how long do braids last?
The question though small to you, has many varying factors.
It all depends on the persons expertise, your hair texture, length of your hair, size of the braids or cornrows and the aftercare instructions given..If the braider cant braid well..that automatically puts it in the bucket of “IT AIN’T GONNA LAST” PEERRIIOOOODDDDD.
Once your braids are done by a skilled professional with amazing aftercare instructions, then we can talk!
Afro- textured hair tends to last longer in braided styles. Sorry guys, this texture holds tension and pattens better, thats all it is, nothing else.
So braids can last an extra 1-3 weeks compared to other textures. Just because braids last a bit longer..it doesn't necessarily mean you need to keep them in for forever and a day, just because your texture allows it. For me even when having small knotless braids and I see some girls wearing those suckers for 3 months. I can only stand having them in for about 6 weeks..even though I could go 2 months because my texture allows it and even add another 2 weeks on top of that. But I like my braids to look brand new, that's just me. Whereas my sister can leave them in the 3 months and be good to go and not skip a beat.
Wear your braids for a reasonable amount of time and gauge when its time to remove them, by how they look. Focus on scalp care and hair care. Give your scalp a break in-between braids if you get braids frequently. Management is key and hair health is gold.
Now lets get back on track. When I say “lasts longer it means, it looks a bit better as the braids age. Your braids depending on the type you get will never look the same on day #1 compared to day #30. Remember you have to factor in sleeping, styling, shampooing and hair growth. Those things will naturally age your style. Your roots will start growing by week 2.
Lets do some estimations, so you have a general idea.
Stitch Cornrows (Non afro textured hair)
4 Stitch Cornrows - 2 weeks
6 Stitch Cornrows- 2 ½ to 3 weeks
10 Stitch Cornrows- 3 weeks, 3½ pushing it
Knotless Braids (Non afro textured hair)
Large Braids- 3 ½ weeks
Medium Braids- 4-6 weeks
Small Braids- 5-7 weeks
Plaits/Twists without braiding hair
Depends again on texture. For Afro hair textures medium to small plaits no braiding hair lasts about 3 ½ weeks. Then you re-do them to refreshen the look. Twists age faster than plaits on afro textured hair. Once you shampoo after getting twists, automatically the twists shrink and they get a little fuzzy. Plaits don't shrink like natural twists do. So for non-afro textured hair without using braiding hair, it will be a simliar ish timeframe, but your twists in particular wont shrink and be as fuzzy. Your plaits would be fine as well. Hope that helps.
I again have done plaits on myself, so I know. I like to re-do mines every 2 ½ weeks, again because I like my braids to look brand new.
So as you can see it all varies. Once you factor in the good aftercare baby! your style will be better off trust me. The worst thing is giving clients no aftercare instructions. That is really not good service and shows your lack of understanding of scalp care and hair care.
TaaTaa :)