If they cause your hair to pull out, and you end up having a receding hairline, That’s no longer a protective style right? Because, if the hair you are trying to protect fall out with the braids, there’s no progress there. Braids are indeed a very good and reliable protective style but if not done well, they will end up taking you 2 steps back instead of a step towards your hair goals, whatever they may be.
I had braids done on my hair recently and I think they were too tight. I did not loose much hair but I think my hairline looks thinner. Receding hairline or traction alopecia being a very common problem among African women can happen to anyone. Braids being a common cause of traction along the hairline, I thought to share some tips on how to tell that your braids may not be a protective style after all.
How to tell your braids are too tight.
- There’s visible pulling especially along the front hairline. This you need to tell the stylist right away that the braids are too tight so that changes can be done.
- You are finding it hard to tie them down even after 3 days of having them in. Failing to tie your braids soon after they are done may be understandable because some people like myself have generally a sensitive scalp. But 3 days in, then you know they are too tight. Wash your braids. They tend to loosen a bit after being washed. Or even just run some water through them without having to use shampoo or conditioner.
- There is some white stuff along your hairline specially. That’s your hair that has already pulled out from your scalp. There is not much that you can do at this point to prevent any damage except that you will need to give your hairline some rest, so no braids for some time. Do loose twists or something much simpler, that does not cause any inflammation of your hairline so that you give it a chance to heal and usually, the lost hair will grow back. It’s when the pulling is left to go on unabated that scarring happens and hair refuses to grow again.
At the coil conversations hosted Jabu Stone.
I hope this helps someone and you are able to keep those edges or that hairline growing. Prevention is better than cure so do what you can to make sure you preserve your hairline. If you notice any thinning, take precaution quickly and nip it in the bud so that you don’t scar. It takes longer to recover a hairline than loosing it. So, take care. Don’t loose hair or sleep over a hairstyle. Here are some of the photos I took when I had the braids in.
At the coil conversations hosted Jabu Stone.
At the coil conversations hosted Jabu Stone.
With Jabu at the coil conversations hosted Jabu Stone.
And some photos after removing the braids. Does my hairline really look thin or it’s all in my mind? 
Natural hair
Here is to healthy hair. God bless you.
