,

I am thinking about stretching my relaxer using microbraids/twists, especially since I'm slightly underprocessed and don't want to do another relaxer for awhile. I also workout a lot and summer is upon us. I don't want to have to do much to my hair while I'm in marathon training.

Anyone can answer the following questions, but they are specifically directed at ladies with fine, soft and/or delicate hair:

1. If you wear braids, what kind of hair did you use (human or synthetic)?

2. Have you successfully transitioned or stretched relaxers with braids/twists?

3. Did you experience breakage with braids/twists?

4. Did wearing braids/twists help your hair grow?

5. How long did you keep your braids/twists in?

6. What size were you braids/twists?

7. Should ladies with softer hair avoid thicker braids/twists?

Note: I am thinking about getting the kind of pliable braids that I can wear in a bun. A lady here at my job wears the smallest twists that she is able to wear buns and other protective styles. Her hair looks nice and professional.

As always, thanks!

SP

 

[glamazon386]

1. If you wear braids, what kind of hair did you use (human or synthetic)? I went to the shop. They used regular synthetic kanekalon hair.

2. Have you successfully transitioned or stretched relaxers with braids/twists? I had braids once when I was about 5 months post relaxer. I just did it because I wanted them. I'm natural now and just recently took out a set as well.

3. Did you experience breakage with braids/twists? No not that I saw

4. Did wearing braids/twists help your hair grow? It grew at about the same rate it usually does

5. How long did you keep your braids/twists in? I took them out after about a month bc I missed my hair

6. What size were you braids/twists? They were pretty small this time, not as small last time (a little smaller than a pencil)

7. Should ladies with softer hair avoid thicker braids/twists? As long as they don't put too much extension hair in the braid you should be okay ETA: I kept loosing my twists around the edges in the front for this reason. They were too heavy and would slide right out.

 

[KathyMay]

I am fine/thick 4a type hair and just took down my twists after being 24 post relaxer
I had Senegalese twists I would not recommend microbraids if your hair is really fine.

1. If you wear braids, what kind of hair did you use (human or synthetic)?

Synthetic Kankenleon hair with Senegalese twists and afro or kinky hair with other twist

2. Have you successfully transitioned or stretched relaxers with braids/twists?
I have successfully stretched my relaxers with braids but it does require some patience when taking the braids out. Yes you will have thick new growth but the hair is fine and fragile no matter your hair type

3. Did you experience breakage with braids/twists?

I wouldn’t say it is breakage but I did have some shedding which is normal


4. Did wearing braids/twists help your hair grow?

Heck yes along with BT, MTG, Kemi Oyl conditioning spray and Cinnamon oil
And Lenzi’s request around the edges

5. How long did you keep your braids/twists in?

8-10 weeks I can’t go any longer than that.

6. What size were you braids/twists?

Pencil size ALWAYS

7. Should ladies with softer hair avoid thicker braids/twists?

I believe so since it would weigh down the hair especially around the edges and cause breakage I used to get African twists all the time

 

[jamiette]

Let me start by saying that I have found that braids have been highly instrumental to achiving legnth and extra thickness. I suppose it is due to the reduction of manipulation to my hair while it is braided.

1. If you wear braids, what kind of hair did you use (human or synthetic)?I braid my own hair and usually use synthetic hair.
2. Have you successfully transitioned or stretched relaxers with braids/twists? I have not transitioned but if I were to do so I would probably do it with the use of braided hairstyles.

3. Did you experience breakage with braids/twists? No.

4. Did wearing braids/twists help your hair grow? TREMENDOUSLY!!!

5. How long did you keep your braids/twists in? I used to keep them for three months but I find it much less damaging if I keep them for only two as the Crown and Glory method recommends.

6. What size were you braids/twists? I never make them to small because I hate those clumps that you get after removing them.

7. Should ladies with softer hair avoid thicker braids/twists? I am dying to try micros because of their versatility but I normally keep them about the thickness of a pencil. If you look up the Crown and Glory thechnique you will get alot of really good tips for wearing braided styles with minimal damage to your own hair. HTH.

 

[Mahalialee4]

Do you think you would have gotten the same results without using the extensions, for example using cornrow method on your own hair?

