HAPPY NEW HAIRDO!

On this page I hope to answer some of the questions most frequently asked by my customers. I recommend that you bookmark this page so that you are able to reference it when needed. As always, if you have a particular query which is not addressed here, or if you are worried about anything, you are able to contact me directly, see the contact page for details.

I offer a discount on return to those who send pictures for use on my website and advertising so please send your shots in JPEG form to my e-mail address. Pictures should be clear, uncluttered, and in no way altered using an imaging tool such as Photoshop. The pictures should be of various angles but mainly please make sure it is a picture of your hair, though a good shot with your face in is also necessary.

FAQ's

• Boxbraids
• Materials
• Initial problems
• Your fresh braids
• Wearing your braids
• Sleeping
• General care
• Maintenance
• Minging
• Removal of braids
• Enjoy your extensions!

BOXBRAIDS
Most braids installed at woolhairhabit use a rare and intricate method known as BOXBRAIDING. This is a highly specialist technique using four strands rather than the customary three, and is only performed by a handful of extension technicians worldwide. The main advantage of boxbraids is the strength the technique lends to the style; the braids are strong and secure and less likely to slip down the hair than traditional plaiting. The braids are round where traditional plaits are flat, and they look beautiful too. Boxbraids rarely come undone and generally last about three months. In some cases, where the hair grows particularly quickly or where the customer has been tough on the extensions, this can be shortened. Boxbraids do not generally damage the natural hair; indeed, most people usually report that their hair is in better condition for a period of not washing it or putting it through heat/chemical processes. If your hair is in bad condition prior to braiding, it will still be in bad condition afterwards and I will have mentioned at your appointment if I have any special concerns which relate to your hair.

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MATERIALS
I always endeavour to provide my customers with the finest quality materials; most yarns supplied by myself will be top-grade Colinette yarns. This company specialises in hand-dying, ensuring that each skein of yarn I but is absolutely unique. I do my best to make sure you receive what you have requested. In some cases, due to the hand-made nature of the product, yarns can contain varying degrees of your chosen colour/s. If i have felt the yarn I have been sent differs greatly from your order, I will have discussed this with you prior to the installation. Different types of yarn offer various qualities when added to your hair. A certain number of yarns can shed to varying degrees; if you have chosen such a yarn, i will have discussed this at your appointment.

If you have chosen to have your braids done with synthetic hair instead of wool, I will have selected the best quality hair I have been able to buy. As companies vary in their products, there is no all-encompassing rule I can impart to you with regards to how it will wear. If I have had any particular concern in working, I will have discussed this at your installation. For general care and maintenance points, please follow the advice on this page.

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INITIAL PROBLEMS
In a case where your braids have come undone, I will rectify this if it is within four weeks of your initial appointment. However, I do not hold myself liable for any problems if the braids have been altered afterwards, either by yourself or anyone else at your request. I will also not honour this if I believe the braids have been tampered with. Be warned: I have worn braids myself one many occasions, and am very much aware of what to expect as they wear and settle in. I can spot damaged braids immediately and will charge to rectify them in this case. I am also able to perform adjustments to a style which is causing problems in some way, so please contact me immediately if you have a problem. It is also possible to book a tidy-up session to refresh braids that have been in for a while. This can extend the wearing time of a style for a few more weeks.

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YOUR FRESH BRAIDS
When your braids are new, i advise that you treat them carefully in order to let them settle. You will probably notice the extra weight and, even if they don't feel heavy, your scalp will need time to adjust. I generally recommend that you resist the urge to move them around or tie them up until they have been in place for a few days. The braids may make your scalp feel sore initially, particularly at night. This is normal and usually subsides after a few days. If soreness persists, please contact me for advice.

Most people wash their natural hair regularly, and it can be difficult to get used to the idea of not washing your hair. I DO NOT recommend the washing of braids as it can reduce the tension and affect the materials. I particularly advise against the washing of wool as it is possible to shrink the fibres- not great if your hair is braided through it.

Most people find their head will itch while wearing braids, the most pronounced period of itching being in the first two weeks after installation. In keeping with advice offered to eczema sufferers, I recommend that you do your best not to scratch your scalp. This is because scratching inflames the area, causing increased sensitivity to the materials coming into contact, thus continuing the itch/scratch cycle. It is considered better to gently pat the irritated area, or to tug slightly on the braids in the affected area. I have heard of people taking anti-histamine tablets in this first, most intense period of discomfort. I do not condone the use of medication, and you should be aware of the risks of taking medicine that is not needed. It is possible to buy scalp sprays formulated for treatment of braid-induced itching from afro-care shops, though you should avoid buying one with a high oil content as it will make your head feel greasy. I may have supplied you with a bottle of spray which will soothe your scalp through the itches. However, please bear in mind that whatever you put onto your hair at this point will remain there for some time, so I recommend only occasional use when you need it.

