Braids, twists and locs are low-maintenance styles, but your scalp still needs attention while you wear them. A dry, itchy scalp under braids is one of the most common complaints, and the usual fix (squeezing oil out of a bottle and rubbing it in with your fingers) tends to leave oil on your hairline, your hands and your pillowcase instead of on your scalp.
Here is a simple routine that gets the oil where it belongs.
1. Pick a light oil
Under braids you want an oil that spreads easily and does not build up. Lighter oils such as jojoba, grapeseed or sweet almond, or a ready-made scalp oil blend, are easier to work in than heavy butters. If you love a thicker oil, mix it with a lighter one.
2. Apply to the parts, not the braids
Your scalp is between the braids, along each part. Work section by section and apply a small amount directly to the parts. You do not need to saturate the braids themselves.
3. Use an applicator instead of your fingers
A nozzle bottle or an applicator comb puts the oil right on the scalp. The Stranda Scalp Massager & Oil Applicator has a refillable 6ml tank that releases oil through its comb teeth as you glide it along your parts, so your hands stay clean and you use less product.
4. Massage it in
Spend 3 to 5 minutes gently massaging the scalp. Massage helps spread the oil evenly and feels great, especially if your braids are fresh and tight. Stranda's gentle vibration does this part for you.
5. Keep it light and consistent
Two to three times a week is plenty for most people. Too much oil can lead to buildup, so a little, often, beats a lot, rarely.
Quick checklist
- Light oil, or a light blend
- Apply along the parts, section by section
- Applicator over fingers
- 3 to 5 minutes of massage
- 2 to 3 times a week
Want the mess-free version of this routine? Try Stranda, covered by our 14-Day Happiness Promise.