
Box braids can be expensive.Īnd intense, long-term scalp tension can cause " traction alopecia ," which is a scientific term meaning potential permanent hair loss. The synthetic hair can be heat sealed at the root to keep the braids tightly set.ĭepending on the braiding skill, braid style, thickness, and amount of synthetic hair used, it can take anywhere between three to eight hours or more to braid box braids in a salon. The synthetic and human hair can be colored and woven to look more voluminous, elegant, and stylish as desired. And box braids are braided outward from the scalp and not against it like cornrow braids. The signature look of the box braid is the tightness of the weave.īox braids are braided so tightly that scalp tension is normal but should not be painfully discomforting. The hair against the scalp is sectioned into box-shaped patterns.Ī plait of synthetic hair, usually made of kanekalon, is usually tightly woven around the braids' scalp base and then interweaved into the braid. Box Braidsīox braids are a hyper-stylized variant of the simple braid. The classic braid is a utility hairstyle that is worn for hours or a day or two at most. And the end of each braid is tied off with a rubber band, ribbon, or a clip. It does not take a very long time to do simple braids. Then, section the hair into two or three separate strands, or "plaits."Īnd then you alternately weave each plait over another in a rope-like weaving pattern. You start by separating a section of hair at the scalp. The classic three-strand braid is the simplest kind of braid to style weave for children and adults.

To fully contextualize why knotless braids are so popular, we must first briefly describe the classic three-strand braid and the box braid style.
Knotless braids vs box braids how to#
Related: How to Interlock Dreadlocks What are Knotless Braids? Grooming your dreadlocks should not be a hassle.Īnd it should be done the all-natural organic way too! Only use Lion Locs organic dreadlock grooming products for your locs. And we are also going to explain that if you want the style of the knotless braid, you may as well try developing and grooming dreadlocks. We will notify you of the pros and cons of wearing knotless braids. So, we will tell you everything you need to know about knotless braids. Hair braiding as a natural hairstyle is undoubtedly a far older ancient practice.Īnd ancient dreadlocks may have been the bridge hairstyle to hair braiding, or vice versa. But "documented" and "invented" are two different things. Hair braiding is a natural African hairstyle, just like dreadlocks, that was first documented in ancient Egypt over 5,500 years ago. Knotless braids can resemble faux-locs when styled correctly.

Knotless braids don't require synthetic hair interlacing or cause scalp tension.Īnd knotless braids look natural and allow for more styling flexibility. The "knotless braid" hairstyle is just as popular, however. Box braids and similar braided hairstyles tend to create a lot of scalp tension that can't be relieved until the roots grow out and loosen. The box braid style, for example, requires braiding a tightened knot at the scalp base with synthetic hair that is then interlaced into the braid to make it look fuller. However, such expertly braided hairstyles must be interwoven tightly, which could potentially cause distress and hair damage, and hair damage, amongst other problems. Hairstyles like the "box braid" can be woven with synthetic hair interlacing so that the braids last for 60-days or more. That is the thing about styled and hair salon braids – experienced or certified hairstylists must braid them to last for months. There are cosmetology schools that entirely specialize in teaching students how to create dozens of kinds of braid styles. There are numerous variations and styles of the simple braid. Most young girls, and young hairstylists in general, master the art of braiding hair before moving on to learn more complex hairstyles or hair grooming regimens as they get older.Īnd mastering the braided hairstyle can be a complex thing to accomplish. It takes practice, skill, and craft to learn how to braid hair efficiently to tie up and braid and knot hair to resemble an aesthetically pleasing rope is not easy for the uninitiated.īraids can be compared to bridges because they are a style bridge for most young women to learn about hairstyling. But braiding hair requires complex hand and finger movements to accomplish the look successfully. The humble braided hairstyle looks simple enough.

A famous literary quote once stated that a girl without braids is like a city bereft of bridges.