 

[prettypuff1]

1. If you wear braids, what kind of hair did you use (human or synthetic)?
I think thye were human hair
2. Have you successfully transitioned or stretched relaxers with braids/twists?
I transitioned to natural
3. Did you experience breakage with braids/twists?
I saw some temple issues, but i think if i woulda cared for them better i wouldnt have seen that much damage
4. Did wearing braids/twists help your hair grow?
They did
5. How long did you keep your braids/twists in?
the first two times 3 months, the last time 6 months and that was too long
6. What size were you braids/twists?
1st time about the right thinkness, 2nd time i had invisible braids ( not a good idea). 3rd micro braids...
7. Should ladies with softer hair avoid thicker braids/twists?
If they are too thick then yes, but i found micros were a little to thin for me...

 

[Nonie]

1. If you wear braids, what kind of hair did you use (human or synthetic)?

Human hair.

2. Have you successfully transitioned or stretched relaxers with braids/twists?

Yes, I transitioned in braids. Since I do my own braids, every time I touched a braid up, I'd trim about a 1/4 inch off. And I'd keep doing that with each of them starting from the back till all were freshly done and trimmed. In a year, I had gotten rid of all the relaxed hair and had about 5-6 inches of natural hair.

3. Did you experience breakage with braids/twists?

No.

4. Did wearing braids/twists help your hair grow?

Yes, braids did. The longest I ever had my hair before I went gungho w/ braids was 5 or so inches stretched. In braids, I got to grow my hair to about 11 inches stretched in 2 years w/ regular trimming.

5. How long did you keep your braids/twists in?

Two years with a day or two's break after one year - just long enough to redo the partings differently. But as stated before, although I had them in "forever", I was touching my hair up often, every time I felt new growth that was driving me insane - thus relieving the strain from the previous starting point of the braid and starting on the newer stronger hair. It seemed trimming often helped my hair not thin at the ends.

6. What size were you braids/twists?

I had micros like the ones I have now.

7. Should ladies with softer hair avoid thicker braids/twists?

Personally I don't think it matters, although I'd discourage anyone from doing braids smaller than the ones I have (do they call them nano?). As Bmore said, what's important is that you use little extension hair per braid section. I am able to undo my braids with my fingers, so for me that's a gauge as to how big they should be. I have done them for several years now that I just have a feel for what size is good. I'd recommend that you braid a thickness that you can undo w/o a comb.

Do you think you would have gotten the same results without using the extensions, for example using cornrow method on your own hair?
No, because I cannot stand messy cornrows so I'd be redoing my whole head every week, if not sooner. I'd also have to use a comb each time which is more manipulation than my hair likes if it is to grow. Cornrows are more tiring to do (to me) than umpteen single braid extensions coz of how you have to hold your arms up to do them. So you can bet your bottom dollar, there'd be days when I'd quit halfway through and just wear a baggy for a few days and hats in the day till the mood hit me again. With extension braids, I can go a few weeks w/o needing to redo my braids, and even when they get messy, I don't have to redo the whole head in one sitting; just one braid at a time over a few days, while styling my hair in ways that camouflage the messy ones. Also I never use my comb again once the braids extensions are in. And that means, no comb for a year or however long I keep my braids in. This low manipulation, I am sure, is the main reason I am able to retain length.

 

[Radianthealth]

1. If you wear braids, what kind of hair did you use (human or synthetic)?

Human hair.

2. Have you successfully transitioned or stretched relaxers with braids/twists?

Yes, I transitioned in braids once, I think I went around a year in braids and had about 9 inches of hair. I never did a big chop it was like my relaxed hair just blended in with the natural hair. That was about 8 years ago. I am currently texlaxed.

3. Did you experience breakage with braids/twists?

No.

4. Did wearing braids/twists help your hair grow?

Yes, I am currently in braids stretching my relaxer for 6 months. My six months will be up in May. I have been using the crown and glory method. I spray with Infusium 23 and glycerine moisturizer spray.

5. How long did you keep your braids/twists in?

The longest I had them was a year. I know how to braid so I rebraided every month or two.

6. What size were you braids/twists?

I have small medium sized braids. They are at the end of my album. The back is a weave because I got lazy.

7. Should ladies with softer hair avoid thicker braids/twists?

I don't think so, I think it is important that whatever style you are in you should take care of your own hair.

