Hey Hairgineers,

This marks the end of my Box Braids installation. I had it in for 6 weeks and 1 day (an extra week), below I share the benefit of protective styling, my new growth length check, product used for takeout, shed hair, and my final taught on Box Braids.

Benefits of Protective Styles:
1)    Protective Styles such as Box braids etc keeps our hair from the environmental stresses such as sun, wind and humidity.
2)    It helps reduce direct manipulation such as daily combing.
3)    It helps retain length thus achieving greater length.

It is important to take care of your natural hair while in box braids or any form of protective style as this might cause more harm than good if not taken care of properly, refer here and here to read how I took care of my hair while protective styling.

New growth length check:
From research, it has been established that the average hair growth is half an inch a month (some individual grow lesser, while some grow longer than this average length), unfortunately I fall into the category with the lesser hair growth, after 6 weeks of braids installation I had different hair growth at different part of my head, I had less than half an inch at some part and more on some others.



Product Used for Braid Removal:
Mane 'n Tail Detangler was used for the easy removal of my braids. This is supposed to help loosen up the matted part of my hair, thus preventing breakages. I spritzed this all over the section of my hair I was loosening at that moment then continued sectioning, spritzing and loosening.

Amount of Broken/Shed Hair:
This is the shed hair that had been held in the braids for 6 weeks and some broken strands while brushing. (seems a lot though loolz)

Detangler (Left), Hair Loss (Right)

I decided to do a hot oil treatment as Prepoo (Pre- Shampoo), as well as a protein treatment because I needed to strengthen my hair from the weight and stress of the extension; I added a little moisture conditioner to help with the moisture/protein balance. I also decided to do a tea rinse due to the amount of  shed hair; to help reduce hair shedding.

Prepoo Oils mix (middle)

Tea Rinse

Teas used for Tea Rinse

Products Used:
- Prepoo: Hot oil treatment of Castor Oil + Coconut oil
- Shampoo: Elasta QP-11 Crème Conditioning Shampoo
-Conditioner: Aubrey GPB Glycogen Protein Balancing Conditioner.
-Tea Rinse: HANS Premium Quality Green Tea + Rooibos Kilimanjaro Infusing Tea.
-Deep Conditioner: LeKair Cholesterol plus Strengthening and Conditioning Cream+ Crème of Nature Argon oil Intensive Conditioning Cream + Goya Olive oil + Jamaica Black Castor oil
-Leave-in: Herbal Essence Long term Relationship for Split end.
-Sealant: Jamaica Black Castor Oil.

I washed my hair in braids to prevent the ends from tangling.

Hair wash Crew

Washed my hair in Braids.

Final thoughts:
Protective styles are a must in a healthy hair journey,  I was able to retain some length due no manipulation of my natural hair. I am willing to keep incorporating this as I go along, but I have discovered a better and healthier way for the installation of braids and this is CROCHET BRAIDING, wondering what this is?, stay with me and I will tell you all about it soon or do some online research to find out about it.

Become my friend, I’ll like to hear from you on protective styling.

Hairgineer Oyk.