Can you keep same braid(s) the whole time between the washes?

[Priska]

At the moment I'm sick'n'tired of brushing my hair that takes so long, if I've kept my hair down even half a day (which easily happens after airdrying my hair, if I have to leave my home before my hair is dry). I just don't have that time. It feels I don't have the time for several braidings or hairdos either. And yes I know I CAN do what ever I want with my hair, the law says nothing about hair care... but anyway I'd like to hear if anyone here has experience of keeping same braid(s) for several (or a few) days. I know I can cut my hair too, but there are still a few tricks I have not tried. ;)

Anyway now I don't want to be forced to brush my hair every day, but I want to spare this task to those moments I'm alone and nobody needs me.
And I think this way of keeping hair might be more common among some other cultures? :hmm:

Good hairstyle for this is two braids/milkmaid braids. I've been doing this a couple of mornings now and it works good so that I brush only the top part of my hair with BBB.

[Ylva]

I tried to do that when I was recovering from surgery, but it wouldn't work for me. I get terrible nape tangles wearing braids, and they shred, and everything just goes wrong. I had to take out the braids once a day and rebraid my hair, while washing my hair about once a week.

[baanoo]

Like Ylva, my hair gets wildly tangled if I leave braids in for too long but I know many other folks can do it. I suspect those with either very curly or very straight hair have an easier time!

If it's working for you then by all means, no reason not to. ;)

[shayna]

My braids look like a bird's nest after I sleep in them, with bits sticking out all over, so I can't just leave the same braids in for days.
They don't tangle (I think my hair is coarser than yours), but there are a lot of uneven layers because of regrowth from shedding, so that is what starts sticking out after a few hours.

[BlushingRose]

I keep braids in up to three days on a regular basis, they hold fine and I don't get tangles when I do take them out, but the braid shred gets unsightly. I wear a silk bonnet for sleeping, so that probably helps to keep them presentable for the first couple days.

[Priska]

Thank you for part taking you all! :heartbeat

These braids I made last sunday evening (this is very crucial now, I can't delay it or I may lose all). Now on tuesday my hair is fluffier but this is better deal with me right now. I think I'll hold them to my wednesday hair wash.

https://img.aijaa.com/m/00391/15284253.jpg (https://aijaa.com/UBsB7T)

[LongHairFaerie]

Pretty much same as Ylva haha.

I've settled into the routine of:

Nights: Undo braid. Comb hair. Bun hair for shower. Shower. Comb hair again. Braid hair. Go to bed.
Days: Only re-braid hair if I need to go somewhere and look semi-presentable. Repeat night/day routine until Sunday.
Sunday night: Wash hair and air dry. Crash into bed after forgetting to braid it.
Monday: Bun hair because I don't feel like braiding it since I didn't do it the night prior.

My crown and nape hair gets messy after sleeping on a braid or after wearing a braid for a day, which is why I renew it every night.

[ETJ CURLS]

As long as it doesn't tangle, I don't see the issue. Perhaps you could try braiding your hair with gel or a texture spray to get it to hold over multiple days. :hmm:

I generally wear braids 3-5 days in a row before my scalp gets fed up. If I do box braids (my own hair, no extensions) I might push it a week. Any longer than that and it starts to dread up.

[Priska]

Thank you for interesting information ETJ CURLS! :heartbeat Yes I do this too now... :)

[Bat]

You could try put mousse over top after you've Braided it might help reduce braid fraying but it might not feel that nice

[Priska]

Thank you for this Bat! :heartbeat Certainly a welcome idea, must try!