The fastest way to grow your hair to great lengths.
This method, you are about to learn, will grow your hair longer, fuller and stronger. Each step must be follow to achieve maximum results, unless otherwise stated. When followed correctly your hair will grow longer and you will retain the length. After 3 months on this program you will see fuller longer healthier hair.
So what is the Braid, Retain & Grow haircare method?
It consist of you wearing your hair in medium to large size braids for 10 week intervals over a period of 6 months to a year. What makes this method unique is how you prepare your hair for the braids, how you take care of your scalp while your hair is braided and how you remove your braids.
Step one: Choose a style
Medium or large size extension braids or kinky twists
Or two strand twists or braids on natural hair. Styles done with extensions should be kept in no longer than 10 weeks and styles done on natural hair should be redone after 4 weeks. When you keep your hair braided for long periods it is more likely to become matted and tangled, which leads to extra breakage when you remove the braids. No micro braid styles with extensions or without are recommended for the technique. Braiding your hair to small leads to breakage and using to much extension hair per section of your natural hair leads to breakage. Proceed to step two before you begin the braid process. The styles listed above are the only styles recommended for the Braid, Retain & Grow haircare method. These styles give the best results. Feel free to modify based on your preferences but your results will not be the same.
Medium or large size extension braids or kinky twists
Or two strand twists or braids on natural hair. Styles done with extensions should be kept in no longer than 10 weeks and styles done on natural hair should be redone after 4 weeks. When you keep your hair braided for long periods it is more likely to become matted and tangled, which leads to extra breakage when you remove the braids. No micro braid styles with extensions or without are recommended for the technique. Braiding your hair to small leads to breakage and using to much extension hair per section of your natural hair leads to breakage. Proceed to step two before you begin the braid process. The styles listed above are the only styles recommended for the Braid, Retain & Grow haircare method. These styles give the best results. Feel free to modify based on your preferences but your results will not be the same.
Step two: Cleanse & Strengthen
Prepare your hair for the braid process by cleansing, strengthening and moisturizing. Cleanse your hair and scalp with a non sulfate shampoo or cleanser.
Protect your hair strands from the braiding process by giving yourself a hard protein treatment.The aphogee 2 step protein treatment is recommended please follow manufacturers instructions. Whichever protein treatment you choose be sure it has hydrolyzed keratin protein listed in the top three ingredients and that you sit under a hooded dryer to ensure that the protein adheres to your hair strands. This step will keep you from getting additional breakage from the braids or extensions.
Follow all protein treatments with a deep moisturizing conditioner.
After deep conditioning apply a leave in conditioner and proceed with your braided style. Do not use a blow dryer or flat iron before braiding hair.
Prepare your hair for the braid process by cleansing, strengthening and moisturizing. Cleanse your hair and scalp with a non sulfate shampoo or cleanser.
Protect your hair strands from the braiding process by giving yourself a hard protein treatment.The aphogee 2 step protein treatment is recommended please follow manufacturers instructions. Whichever protein treatment you choose be sure it has hydrolyzed keratin protein listed in the top three ingredients and that you sit under a hooded dryer to ensure that the protein adheres to your hair strands. This step will keep you from getting additional breakage from the braids or extensions.
Follow all protein treatments with a deep moisturizing conditioner.
After deep conditioning apply a leave in conditioner and proceed with your braided style. Do not use a blow dryer or flat iron before braiding hair.
Step three: The braid process
As you braid your hair, you will need to coat each piece of your natural hair with a good quality shea butter before adding the hair extension. This should be done section by section. The shea butter will keep your hair lubricated and moisturized while being covered with the hair extensions.
Braid extension tips:
Never braid your hair in micro sections when applying extensions. Never use a thick piece of extension hair on a small piece of your hair. If you choose large braids do not make them longer than 20 inches. Never pull your individual braid extensions back tightly or in the same direction daily. When possible stay away from colored extensions because they have higher amounts of chemicals on them which dry your natural hair out.
Step four: Scalp care while your hair is braided in extensions.
Cleanse your scalp and hair once a week, this is a must for maximum growth results
Lightly spray your braids with a conditioning braid spray, twice a week.
Apply natural oils to your scalp daily http://hairnfaith.blogspot.com/2012/10/oiling-your-scalp-daily-makes-black.html and gently massage for 5 minutes (use a timer)
As you braid your hair, you will need to coat each piece of your natural hair with a good quality shea butter before adding the hair extension. This should be done section by section. The shea butter will keep your hair lubricated and moisturized while being covered with the hair extensions.
Braid extension tips:
Never braid your hair in micro sections when applying extensions. Never use a thick piece of extension hair on a small piece of your hair. If you choose large braids do not make them longer than 20 inches. Never pull your individual braid extensions back tightly or in the same direction daily. When possible stay away from colored extensions because they have higher amounts of chemicals on them which dry your natural hair out.
Step four: Scalp care while your hair is braided in extensions.
Cleanse your scalp and hair once a week, this is a must for maximum growth results
Lightly spray your braids with a conditioning braid spray, twice a week.
Apply natural oils to your scalp daily http://hairnfaith.blogspot.com/2012/10/oiling-your-scalp-daily-makes-black.html and gently massage for 5 minutes (use a timer)
Step five: Braids take down
Do not leave braids in longer than the recommend time. Calendar in your take down day and take your time with the process. Once you have removed all the extension hair apply a thick conditioner and let it sit for 7 minutes. Then proceed to separate or untangle your hair with your fingers. Removing any shed hairs, lint and tangles as you go. Untangle your hair with your fingers before using a comb. When you do use a comb, untangle with a seamless comb to eliminate breakage. Once you are confident that all your tangles are removed then proceed with your shampoo and deep condition process. Save all you shed hair, so you can examine how much hair you lost each braid session. Put it in an envelope and date it. Allow your hair to rest for at least one week before braiding again. Before braiding your hair again examine the strength of your hair and any breakage. Did it retain moisture after your wash and deep condition? Does it feel fragile when you pull it a little or shed a lot when you comb it? If so then give your hair another hard protein treatment and deep conditioning treatment before your braid your hair again. If you feel your hair is strong enough and not breaking then you can skip the hard protein step this time around but the next round of braids you will need to apply another hard protein treatment. Follow the steps all over again and keep doing this method until you reach your desired length or hair goal.
Do not leave braids in longer than the recommend time. Calendar in your take down day and take your time with the process. Once you have removed all the extension hair apply a thick conditioner and let it sit for 7 minutes. Then proceed to separate or untangle your hair with your fingers. Removing any shed hairs, lint and tangles as you go. Untangle your hair with your fingers before using a comb. When you do use a comb, untangle with a seamless comb to eliminate breakage. Once you are confident that all your tangles are removed then proceed with your shampoo and deep condition process. Save all you shed hair, so you can examine how much hair you lost each braid session. Put it in an envelope and date it. Allow your hair to rest for at least one week before braiding again. Before braiding your hair again examine the strength of your hair and any breakage. Did it retain moisture after your wash and deep condition? Does it feel fragile when you pull it a little or shed a lot when you comb it? If so then give your hair another hard protein treatment and deep conditioning treatment before your braid your hair again. If you feel your hair is strong enough and not breaking then you can skip the hard protein step this time around but the next round of braids you will need to apply another hard protein treatment. Follow the steps all over again and keep doing this method until you reach your desired length or hair goal.