That's why proper cleansing is an absolute must. "The natural hair at the scalp needs to be washed while the box braids are installed," says Dr. Marmur. "This starts the style off with a healthier clean scalp, reduces the chances of infection, and even washes away some of the chemicals in the synthetic hair."
Now that we've established that washing your hair while it's in braids is non-negotiable, we asked a few pros for some tips on how to properly cleanse your hair and scalp. Plus, we've got a few product suggestions to help leave your hair hydrated, scalp moisturized, and braids intact.
Washing Box Braids and Twists
Before you start, think about the needs of your hair. If scalp dryness is a particular concern for you, King suggests moisturizing products to target those areas. King also says, once again, to make sure you are paying close attention to how much buildup you have on your scalp and address that first. "Having excessive buildup is like putting a raincoat over any treatment you will use — it will not be as effective thus you are wasting your money," she explains.
Step 1: Clarify
If it's been a minute since you've washed your hair and you've been piling on the product, you should start by clarifying so you've got a super clean base to work with. "Use a deeply-cleansing shampoo as step one to get rid of product buildup and then rinse out," hairstylist Tiffany Mack advises. Her personal favorite is the TRESemmé Deep Cleanse Shampoo. We like the Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo.
Now that you've applied the product, "focus on the roots and the area where the braids and your hair meet because that's where most of the buildup occurs," New York City-based hairstylist T. Cooper advises. She shares this hair hack: "Dilute the shampoo with water, and use a squeeze bottle with a pointed nozzle for application as it helps it to penetrate in between the hair at the roots."
Why dilute the shampoo? "Sometimes when the shampoo is thick, it's hard to reach certain parts of the scalp," Cooper says. "Adding a bit of water helps it get into those tricky areas, and a squeeze bottle gives you more control over where the shampoo goes." Make sure you massage it thoroughly into your scalp, then slide the foam in a downward motion toward the tips of your braids. Going slowly and washing your hair with care is essential to preventing your box braids from frizzing up after your wash. "Make sure you are gently massaging the scalp to reduce frizziness," says Mack.
