How to Loosen Tight Braids

Get relief from tightness and pain in your braids by following these easy steps

Co-authored by Ndeye Anta Niang and Amber Crain

Last Updated: March 3, 2023 Approved

If you've ever experienced the pain of too-tight braids, you've likely wondered how to loosen them without ruining your hairstyle. You can get instant relief by loosening your braids with a pencil, applying leave-in conditioner to your roots, or applying a specially formulated braid spray. Moist heat and daily scalp massages with oil will also help. To prevent braid tension in the future, communicate openly with your stylist when you're feeling pain. Keep in mind that braids that are too tight can lead to hair thinning and breakage as well as a type of hair loss called traction alopecia.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Loosening Braids Immediately

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1
Use the thin handle of a comb to decrease tension at the scalp. Slip the thin end of a long-handled fine-tooth comb underneath cornrows or tight braids to get some relief. You could also use the blunt end of a skewer or the eraser end of a pencil. Gently wiggle the eraser, skewer, or handle to loosen the braid at the scalp. Be careful and take your time so as not to ruin your braids.^{[1]
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- Keep in mind that the braids will loosen up on their own over time.
2
Spray a leave-in conditioner at the base of the braids. Adding a leave-in conditioner to your dry braids can reduce their tension and tightness. Lightly mist your scalp with leave-in conditioner and use your fingers to gently work the conditioner into your scalp and braids.
- Alternatively, you could spray cold water onto your scalp for instant relief.
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3
Use a braid spray to soften and loosen your hair. If you get your hair braided often, invest in a specially formulated braid spray to soften your hair and soothe your scalp. You can pick up these sprays at salons and stores that sell specialty beauty products. Spritz the braid spray on your scalp to prevent itching and lubricate your braids, which will soften and loosen them.^{[2]
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- Look for soothing sprays made with aloe vera, tea tree oil, sulfur, or lavender oil.
- Use this spray when you're getting ready in the morning and throughout the day as needed to reduce tension caused by tight braids.
4
Massage your scalp with oil every day for 1 to 2 minutes. While you have braids in, it's important to do daily scalp massages with oil. Use 1 tbsp (14.8 mL) of a pure, natural oil like avocado, castor, coconut, jojoba, or almond oil. Apply the oil to your scalp, then massage it in with your fingers using gentle, circular motions. Do this for 1 to 2 minutes each day.^{[3]
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- Try adding a few drops of essential oil to the oil you choose to scent and refresh your scalp. Peppermint essential oil can help with scalp itchiness, so consider using that for your daily scalp massages.
EXPERT TIP

Over-the-counter medicines like Tylenol, Advil, and Aleve can all help with pain from tight braids.

Ndeye Anta Niang
Hair Stylist & Master Braider
Ndeye Anta Niang is a Hair Stylist, Master Braider, and Founder of AntaBraids, a traveling braiding service based in New York City. Ndeye has over 20 years of experience in African hair including braiding box braids, Senegalese twists, crochet braids, faux dread locs, goddess locs, kinky twists, and lakhass braids. Ndeye was the first female of her tribe in Africa to move to America and is now sharing her knowledge of African braids passed on from generation to generation.

Ndeye Anta Niang
Hair Stylist & Master Braider

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Moist Heat to Loosen Braids

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1
Take a warm shower to increase your hair's elasticity. Warm water will open up your hair shafts, making your braids looser and more elastic. Jump into a warm shower and allow the water to run over your scalp and through your braids. Rub your scalp gently at the base of the braids as the warm water falls over them to encourage loosening. Avoid being rough with your braids.
- After getting out of the shower, use a towel to remove excess water from your hair by gently patting your braids.
- If your hair is naturally curly, wetting the braids may cause frizziness.
2
Use a hair steamer to loosen your braids. You can pick up a hair steamer at your local beauty shop, or visit the salon and use theirs. Set up the hair steamer, then sit under it. Direct the steam at your braids, concentrating on the places you are feeling the most tension. Sit under the hair steamer in 10-minute sessions, with short breaks in between, until your braids feel better.
- You can apply a deep-conditioner to your scalp before sitting under the steamer to increase the relief.
Applying moist heat directly to your braids will increase their elasticity and relieve tension. First, wet a towel with warm water. Wring out the excess moisture, then gently wrap the towel around your head like a turban. Leave your hair under the towel for an hour before removing it.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Preventing Tight Braids

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Don't be afraid to tell your stylist that your braids are too tight! As a paying customer, you should be comfortable with your style, so speak up as soon as you notice the braids are too tight. Don't wait until the stylist completes all of your braids -- inform them right away so they can correct the problem.^{[4]
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2
Avoid returning to a stylist that consistently braids too tightly. One comment to a stylist is all it should take to get them to loosen up their braiding style. If you inform your stylist that the braids are too tight but it continues to be a problem, don't return to that person for future braids. Research other stylists in the area and book an appointment with someone new.^{[5]
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- Look for customer reviews of the stylist you have in mind to see what others are saying about their techniques.
3
Avoid updos for several days after getting new braids. Putting your braids up on top of your head in a bun or other updos can increase tightness, especially right after you've had them done. After getting your hair braided, wear it down for a couple of days to avoid added tension on your scalp.
- Try letting your braids hang loosely around your shoulders.
- If you want them out of your face, tie your braids back gently in a low ponytail. Use a loose hair tie made of fabric and avoid rubber bands.
Though you may have spent a hefty chunk of change getting your hair braided, if they are way too tight and are causing you pain, the best solution is to remove them. You can take them out yourself or go back to the hair salon and ask your stylist to take them out. Let your stylist know that they are too tight and are causing you pain.^{[6]
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Question

What are tight braids called?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

The tightest braids are usually cornrows, which are small, and tightened at the scalp. But any type of braid, especially french-style braids can be pulled too tight.

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How long are you supposed to keep in box braids?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

I would recommend taking them out every 4-6 weeks. This will prevent them from becoming weighed down by loose hair or creating tension at the scalp by pulling on hair unevenly.

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Can tight braids cause hair loss?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Continuously wearing tight braids can cause hair to pull lose or break. The good news is that this loss isn't permanent. Stop wearing the tight braids and it should grow back completely.

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Warnings

Running water through your braids may cause you to need to get them redone sooner.

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Braids that are too tight can cause a certain kind of hair loss called traction alopecia. Talk to your stylist if you have concerns about this issue.^{[7]
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