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WEARING YOUR BRAIDS
Once your extensions have settled in, they should be versatile and strong enough to style them as you please. I generally recommend that you tie them up carefully, without excessive weight being placed on any particular area. Everybody's hair is finer around the hairline and the nape of the neck; for this reason, I urge you NOT to have these areas bearing the weight of your style. Instead, tie your braids up by grabbing the section at the crown first, and gathering the remaining braids back into the bunch you have created here. I do not recommend tying them back tightly, as this will put extra stress onto your scalp and hair and can make your head quite sore. Likewise, you should loosen off individual braids immediately if you feel them pulling; a tightly-pulled braid will be quite painful if left all day/ all night. Experiment with different ways of tying your braids up, using various methods and materials until you find the way you like.

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SLEEPING
There is a great deal of advice available regarding the best thing to do with your extensions for bed; some of which contradicts itself. It is said that sleeping on a silk or satin pillow will keep your braids neater for longer -likewise, binding your extensions in such a fabric to go to sleep. Some people say you should tie them up for bed, while others say not. Personally, I do not sleep on silk or satin and i let my extensions down to go to sleep. You should find your own preferred option, depending on your sleeping habits and the length of your extensions.

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GENERAL CARE
The good news is that the bulk of the problems associated with wearing braids come and then go within the first few weeks. From this point, your braids should be easy to look after and should need nothing done to them until removing or refreshing them.

The main things to watch out for are extreme weather conditions, or environmental factors which can affect the way the wear or feel. For instance, if you are exposed to hot sunshine you should take care to protect your scalp where the sections have been made. Sun protection cream should be used, or a hat or fabric covering the top of your head to prevent sunburn. Take it from me, sunburn on your scalp makes you feel very grotty indeed and can be particularly dangerous in terms of sunstroke. Likewise, you should attempt to keep your braids dry where possible.

Tie your extensions up to use the bath or shower and try to cover them in a downpour. If they do get wet, it is important to ensure that they dry thoroughly afterwards. This is due to a simple equation: damp+ heat= mould. Lovely. The best thing to do is to let them loose at the first opportunity until all areas are dry. I do not recommend the use of hairdryers to do the job, as the materials can be adversely affected by heat.

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MAINTENANCE
As your hair grows, the space between the scalp and the braid will become larger. There is nothing that can be done about this other than to refresh them professionally, and the rate at which it is noticed will depend on how quickly your hair grows. You may notice a wispy 'halo' of hair working loose over time. Again, this is unavoidable although the effect can be reduced by dampening down and tucking away the stray hairs in a mirror.

Sometimes it is possible to see hairs which have been shed naturally from the scalp, poking out of the root end of the braid. If a number of these loose hairs have a visible white bulb on the end, it means the hair has been pulled out rather than having shed naturally. This will be more visible on dark hair and is a sign that your natural hair is under stress. If you tie up your braids a lot, try loosening the tension. If your chosen style is very long or very heavy, your hair will be more at risk; contact me if you are unduly concerned. Otherwise, these strays can usually be removed by carefully grabbing the root end with a tweezer and gently pulling the hair free of the braid.

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MINGING
When your braids are getting old, you may notice a certain smell coming from them. This again is unavoidable and greatly dependent on your lifestyle etc. I have heard of people using products designed to mask or remove odour, such as deodorant sprays or Febreeze. I would not recommend the use of either to treat your braids, as they are not formulated for the scalp and hair and, in the case of Febreeze, not formulated for skin contact. I recommend the use of IC Braid Sheen Spray made by Fantasia and sold in most afro-care shops. This is purpose formulated from natural ingredients and can be sprayed down the length of the extensions to make them smell beautiful.

You may also notice that you have dandruff or a greasy scalp towards the end of the three months, depending on your natural hair type. Dandruff can be brushed off gently with your fingers, whereas excessive touching of a scalp prone to greasiness will encourage more oils to be produced. It is at this point that some people decide to remove their extensions.

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REMOVAL OF BRAIDS
There will come a time when your hair extensions need to be removed. Unfortunately, this can only be done the same way as they are installed; with patience, care and manual work. I do offer an undo service but be warned, I hate taking them out as much as anyone and I do charge accordingly! So for your reference, I have produced this simple guide to removing braids.