If you have ever found yourself wondering do braids help hair growth, you are not alone. With Afro hair, protective styles like braids are part of our everyday lives. But can braids actually help your hair grow, or is that just a popular myth?

The short answer is yes, but with a few important things to note. In this post, we will break down all the details about braids and hair growth.

Plus, if you're searching for braids near me, check out our list of top braiders in London ready to help you grow healthy, strong hair.

Can Braids Help Hair Growth?

Let us start by clearing something up. Braids do not directly make your hair grow. Hair growth starts from within the scalp, and that process is influenced by many factors such as genetics, hormones, diet, and overall health. What braids can do, though, is help create the right conditions to help your hair grow longer and stay healthy.

Braids are a protective style, which means they protect your natural hair from daily wear and tear. When your hair is tucked away in braids, it is not being manipulated or exposed to heat, friction or harsh weather. Therefore, there are fewer chances of breakage and split ends. As most of us have probably experienced, breakage is one of the main culprits to making it feel like your hair is not growing, even when it is.

So while braids do not magically grow your hair overnight, they do help retain the growth your hair is already achieving. And in the world of natural hair, retention is everything.

How Do Braids Help Hair Growth?

Now that we've gotten to the bottom of whether braids help hair growth, let's take a look at how exactly braids help your hair grow.

1. Low Manipulation

Every time you comb, brush or style your hair, you risk some level of breakage. Afro hair, especially when dry, can be delicate and prone to snapping. Braids reduce the need for daily styling, giving your hair a much-needed break. With less tension from tools and less pressure from styling, your hair can grow in peace.

2. Ends Are Protected

Your ends are the oldest and most fragile part of your hair. Braids help by tucking your ends away and shielding them from damage caused by rubbing against clothing, weather exposure and over-handling.

3. Moisture Retention

Keeping Afro hair moisturised is key to preventing breakage. Once braided, it is easier to lock in moisture by using leave-in conditioners or hydrating sprays. Since the hair is tucked away, moisture stays in for longer, keeping your strands strong and nourished.

4. Encourages Length Retention

With less breakage and more moisture, your hair has a better chance of staying healthy from root to tip. This helps you keep the length you are growing, and that is what really makes it feel like your hair is finally growing longer.

What to Keep in Mind When Wearing Braids

Here are some things you should remember whilst wearing braids, to keep your hair healthy:

• Don’t braid too tight: Tight braids might look neat but they can damage your edges and cause tension alopecia. Always communicate with your stylist and speak up if it feels too tight. Check out our post on 'Are my braids too tight?' to find out what signs indicate your braids are too tight.
• Don’t leave them in too long: Four to six weeks is usually the ideal time for most braided styles. Leaving braids in for too long can lead to product buildup and damage to your natural hair. For more info check out our post on 'How long can I keep my braids in for?'
• Cleanse and moisturise regularly: Contrary to popular belief, you need to wash your braids. Your scalp still needs care even when braided. Use a gentle shampoo to keep your scalp clean, lightweight oils to moisturise your scalp and leave-in conditioners or sprays to keep your hair moisturised. Check out our post on how to wash braids for more info.
• Give your hair a break: After taking out braids, allow your hair some breathing time before your next protective style. This gives your scalp a chance to recover and your hair to breathe.

When done right, braids are one of the best ways to support healthy hair growth. They keep your strands protected, help retain moisture, reduce breakage and allow your hair to thrive. But remember, it is all about balance. Protective styling only works if you’re also maintaining your scalp health, giving your hair the TLC it needs and remembering to give your hair a break.

Braids are a great low-maintenance style to support your hair journey and what's even better is that there are many braid styles you can choose from. Whether you're into box braids or goddess braids, there's a style to suit everyone's personality and life. If you're ready to get your braids done, you can find the best Afro hairdressers for braids here.