True or False: Tight Braids Make Your Hair Grow

True or False: Tight Braids Make Your Hair Grow

FALSE!

 

It is believed by some that braiding your hair makes your hair grow and the tighter the braids, the better. This is a total myth and is false. Hair grows at an average of a ½ an inch per month. The braids do not cause hair growth. How braids benefit your hair growth is with the retention.

New Growth

It is always refreshing to take down your braids after a few weeks and see a fuller and bigger afro. It seems as if the braids caused this growth but really the braids just retained the natural growth. It’s easy to feel as though your hair wouldn’t have grown “that much” had you not worn braids for that same period of time.

The reason why is because when your hair is braided the new growth comes from your scalp, underneath the braids and the remaining hair is weaved and protected within the braids. The hair is safe from daily wear and tear for example- breakage from ponytail holders or heat damage from flat ironing. Of course, the new growth is protected underneath the braids, so literally everything is protected.

Too Tight Leads to Damage

Braids are generally a protective style but depending on how they are done and cared for they can be damaging. Braids that are too tight can cause hair sores and hair loss especially around the perimeter of your hair. Continuous pulling of your perimeter can result in permanent hair loss leading to a receding hair line. Sometimes it’s not how tight the braids are but how heavy they are particularly when you are using weave extensions for styles like singles or micro braids. The weight of the additional hair can be too stressful on the strands especially if worn for a long period of time. It is important to pay attention to your hair and see how they are responding to your braids. If you continue to see negative affects you should consider changing your hair style or hair stylist.

Care for Your Hair

Braids can look beautiful for a long time but keeping your braids in for months and months straight can do more bad than good especially if your hair is typically on the dryer side. Even though your hair is braided it will still need its regular deep condition and other regimens. I recommend keeping braid styles in no longer than 3-6 weeks at a time to help retain your hair growth. You want to be sure to keep your scalp clean and moisturized and your hair washed and conditioned regularly to achieve and keep healthy natural hair!