Continue for more info about box braid longevi<\/span>ty, <\/span>along with some handy tips for maintenance!<\/span><\/p>\n Oftentimes, before people invest in box braids, they want to know how long they last. Of course, the question o<\/span>f \u201chow long can you keep box braids in?\u201d ha<\/span>s a lot to do with your own unique hair, how you treat it, and what preventative measures you take to keep it healthy. <\/span><\/p>\n On average, box braids tend to last between four to six weeks. <\/span>Most experts say<\/span><\/a> that although it\u2019s fine to leave your braids in for one month, you don\u2019t want to keep them in any longer than two months.<\/span> If you\u2019re curious how long they last, you might also question \u201c<\/span>how much do box braids cost<\/span><\/a>?\u201d Price varies and it depends on the style.<\/span><\/p>\n Similar to when you leave other protective hairsty<\/span>les in for too long \u2014 such as cornrows or crochet braids \u2014 when your box braids are in, your scalp can\u2019t breathe. <\/span>Some stylists say<\/span><\/a> the scalp is an extension of the other skin on your <\/span>body, and when th<\/span>at skin is covered, the natural oils and dead skin cells have nowhere to go, which causes them to build up on the scalp.<\/span><\/p>\n There are quite a few factors that can impact braids\u2019 longevity. Now that you\u2019re more familiar with <\/span>how long box braids last, here are some elements that can cause your \u201cbraid time\u201d to fluctuate.<\/span><\/p>\n One of the primary reasons some people\u2019s braids last longer than others has to do with hair growth rate. If your hair grows at a quicker speed, your braids will grow out faster, leading you to have to re<\/span>–<\/span>do them more often. If your hair grows slower, on the other hand, you won\u2019t have to get your braids redone as frequently. <\/span><\/p>\n Keep in mind that even if your hair grows slower, you still shouldn\u2019t overdo it and go past that two-month mark. Also, remember to give your braids time to recover in between sets. Give your scalp and your hair one month to recuperate is a good rule of thumb.<\/span><\/p>\n The question, \u201chow long can you keep box braids in?\u201d <\/span>has a lot to do with your hair type and your scalp. Generally speaking, it\u2019s ideal if you can find the perfect balance between braids that aren\u2019t too tight or too loose. Tight braids might tug at the hairline, while braids that are too loose might come undone. So, finding that balance when braiding hair will help keep them intact and aid in their longevity. <\/span><\/p>\n Although box braids are a low-maintenance protective style, it\u2019s important that you come up with a daily routine plan to keep your locks looking (and feeling) good. Leave-in conditioners, scalp oils, and hair wraps are all good products to explore. <\/span><\/p>\n The size of your box braids can also be an indicator for answering how long box braids last. Micro box braids, or thin braids, can actually last for up to three months. This is because this particular type of braids has smaller parting sections, which allows more access to your scalp. More access means you can moisturize and wash your braids more easily and keep them healthy.<\/span><\/p>\n Jumbo box braids, on the other hand, don\u2019t last as long as traditional box braids and certainly not as long as micro braids. Once you hit that six-week mark, you\u2019ll be more than ready to give your scalp a rest<\/span>,<\/span> then go back for a braid re-do. <\/span><\/p>\n Now that we\u2019ve covered how long you can keep box braids in, let\u2019s talk about tips for extending the life of the braids. Box braids, as we\u2019ve mentioned, are a low maintenance type of protective style. However, it\u2019s important to keep up with your braids with things like washing or moisturizing. <\/span><\/p>\n There are a few different ways you can moisturize your braids to keep them healthy. Whether it\u2019s hot oils, braid sprays, or even just a simple yet effective spritz of water, here\u2019s how to appropriately moisturize your beautiful braids. <\/span><\/p>\n Take it from the professionals at <\/span>Kink and Coil<\/span><\/a>: heat up a blend of coconut oil, grapeseed oil, castor oil, and extra virgin olive oil, then sit with the mixture in your hair for 30 minutes to one hour. You can either rinse it out with shampoo or co-wash. Making this a part of your weekly routine will help keep your box braids moisturized. <\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking to give your braids some extra moisture, opt for a braid spray. Braid sprays can be