Is it OK to perm your hair after taking out braids? (2023)

What should you not do after taking braids out?

Finger Detangle – Don't brush

Take your time and make sure you gently finger detangle your hair while removing each braid. Don't use a brush to get rid of the knots and shed hair.

Braids. Braids are embraced as a go-to protective style for many people with curly textured hair. However, they may not be the best option if you have a fresh perm. Braids, especially if they are tight and restricting, could destroy the curl pattern that you worked so hard to achieve.

Basically any of them, only you need to let your hair rest for 2 weeks at least after removing braids.

“For example, I normally recommend letting your hair breathe for at least three to seven days post-sew-in or braids before getting extensions reinstalled.” For natural styles, however, she thinks that taking a one- or two-day break is a good idea.

You normally shed anywhere between 150 – 200 strands a day (some more). So, if you wear a protective style for 6 weeks or more, that's approximately 6,300 – 8,400 strands that have yet to be combed out.

But unfortunately, braiding hair does not speed up growth rate. Your hair grows at a rate determined by genetics, while lifestyle factors like your diet and stress levels can cause thinning and breakage. But the way you wear your hair is not a factor in your hair growth rate.

Your braids should not be too tight, especially around your edges. Too much pulling causes tension and can not only cause breakage, but the breakage can be irreparable. It's also important that the braiding technique your stylist uses is consistent.

Ponytails and braids -- "Ponytails and braids can cause hair to break, especially if your style is pulled tightly," Mirmirani says. "If you wear it that way every day, permanent hair damage can occur." Braiding or putting your hair in a ponytail when it's wet can cause damage sooner because wet hair is more fragile.

She says eight weeks tops, especially if you have bigger braids, which won't last as long as smaller ones. "When your braids start growing out and displaying a lot of new growth, it's usually an indication you need to take them out," she says.

When you take out your braids, gently detangle hair with a wide-tooth comb before washing. This will help prevent knots and tangles while you wash your hair. Detangle hair from the ends and work your way up to your roots.

What hair should not be permed?

No, not if you have virgin or unprocessed hair.

If you have lightened or bleached hair, getting a perm is slightly riskier, so it's important to go to a professional. If you have colored or bleached hair, make sure you use a perm for colored hair. It will be less damaging and protect your hair more.

Your hair needs to be healthy if you want your curls to turn out beautifully. Untreated hair tends to hold a perm best. If your hair is color-treated, dry, or damaged, you might want to postpone your perm plans for a month or two to let your locks recover.

Traction Alopecia:

Traction alopecia is defined as hair loss caused by pulling on the hair. This type of hair loss can be caused by too-tight ponytails, buns, and braids. Symptoms of traction alopecia begin as small bumps on the scalp. As the condition progresses, hair begins to fall out and break off.

One of the reasons folks install box braids is to give their strands a break and allow their hair to retain length. However, leaving in a protective style, like box braids, for too long will undo all of the protection and make your hair prone to breakage.

Yes, tight braiding and weaves—even tight buns and ponytails—when worn over long periods of time can cause irreversible hair loss, called traction alopecia (baldness). This is because chronic pulling of the hair causes too much tension and traction on the follicles, causing them to permanently dislodge from the scalp.

“Braiding the hair is a good, protective practice that can save your hair from any breakage as it strengthens the hair structurally. In fact, a loosely-tied braid can work alongside your body's natural process to boost hair growth,” Shah explains.

What hairstyle grows hair faster?

Braiding your hair can help to make it grow faster by providing it with a more stable structure. The style can also protect your hair from daily contact with textiles and objects that may cause additional friction, which can lead to breakage.

Although braids can last anywhere between two to eight weeks depending on which kind you go for and how you wear them, you should be prepared to cleanse roughly every two to three weeks. If you've been swimming (or happen to sweat a lot), your scalp will require a bit of TLC.

A fine-tooth comb like a rat tail comb works best when your hair is still braided to remove buildup, as you can use the tail to “maneuver in between the braids,” and get rid of tiny flakes visible on the top of the hair shaft or between the braids.

Extremely tight braids pulling on the hair follicles for months or even years can cause irreversible damage and traction alopecia. It's important to take a break every so often to allow hair to rejuvenate and revitalize with moisturizers and proper hair treatments.