Sleeping without a protective cap
letting your cornrows stay waterlogged
Washing them too frequently
Using heavy products
Moisturize frequently:
Use a light spray bottle with water, leave-in conditioner, a few times a week. Apply a light oil directly to your scalp and along the braids to prevent dryness and flaking
Protect at night:
Cover your hair with a silk or satin scarf, bonnet, or pillowcase to minimize friction and frizz while you sleep.
Apply mousse:
Use a hair mousse to lay down flyaways and keep the style looking fresh. Refresh every couple of days, as needed, to avoid product buildup.
EBIN NEW YORK Braid Formula Setting Mousse
Shine 'N Jam Magic Fingers Setting Mousse
Wash in the right direction:
When washing, apply shampoo to the scalp in the direction of the cornrows and rub gently. Avoid washing in circular motions, which can cause frizz and loosen the braids.
Focus on buildup:
Use your fingertips or a cotton swab to gently clean along the parts where the cornrows begin to remove buildup.
Condition the ends:
Apply a small amount of conditioner to the ends of your hair, but avoid getting too much on the braids themselves.
Step 1: Gently squeeze out excess water
After washing, use a towel to gently pat and squeeze the water out of the cornrows.
Avoid rubbing, as this can cause frizz.
Step 2: Choose a drying method
Air-drying: Allow the cornrows to air-dry completely. This is the most natural method but takes the longest.
Blow dryer: Use a blow dryer on the cool or low setting to speed up the process.Keep the dryer moving and focus on getting the scalp and the base of the braids dry.
Hooded dryer: Sit under a hooded dryer to ensure even and thorough drying.
Step 3: Check for complete dryness
Run your fingers along each braid and the ends, and gently squeeze the base to check for any moisture.
The cornrows are fully dry when no moisture comes out at all.
Step 4: Moisturize
Once the cornrows are completely dry, apply a light oil to your scalp and the parts to keep them moisturized and prevent dryness.
Limit wear time:
Cornrows are a protective style meant to be worn for a limited time, typically a few weeks. Don't keep them in for too long to prevent matting, breakage, and damage to your hair and scalp.
Give your hair a break:
It's recommended to take down your cornrows every four to six weeks. Before getting them redone, give your natural hair a break to breathe and recover.