utilized on the scalp for<\/span> already braided hair. <\/span>Although the magical spray bottle can work wonders for keeping the hair conditioned, they also help with adding some extra shine. Depending on what spray you choose, braid sprays can also reduce itchiness, offer a pleasant fragrance, and be used on both natural and synthetic hair. <\/span><\/p>\n Surprisingly, a spritz of water mixed with some light oil is a wonderfully easy way to keep your hair hydrated on a daily basis. Water or water-based products penetrate the braids and moisturize the braids. <\/span><\/p>\n A leave-in conditioner is another great way to moisturize your lovely locks. Look around for a conditioner that closely matches your hair type (like curly hair<\/a> or color-treated hair). If you have synthetic hair in your braids, a conditioner with protein in it <\/span>can help to strengthen your natural hair<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n No discussion about <\/span>how long box braids last<\/span> is complete without talking about washing! Washing helps get rid of product build-up, but it also helps to clean your scalp and get rid of dandruff and bacteria too. Washing your scalp can help to prolong the life of your braids and ensure your hair is kept healthy and happy. Before you get these hairstyles, you should look into <\/span>how to wash box braids for proper care<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n If you don\u2019t have time to do a full-on wash, dry shampoo is a good option, too. Look for a hydrating dry shampoo, which can add moisture back to the scalp and keep your braids from feeling dry and itchy. <\/span><\/p>\n Part of<\/span> how long box braids last has to do with your night care routine. Practicing proper night care can help to reduce friction for your braids, which can aid in their preservation. To extend the life of your braids, spray your hair with a leav<\/span>e-in conditioner or water. If your hair feels dry, massage some oil into the ends. From there, if it\u2019s comfortable, wear something over your braids to protect them (like a silk hair wrap). <\/span><\/p>\n When your hair starts to grow in, you\u2019ll notice that your braids need to be touched up. Thankfully, you don\u2019t have to re<\/span>–<\/span>do the entire head of braids. Instead, freshen up the braids along the <\/span>hairline, and <\/span>you\u2019ll be good to go.<\/span><\/p>\n Picking or scratching your braids can lead to damage. If you want to see your braids protected and keep yourself from feeling itchy, use an anti-itch oil on your scalp every couple of days. The key is to use a cotton ball to coat the scalp (without soaking the braids).<\/span><\/p>\n The most protective styles for box braids are those that don\u2019t pull or add too much tension. We know how tempting it can be to style your braids every day \u2014 <\/span>fancy updo or ballerina bun<\/span><\/i>,<\/span><\/i> anyone?<\/span><\/i> \u2014 but it\u2019s critical to remember that over-styling your box braids can lead to loose braids, which can lead to a quicker visit to the salon chair. The pulling can also harm your natural hair and lead to hair loss.<\/span><\/p>\n With box braids, your stylist will typically trim your flyaways to keep the braids looking their best. Although you can<\/span> also do this at home, the key is to be absolutely sure where your natural hair ends and the synthetic hair begins. Otherwise, you end up giving your natural hair a trim in the process, too!<\/span><\/p>\n Now that you\u2019re more familiar with how long you can keep box braids in, along with some maintenance tips, it\u2019s time to decide whether it\u2019s the hairstyle for you. If you want the benefits of a box braids style, you should also stay in the loop on <\/span>how to style box braids<\/span><\/a> so you don\u2019t miss any trends!<\/span><\/p>\nHow Long Do Box Braids Last?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Different Factors That Impact Braids\u2019 Longevity<\/span><\/h2>\n
Personal Hair Growth Rate<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.styleseat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Box-Braids-02.png\")
<\/p>\nTight vs. Loose<\/span><\/h3>\n
Products<\/span><\/h3>\n
Box Braid Length<\/span><\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nMaintenance Tips for Box Braids<\/span><\/h2>\n
Moisturize <\/span><\/h3>\n
Hot oils<\/span><\/h3>\n
Braid sprays<\/span><\/h3>\n
Water<\/span><\/h3>\n
Leave-In Conditioner<\/span><\/h3>\n
Wash<\/span><\/h3>\n
Night Care<\/span><\/h3>\n
Touch-Ups<\/span><\/h3>\n
Anti-Itch Oil<\/span><\/h3>\n
Avoid Overstyling<\/span><\/h3>\n
Trim Flyaways<\/span><\/h3>\n