In the world of natural hair, cornrows serve two purposes: protection against daily stressors and a low-maintenance hairstyle. Whether braided to form a simple straight back look or into intricate patterns for wigs and weaves, they are ideal for any texture. However, like many protective styles, they do have drawbacks. “Tension is one of the most common issues that can lead to breakage around the perimeter of your hair,” says Xia Charles, celebrity braider and CEO of Braided New York. But learning how to care for cornrows can be a game-changer for both hair health and the longevity of your style.
For her clients, Charles prefers to use the RevAir Reverse-Air Dryer to dry and stretch the hair in one step. She notes this will also ensure you’re not tugging on the hair and inflicting too much mechanical damage.
Preparing Your Hair For Cornrows
The first rule of any protective style is to always begin with a clean head of hair. However, with cornrows, you should be using hydrating and moisturizing products during the washing process. Charles suggests looking for a shampoo and conditioner that are rich in ingredients like coconut water and hyaluronic acid. “The idea is to replenish and strengthen the strands as much as possible before you begin braiding,” she says. After thoroughly cleaning, you’ll need to blow dry your hair with as little heat as possible to minimize weakening the strands. For her clients, Charles prefers to use the RevAir Reverse-Air Dryer to dry and stretch the hair in one step. She notes this will also ensure you’re not tugging on the hair and inflicting too much mechanical damage.
The next steps include caring for your cornrows and caring for your hair after cornrows... to learn more keep reading >> The Zoe Report
