For how long your hair can be braided without combing?

**rockkcor** · October 11th, 2008, 05:03 AM

This is in response to ‘No combing challenge’. I find that combing breaks my hair way to often and I think that combing should be kept to a minimal if one is going to the extreme length.
For how long can your hair be braided without combing? I wonder if hair can be shampooed without unbridling in order to avoid combing?
Do you think that in long time it would improve the thickness and speed up the growth?

**mira-chan** · October 11th, 2008, 07:39 AM

It can be kept from wash to wash, especially if you cover with a silk scarf or similar at night. There is a possibility of damage from keeping a braid too long without re-braiding. How long is too long depends on the hair. The same hair are exposed to the outside for a long time, thus damaged more.

Another draw back is that once you unbraid you'll have a tough time removing the shed hairs. That could give bigger more damaging tangles. You technically can wash with a braid, but again tangling will increase.

Another note, you can re-braid without combing or with minimal finger combing. I do this all the time.

I've combed 1-2 times a week for a couple of months, and I combed 2 times a day while. I've had no difference in growth.

**kowlrea** · October 11th, 2008, 07:45 AM

i have kept my hair braided in small plaits for 4 weeks before ...and i washed it about twice every week

**florenonite** · October 11th, 2008, 09:29 AM

I think the longest I've kept plaits in for was a week when I was canoe-tripping a few summers ago.

**Xanthippe** · October 11th, 2008, 01:10 PM

I think the higher the number of braids, the longer you can keep it in without tangling issues.

Two French braids I have kept in for maybe two days? After that they started getting very frizzy. I've never tried more braids than that, but I've seen others have success for weeks at a time with mini braids.

**Gumball** · October 11th, 2008, 01:15 PM

I usually keep braids in no more than a day, but that's usually because they rub against my back and get all fluffy. That I take care of in the evening when I braid it again before bed. Now if I wear braids and bun them up somehow then tangling is really kept to a minimum (no rubbing against anything) and I can keep them in for longer if I wished. That was really apparent to me when first trying out the braided chinese bun. The braids didn't look fluffy at all when I'd take the bun down. I do think it depends on hair type, how it's worn and hair personality that really makes a difference on how braids work out over a certain period of time.

**Buddaphlyy** · October 11th, 2008, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by kowlrea

i have kept my hair braided in small plaits for 4 weeks before ...and i washed it about twice every week

Originally Posted by Xanthippe

I think the higher the number of braids, the longer you can keep it in without tangling issues.

Two French braids I have kept in for maybe two days? After that they started getting very frizzy. I've never tried more braids than that, but I've seen others have success for weeks at a time with mini braids.

I agree with these two posts. My hair has been braided for about 12 days now and I plan on keeping them for another 10-12. I have about 25-30 mini braids all over and I wash at least once a week with shampoo with occasional co washes in between. My hair is has a nice sheen and seems to be tangle free.