Preserving hair health while wearing small cornrows requires care and specific techniques. This stylish, low-maintenance hairstyle can damage hair if not appropriately managed. This guide outlines essential practices to maintain hair health while wearing this protective style.
What Are Small Cornrows?
Small cornrows are a hairstyle characterized by narrow braids closely affixed to the scalp. Each braid is slender. The size of the braids contributes to a polished and intricate overall appearance.
Cornrows can be styled in various patterns and designs, offering versatility and visual interest. Beyond aesthetics, this hairstyle is often favored for its practicality, as it typically demands less frequent maintenance than other styles.
Caring for Your Hair While Wearing Small Cornrows
Cornrows are a popular protective hairstyle for promoting hair growth and preventing breakage. However, proper care is essential to maintain hair health. Here is a guide to caring for your hair in cornrows:
Preparation Before Installing Cornrows
Preparing your hair before getting cornrows is very important to avoid damage. One of the most frequent errors is blow-drying the hair before the extension installation, resulting in dryness and further deterioration. Instead, it would help to focus on hydration to create a suitable environment for the cornrows.
Start by washing your hair sufficiently and cleaning the scalp. Then, condition and nourish the hair with a rich-moisture treatment. This helps prepare your hair for the harsh impact of the braiding needed for cornrow installation and also ensures that your hair has enough moisture for some days.
Avoid Excessive Tension
Of all the risks associated with wearing cornrows, one of the most serious is pressure on the hair and scalp. When cornrows are done tightly, they put some pressure on the hair follicles, which results in breakage and irritation. In severe cases, hair follicles may become damaged due to tension, which can lead to traction alopecia, which makes hair loss permanent.
To minimize these problems, ensure the stylist does not closely braid your hair. Also, it is recommended that you wait between installations and not add new cornrows or braid your hair for at least a month. Adjusting the positioning of the cornrow patterns can also reduce the impact on the same areas of your head.
Setting Your Cornrows
Use the correct styling products to enhance the beauty of your cornrows and achieve a long-lasting style. You can apply a mousse hairstyle to the hair before creating the cornrows to enhance the shine without making the hair appear too oily.
If you go to a hair salon, putting on a dryer or using a silk scarf to set the style may be appropriate. This step helps shape the cornrows, creating a more finished and long-lasting appearance.
Reducing Friction
Since cornrows tend to unravel over time as the hair grows, reducing friction is advisable. If friction is very high, the hair will become frizzy, or the cornrows will become loose. Avoid wearing hats or other accessories that could rub against your braids.
However, the primary source of friction is often from sleeping. Use a satin bonnet or pillowcase to protect your cornrows at night to prevent this. This will help reduce friction and preserve the integrity of your braids.
Hydration Over Greasing
Old methods of scalp management involved smothering the scalp with products rich in oils and fats. However, this can cause the product to accumulate, which means that to clean it, you will need to wash it more frequently, reducing the longevity of cornrows.
Avoid using water heavily mixed with oil to prevent the skin from becoming soggy. Instead, use water and light oils, including olive oil, coconut oil, and jojoba oil. Rubbing this mixture onto the exposed scalp areas and placing it on the hair braids ensures that the hair is moisturized and the braids do not unravel.
Gentle Removal
To remove your cornrows, you must be very keen to avoid damaging the hair since the removal process could be painful. You can also use a hair oil or leave-in conditioner to help detangle your hair before undoing the braids.
Pulling or tugging on your hair can lead to breakage, so you should avoid this at all costs. It is also essential to wash your hair and apply conditioner after the cornrows have been unbraided to replenish the lost moisture and minimize hair tangling.
Moisturizing Your Hair
Although a protective hairstyle, cornrows can occasionally cause dryness because of their inherent tension and limited ability to absorb moisture. To prevent this and preserve hair health, it is essential to keep hair well-moisturized. To maintain moisture, use a mild hair oil or leave-in conditioner regularly.
Pay close care to these regions to ensure your scalp and hair roots receive enough nourishment. Hair oil products are excellent because they assist hair health and moisture by encouraging hair growth and moisturizing.
Conclusion
Maintaining the health of your hair while wearing small cornrows is essential to prevent damage. You can enjoy the style without compromising hair integrity by adhering to these care tips. Proper hair preparation, avoidance of excessive tension, utilization of suitable products, friction reduction, and scalp hydration are key. They enhance both the aesthetic appeal of your cornrows and the optimal condition of your hair.
Comentarios