We all know how gorgeous braids look, so if you’ve just had yours done for the first time, slay! Stepping into the world of braids is exciting, but it can also feel a little overwhelming at first. If you’ve just got braids, here’s what I wish I’d known from the start. From scalp care to sleep routines and more, we’ll cover it all in this post.

Essential Braids Tips for Beginners

1. Moisturise your scalp

A healthy scalp is the foundation for healthy hair. To keep your natural hair thriving underneath your braids, make sure your scalp stays hydrated and moisturised. Apply a lightweight oil regularly to help prevent dryness and itchiness. Avoid heavy oils, as they can lead to product build-up and leave your scalp feeling greasy.

2. Moisturise your strands

Even though your natural hair is tucked away safely in your braids, it still needs looking after to remain healthy. Dry hair can lead to breakage, so it’s important to keep your strands nourished and hydrated. Use a hydrating spray or a leave-in conditioner along the length of your braids to keep them soft and strong.

3. Wash your braids

No matter how amazing your braids look, if your scalp isn’t clean, the style won’t be as protective as it should be. Washing helps to remove product build-up, excess oils, sweat and dirt.

But, how often should you wash them? That really depends on you. If you work out often you'll produce more sweat, if you have a drier scalp you may use lots of products, or you may have a naturally oilier scalp. All these factors mean you may need to wash your braids more frequently. The key is to listen to what your hair needs.

When washing your braids it's important to do it gently and patiently so you don't damage the braids. To find a step-by-step guide check out our post on how to wash braids.

4. Protect your braids before bed

When you go to sleep the friction against your hair and the pillow can cause frizz, tangles and moisture loss. To protect your hair from this, wrap your braids in a silk or satin scarf or wear a silk or satin bonnet before bed. You can also use silk pillowcases for extra protection in case your scarf or bonnet comes off. Check out our post on how to sleep with box braids to find a step-by-step guide to different ways you can wrap your braids.

5. Take them out at the right time

Leaving your braids in for too long can damage your hair. A protective style must be taken out at the right time to stay protective, which is usually around 4-6 weeks. It's also important to give your hair a chance to rest before diving into another style. Give your hair a break and let it breathe. To learn more, check out our post on 'How long can I keep my braids in for?'