Your braids may get wet while bathing, swimming, or when it is raining. However, we do advise taking specific precautions to guard against fungus development, hair damage, frizz, and the unraveling of your braids.
Do Braids Get Wet in the Shower, Pool, or Rain? Why?
Inexperienced braiders frequently wonder if they can get their braids wet. They won’t have any success in finding the solution. Truth be told, guidance on this subject can be all over the place.
Some people say you should never get your braids wet, while others say it’s fine to get your braids wet.
So, who has the right idea? Here, we’ll address the burning question of the day. “Can you get braids wet?” so that you can make an informed decision about your hair.
Can You Get Braids Wet?
Your braids can withstand the rain, the pool, and the shower. But there are things you can do to keep your braids from getting fungus, getting damaged, getting frizzy, or coming apart. Keep reading to find out what could happen if water gets into your braids.
Risks of Getting Your Braids Wet
I don’t think it would be terrible if your braids got wet. Well, we’ll tell you all about the dangers of letting your braids get soaked in a moment.
Fungal growth
Mold and mildew and other fungi flourish in dark, warm, and enclosed spaces. As a result, mold can grow on wet braids if they aren’t dried thoroughly.
An offensive odor coming from the braids is the first sign of fungal growth. And once mildew and mold start growing in your braids, they are difficult to eradicate.
Fungal growth is more likely to occur if your braids are wet for an extended period of time. Therefore, you should dry your braids as quickly and thoroughly as possible.
We’ll show you how to dry your braids the right way, step by step, later in the article. It is always easier to prevent mold growth than it is to remedy it.
Hair Damage
According to studies, wet hair is weaker than dry hair, so wet braids are more likely to come apart. Heavy braids put extra strain on your roots, increasing the likelihood of breakage (e.g., hairline).
For instance, if you’re using weave to make your braids instead of your natural hair, you should be careful about getting the braids wet.
It’s been shown that swimming in chlorinated water can weaken and dry out your hair, making it more prone to breakage.
Frizz and Unraveling
Getting your braids wet increases the chance of them becoming frizzy. Wet hair tends to look much frizzier than dry hair because of the expansion and contraction caused by the water. A single swim can permanently ruin some ensembles.
Unlike a single French braid or crown braid, box braids and cornrows are less likely to cause frizz. The amount of tension used when installing braids determines how frizzy the hair will be once it comes into contact with water.
Unravelment is another potential problem. Water will immediately start unraveling your braids if they are not properly fastened.
Can You Swim with Braids?
You might decide that swimming isn’t worth the risk of damaging your braids now that you know about them. However, with the right safety measures in place, you can relax in the water or clean your braids with ease.
If you want to swim while wearing braids, consider the following:
1. Choose the Right Style
Not all braided hairstyles work well in the shower. Small to medium box braids, cornrows in a bun, Ghana braids, and lemonade braids are all water-resistant styles.
Rubber bands, hot water, or a flame can be used to seal the ends of your extension braids.
Make sure the ends of each braid are secured with rubber bands or pinned up with bobby pins or clips if you wear your hair in braids without extensions. Following these steps will prevent you from having to go through the hassle of getting your hair redone after a day at the pool.
2. Wet Your Braids Beforehand
Because of the damage that chlorine can cause to your hair, it’s important to take precautions to avoid it.
A great technique for this is to spray clean water onto your braids in sufficient quantities for your natural hair to soak it up. Assuming your hair has already soaked up the clean water, it won’t be able to take in too much chlorine.
3. Rinse Your Braids Afterward
You should always immediately rinse your hair after swimming in chlorinated water. Especially if you didn’t wet your braids with fresh water before jumping in the pool, this is crucial.
To be extra careful, you can also shampoo them and then condition them with a leave-in product, which we’ll go over in the next section.
4. Wear a Swim Cap
If you don’t want to take any other safety measures, wearing a swim cap is a great alternative. However, if you can’t get a good seal around your head, these caps may not prevent all water from entering. However, they are preferable to the alternative. Those women who wear braids or dreadlocks will appreciate this swimming cap.
How to Wash Braids Without Ruining Them
Braids are typically left in for 4-8 weeks by women. However, after a few weeks, you might notice an itchy scalp and a dusty appearance to your hair.
This calls for a thorough cleaning of your braids. There are a lot of people who don’t wash their braids because they’re afraid of ruining the style. However, if you follow the correct procedures for washing and drying, you have nothing to worry about.
Follow these simple steps to clean your braids thoroughly:
To make a shampoo spray, combine one part clarifying shampoo with two parts water in a spray bottle. The shampoo may be difficult to remove if it is used undiluted. Apply the shampoo-and-water mixture to your hair’s roots and spray. Over time, this is where grime and oil tend to accumulate. Similarly, don’t use dry shampoo on braids.
You should really rub your roots down. Give special attention to the space in between your braids, and make sure that you’ve thoroughly loosened any buildup there. You can lightly massage the mixture into your braids after spraying it down the length of your braids.
To get rid of any leftover shampoo mixture or debris, repeat steps 1 and 2.
Make sure your braids are no longer dripping by squeezing out the excess water
Completely dry your braids. Make sure your braids are completely dry by following these steps:
Start by rubbing your braids dry with a huge microfiber towel. Place it in the braids by wrapping it around your head and pressing it there. Alternatively, you can wrap the towel around a few braids at a time and gently squeeze them. Leave them out in the open to dry completely.
Instead of tying your braids up in a ponytail or bun while they are still wet, let them dry naturally over the course of a day.
If you don’t have time to let your hair air dry, you can speed up the process by using a blow dryer on the “cool” setting. It shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours, and you can do it with a bonnet hair dryer (or hooded dryer).
You can use a leave-in conditioner to lightly mist your braids if they feel dry. It’s possible that buildup will occur if you use regular conditioner on your braids. If possible skip the final rinse with your leave-in conditioner.
Put your braids in the usual fashion
If you want to clean your scalp and hair without experiencing excessive frizz or fungal growth, then you should follow the steps outlined above.
Note: The process to wash box braids isn’t significantly different from washing Ghana braids or any other type of braids. Following the above guidelines should ensure success. Remember to be gentle as you braid your hair and let it air dry whenever you can.
Related Article
You no longer have to worry about damaging your braids every time you use the washing machine or go swimming. Now, you are aware of the potential damage that could result from wet braids and how to prevent it.
Take as many measures as you can to protect your hair’s health and maintain a neat appearance. We wish you the best of luck with your braids and hope this article was helpful to you.
Sources:
Nia Soule Salon
https://www.niasoulesalon.com/price-list
Byrdie. The Fascinating History of Braids You Never Knew About.
https://www.byrdie.com/history-of-braids
Amplify Africa. The Rich History of Braids.
https://www.amplifyafrica.org/post/the-rich-history-of-braids
Paforfashion: Knotless Braids 2023: 18 New Looks:
https://paforfashion.com/knotless-braids-18-new-looks-for-2023
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