Do you think you would have gotten the same results without using the extensions, for example using cornrow method on your own hair?
Yes, My hair will grow no matter what, wearing braids gives me simplicity, and there is the element of surprise and it helps me to keep my hands out of my hair

__________________

 

[Serenity_Peace]

Do you think you would have gotten the same results without using the extensions, for example using cornrow method on your own hair?

Not sure. I've done cornrows but I think they look terrible on me because my face is too round and my head is shaped funny.

 

[Serenity_Peace]

1. If you wear braids, what kind of hair did you use (human or synthetic)?

Human hair.

2. Have you successfully transitioned or stretched relaxers with braids/twists?

Yes, I transitioned in braids. Since I do my own braids, every time I touched a braid up, I'd trim about a 1/4 inch off. And I'd keep doing that with each of them starting from the back till all were freshly done and trimmed. In a year, I had gotten rid of all the relaxed hair and had about 5-6 inches of natural hair.

3. Did you experience breakage with braids/twists?

No.

4. Did wearing braids/twists help your hair grow?

Yes, braids did. The longest I ever had my hair before I went gungho w/ braids was 5 or so inches stretched. In braids, I got to grow my hair to about 11 inches stretched in 2 years w/ regular trimming.

5. How long did you keep your braids/twists in?

Two years with a day or two's break after one year - just long enough to redo the partings differently. But as stated before, although I had them in "forever", I was touching my hair up often, every time I felt new growth that was driving me insane - thus relieving the strain from the previous starting point of the braid and starting on the newer stronger hair. It seemed trimming often helped my hair not thin at the ends.

6. What size were you braids/twists?

I had micros like the ones I have now.

7. Should ladies with softer hair avoid thicker braids/twists?

Personally I don't think it matters, although I'd discourage anyone from doing braids smaller than the ones I have (do they call them nano?). As Bmore said, what's important is that you use little extension hair per braid section. I am able to undo my braids with my fingers, so for me that's a gauge as to how big they should be. I have done them for several years now that I just have a feel for what size is good. I'd recommend that you braid a thickness that you can undo w/o a comb.

Do you think you would have gotten the same results without using the extensions, for example using cornrow method on your own hair?
No, because I cannot stand messy cornrows so I'd be redoing my whole head every week, if not sooner. I'd also have to use a comb each time which is more manipulation than my hair likes if it is to grow. Cornrows are more tiring to do (to me) than umpteen single braid extensions coz of how you have to hold your arms up to do them. So you can bet your bottom dollar, there'd be days when I'd quit halfway through and just wear a baggy for a few days and hats in the day till the mood hit me again. With extension braids, I can go a few weeks w/o needing to redo my braids, and even when they get messy, I don't have to redo the whole head in one sitting; just one braid at a time over a few days, while styling my hair in ways that camouflage the messy ones. Also I never use my comb again once the braids extensions are in. And that means, no comb for a year or however long I keep my braids in. This low manipulation, I am sure, is the main reason I am able to retain length.

I LOVE your braids! They look lovely. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Nonie]

I LOVE your braids! They look lovely. Thanks for sharing!

Thank you.

 

[BlkOnyx488]

Anyone can answer the following questions, but they are specifically directed at ladies with fine, soft and/or delicate hair:

1. If you wear braids, what kind of hair did you use (human or synthetic)?
i use the human hair for micro. The reason, when i use the cheaper hair I notice I have more hair loss. Whereas when I use the HH I only experience normal sheading when I take the braids out. However I do prefer the cheaper hair when I put larger braids in my hair and use bigger sections of my own hair per braid.

2. Have you successfully transitioned or stretched relaxers with braids/twists?
Yes. I use braids as a way to resist the temptation to slap a relaxer in my hair.

3. Did you experience breakage with braids/twists?
I notice when I use really small sections of my hair, it tends to break off.

4. Did wearing braids/twists help your hair grow?
Yes

5. How long did you keep your braids/twists in?
Micros only about 6 weeks 8 at the most but this is pushing it. I take them out when my edges get fuzzy. I do my own micro's so some times I will re-do the top and sides and leave the back in.
Lager braids I can leave in long. 8 -12 weeks but you have to monitor your hair for breakage

6. What size were you braids/twists?'
I usually do really thin braids.

7. Should ladies with softer hair avoid thicker braids/twists?
I think my micros are more damaging because you tend to use smaller sections of your real hair. if they get twisted around they will break off your hair. maybe half the size of the width of a pinky is a good size braid for fine hair.