Caring for your braids People tend to think that the moment they put braids extensions in  their hair . It will automatically grow their hair and they don't have to do any thing else.  Truth is,  this is the best time to take care of your hair naturally and still  wear extensions. It's pointless to wear braids for 3 months only to realize that the situation and condition of your hair is  more or less the same if not worst, especially if the motive for braiding is to improve the  overall well being of your hair and to take a break from all forms of hair chemicals. I suggest the following steps to a healthy  braids wearing  and  to achieve happiness/satisfaction  once the braids are out. 1: Chemicals -Avoid applying Individual extensions/braids in your hair at least until after 2 weeks of any chemical input.  Sometimes braiders  will tell you that relaxing your hair  just before braiding will make your braids neater and more presentable.  Truth is the neatness of your braids depends on how good the braider is at parting the hair and more often than not, the length of your own hair. Very short hair tend to come out of braids whilst longer hair stay put. 2 :  Before braiding - Deep condition your hair  a day before  applying the extensions. Continue to deep condition your hair even when you have the braids  in  at least once in 2 weeks .  I suggest you use a conditioner that is rich in protein. Use  an equal proportion of shea butter and coconut oil as deep conditioner. (I have these products available too). If your hair is strong, though/hard I suggest you stick to the same regimen as mine. I have vowed never to do without these two ingredients in my beauty regimen and that includes my body/skin I am  staying strictly to shea butter because of it's moisturizing properties.  Deep condition your hair for about 1 hour ( i normally stay longer, I deep condition when I have no where to go so there's no hurry). Concentrates more on the root/scalp of the braids than the body it self.  Always remember that if the foundation is weak the building will collapse . 3: Washing/shampooing - Wash your braids once in 2 weeks. This is very good for your hair as it allows your hair to rest from the chemical contents in shampoos even though some shampoo products say they have little chemical contents, my advice is,  it's better to be safe than sorry. Washing your braids every two weeks will allow the braids to retain it's strength and  reduce early rough appearance. I must say that braids is one of the very few hair styles that even when it's rough it's still beautiful. Buy a cheap old shampoo if you must as braid extensions gulp lots of it before it lathers. 4: Coconut oil usage as hair nutrient dates back as far as the beginning of the black race in Ile-ife( the origin of black nation). Coconut oil helps softens  yet strengthen and promotes your under growth. It also promotes hair growth. Coconut oil  is  as strong and solid as coconut itself. An African proverb goes thus "  Any one who breaks a coconut with his/her head will not be among the people that will eat it " That adage is to show the extent of the power of coconut, so imaging something as strong as that fighting for the benefit of your hair. The result is total success. Another great ingredient to have at hand during your braiding period is unrefined Shea Butter ( Coconut oil and shea butter are now available on our African Body Products page). This is the master of moisture and healthy groom. There are many fake shea butter out there, please beware. Never use refined shea butter, it's been chemically process. The Original Shea butter is cream in color and as often as many beauticians try to tell people that shea butter can come in many shades. It doesn't. I spent 27 yrs in West Africa and shea butter is a must have house old item over there. I grew up with shea butter and the color has never been  other than cream . The color is Cream. The smell cannot be explained, it's close to being odorless, yet it's not. It's not offensive at all. shea butter is all purpose moisturizer. Your skin will thank you and your hair will rejoice.  If you don't have coconut oil or shea butter use braid sprays such as African pride instead but get your hands on one of the ingredients above as soon as you can.  Always oil your scalp at least 3 times a week to retain moisture and prevent flaky scalps or dandruffs.