What's the first sign that your braided protective style is getting old? Frizz…lots of it. Those annoying frizzy hairs can ruin your style, prompting you to take it down earlier than you would've otherwise.
But what if we told you that you can fix your frizzy braids and get more wear out of them? In this article, we'll explain how to fix frizzy braids quickly and easily so you can go back to slaying frizz-free!
How To Fix Frizzy Braids: The Best Ways to Get Rid of Frizzy Braids
There are a few ways you can fix frizzy braids, and we'll introduce you to a few of the best in this section. Let's get right into it!
Note: These tips work for any frizzy braids created on natural hair and braids created with extensions. Just to provide an example, these tips will work for hair extensions used to create box braids, goddess braids, bantu knot outs, single braids, flat twists, and any other braided hairstyle.
Mousse and Holding Spray
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One of the easiest and quickest ways to eliminate the frizz on your braids is to use mousse and holding spray. Grab your favorite styling mousse and smooth it onto the frizzy parts of your braids.
Follow it up with a holding spray to freeze your hair in a smoother state. Afterward, cover your hair with a silk or satin scarf and tie it snugly. Wait until your hair is 100% dry and then remove the scarf. After removing the scarf, you'll be met with sleek, frizz-free braids.
You can then style the hair around your natural hairline. To do so, apply some edge control and use a toothbrush or edge brush to add some swoops or waves.
This method works great for most braids, including box braids, straight backs, lemonade braids, faux locs, bantu knots, and more.
Note: Make sure that the mousse, holding spray, and edge control that you choose are alcohol-free and formulated with moisturizing ingredients. You don't want to apply drying hair products to your hair, as doing so can lead to dryness and an increased risk of breakage.
Also, if your braids already have product buildup, you'll want to clarify your braids before defrizzing. Applying more products on top of buildup is never a good idea.
Watch this video to see a full demonstration of this defrizzing method.
Full Refresh on Frizzy Box Braids
If your box braids are extremely frizzy and need a full refresh, all you need is a scalp purifier, diluted conditioner (4 parts water to 1 part conditioner), oil, or hair sheen of your choice, gel, and black rubber bands. Here are the steps you need to follow for a full box braid refresh.
- Cleanse your braids and scalp. Spray your scalp with the scalp purifier. Take your time and make sure that your entire scalp is covered in the product. If you have a lot of buildup, it's recommended to wash your braids normally with a clarifying shampoo and water. As you wash your hair and scalp, be gentle so you won't accidentally break or pull out any hair strands or damp braids.
- Condition your braids. After cleansing your braids, dilute some conditioner. To do so, mix four parts water with one part conditioner and spray it onto your braids. Run your fingers through your braids to aid in distribution. You don't have to rinse your hair after this step.
- Apply your oil or sheen. To seal in the moisture from the conditioner and water mixture, apply your oil or oil sheen to the braids and your scalp. Some of the best oils to use for this step include jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, tea tree oil, peppermint oil, and shea butter. If you're using an all-in-one oil spray, be sure that it's lightweight. Heavy oils are not suitable for braids, as they can weigh the hair down and cause breakage at the roots. Don't add too much oil to your braids, either, as doing so can lead to product buildup.
- Put on the rubber bands. Now that your hair is sufficiently cleansed, conditioned, moisturized, and sealed, you're ready to take care of the frizzy roots. The best way to do this is to put a rubber band around them. Starting with one braid, apply a hair gel or cream to the roots and smooth the hair upward. After your natural hair is sufficiently smoothed, put the rubber band on and wrap any remaining frizzies around the base of the braid.
- Style your edges and then put a scarf around them. After 30 minutes, take the scarf off and say hello to like-new box braids!
Warning: This method is only for people who have medium to large box braids with at least an inch of new growth. If you try this refresh method on less than an inch of new growth, your braids could end up too tight at the roots, increasing the risk of traction alopecia and breakage throughout your hair.
Rebraid the Braids in the Front
If you have super old box braids that you don't want to do a complete refresh on, you can reduce frizz by rebraiding only the front braids. This is often called a touch-up. Doing this will result in a cleaner, less frizzy look.
To do a touch-up on your braids, follow the below instructions:
- Take down one of the braids along your hairline. If you have extension braids, save the braiding hair (unless you have new braiding hair to use).
- Spray your natural hair down with water and apply oil to your scalp if needed.
- Rebraid the section.
- Move onto the next section and repeat the above steps. You'll rebraid only the braids around the perimeter of your hairline and along your part (if you have one).
This method works best for small braids that are too frizzy for a mousse and holding spray refresh. So, if you know how to braid and you've got the time, we recommend trying the touch-up method.
Frizz Prevention is Key to Keep Braids Fresh-Looking
Preventing frizz is much easier than fixing it. Luckily, preventing it doesn't take much work on your part. In this section, we'll give you a couple of tried-and-true ways to keep your hair slick and frizz-free for longer.
Cover Your Braids at Night
Covering your braids at night takes less than a minute and can make a huge difference in how frizzy they become. It can also affect how long your style ultimately lasts.
Whether you're wearing your hair in box braids, ghana braids, lemonade braids, or any other braid style, a silk or satin scarf or bonnet for braids is precisely what you need.
All of these reduce frizz by limiting friction between your hair cuticles and your bedding, keeping your hair from drying out.
Leave Your Hair Alone
The quickest way to frizzy braids is running your fingers through them, twirling them around your fingers, caressing them, or otherwise fidgeting with them.
So, if you want them to stay sleek and clean-looking (i.e., prevent frizz) for an extended amount of time, your best bet is to leave them alone.
Not only should you refrain from touching them, but you should keep them from rubbing up against rough or absorbent surfaces, like your clothes, the couch, or your bath towel.
Braid with Tension
When your hair is braided with sufficient tension, it's better able to resist frizz. On the contrary, loosely braided hair will get frizzy within a few days.
We are not suggesting that you braid your hair tightly at the roots but that you should hold the hair taut as you braid (once you braid about an inch from your scalp).
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Conclusion
We hope that this article is helpful to you as you fight the inevitable frizz that comes with braids. You've got all you need to banish frizzy braids for good - we wish you the best of luck!
