Box braids have been around for thousands of years and are said to have been invented by women of the Nile Valley. Surviving through history, box braids expanded into so many styles that it’s difficult to keep track of them. And now, with celebrities donning box braids all the time, they’ve made a huge comeback (Think Janet Jackson in Poetic Justice).

What Are Box Braids?

Box Braids are a protective hairstyle where hair is sectioned into boxes and braided carefully. They protect one’s hair from weather and other external elements, and are versatile enough to be made into pigtails, buns, or updos. They come in various sizes, including micro box braids, small box braids, medium box braids, large box braids, and jumbo box braids.

What Are Micro Braids?

Micro braids are a type of box braids but way tinier. The crazy thing about them: they can last for as long as three months. Because they’re so small, you get to take better care of your scalp by washing and moisturizing it properly.

The biggest downside of micro braids is that it takes a long time to get them done — as long as twelve hours! And they aren’t done by one braider either; instead, multiple braiders work on your hair to give you the perfect micro braids.

Because they’re so small and tight, they result in a lot of tension on the roots of your hair, and if you aren’t careful enough with them, they could lead you toward a damaged hairline. Even their removal takes hours and hours!

Taking Care Of Braids

Braids, though a protective hairstyle, require a lot of looking after. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you’ve braided your hair:

• Wash them with a gentle shampoo by massaging them carefully into your scalp and braids. Be smooth about it, avoid tugging or rubbing vigorously.

• For moisturization, opt for a light leave-in conditioner so that there’s no product build-up. It’ll keep your hair moisturized and make the braids look shinier and healthier. For the scalp, buy a leave-in conditioner with SPF.

• For more moisturizing, use light hair oil on your hair. Apply delicately, don’t pour it down.

• Drink a lot of water. Dehydrating affects one’s hair, making them brittle, dull, and weak.

Remember to get your braids done by professional hairstylists. We, at Hair Fetish Alaska, specialize in box braids, sew-in weave, full lace wig installation, and silk press by specialists in Atlanta. To get to know all the services we offer, get in touch with us now.