Hair sensitive to braiding/other ways to add interest to updos?

[NightSister]

I have searched the forum but haven't found anything on braiding sensitivity. Is this an issue any other LHCers face? I tried to do a couple accent braids to accompany a bun and when I took them out I shed noticeably from those areas. Basically any time I section my hair it seems its gets agitated and sheds. Even a half up feels uncomfortable. Maybe it has something to do with the "sticky" quality of my strands (sectioning my hair in any way takes a millenia)? Even dual french braids seem to agitate the issue.

In case I am doomed to a lifetime of plain hairdos, does anyone have any suggestions to make buns more interesting, i.e. without sectioned accents?

[Beeboo123]

Mine doesn’t fall out at the root, but just breaks and disintegrates =[ no braids for me. Even updos are hard, I just leave my hair down and to avoid mechanical damage, I have gotten super conscious of any rubbing or friction

[lapushka]

Mechanical manipulation can cause a bit more shedding, but that's normal; just don't overmanipulate the hair by putting braids in that are too small, for instance. You should be fine! Maybe try rope twisting?

[Cg]

Accent twists work as well as accent braids and take almost no time. They need very little manipulation too.

[Reyn127]

Hmmm.... are there any buns you do where you can separate a strand AFTER it's all pulled back as one? Like a cinnamon bun anchored on a ponytail, and separate a strand out of there before it all gets twisted together? It's probably not the look you're hoping for, but it may be an option.

[NightSister]

Mine doesn’t fall out at the root, but just breaks and disintegrates =[ no braids for me. Even updos are hard, I just leave my hair down and to avoid mechanical damage, I have gotten super conscious of any rubbing or friction

Beeboo123 I'm sorry to hear that! I've thought about leaving my hair down more - Do you just keep it draped in front of you?

Mechanical manipulation can cause a bit more shedding, but that's normal; just don't overmanipulate the hair by putting braids in that are too small, for instance. You should be fine! Maybe try rope twisting?

lapushka and Cg Maybe ropes would be better since that is just two pieces

Hmmm.... are there any buns you do where you can separate a strand AFTER it's all pulled back as one? Like a cinnamon bun anchored on a ponytail, and separate a strand out of there before it all gets twisted together? It's probably not the look you're hoping for, but it may be an option.

That's an interesting idea Reyn127. Maybe the added handling of the bun after its also been braided in places is what's causing the extra shed. I'll try that! With rope braids, just in case haha

[CrowningGlory]

In case I am doomed to a lifetime of plain hairdos, does anyone have any suggestions to make buns more interesting, i.e. without sectioned accents?

I'm not sure why your hair sheds more with braids but I also don't think you need to worry about a lifetime of plain hairdos. There are so many styles that don't involve braids, and so many hair toys, that I'm sure with time you'll find a way to spice up every style. And never forget the impact of flowers or other accents that could become your signature look.

If you desperately desire braids, could you use a false one to wrap around a bun or one that clips in? The same colour as your hair, or a fun colour, could give you what you're after but without the shedding. Just a thought.

[lapushka]

lapushka and Cg Maybe ropes would be better since that is just two pieces

You can try; it's a little less manipulation, I think. At least there's that. Do you have to have accents? You could do a half up, push the front piece a little up into a pouf, and then make your bun.

[NightSister]

CrowningGlory I'm positively in love with battle braids/elven styles/ anything fantasy inspired with those pretty, intricate little braids. But maybe fantasy inspired hair toys can work

[akurah]

I’m rather skeptical of braids causing hairfall. The braids should only contain hair that was going to fall anyway, which gives the illusion of increased shedding. (Despite my skepticism, I could be wrong)

Are you possibly braiding far too tightly?