How to relieve tight braids and treat braid bumps?

Braids are many Naturalista’s go-to protective hairstyle. They’re are practical and you can literally wear them for every occasion including weddings, birthdays, holidays and everyday wear etc. With so many braid types on the market i.e. knotless, box braids, french curl braids etc and countless styling options. It’s no surprise they’re a favourite in the natural hair community. However, if not done correctly and braided too tightly to your scalp then you can experience braid bumps which are super uncomfortable but also damaging to your natural hair.

Have you ever experience any of the following…

• Got your braids done and struggled to get them up in a ponytail because of the tightness? 
• Felt the braids pulling on your edges and hairline? 
• Experienced headaches during the first couple of days of getting your braids done? 
• Struggled to sleep on your braids because it hurts? 

All the above are all signs of your braids being too tight. And even though braids should be attached closely to your scalp – it shouldn’t cause you discomfort. A protective style is meant to protect your hair not cause it further strain or damage. We’ll be covering everything you need to know about the causes of braid bumps, how to treat them plus tips on how to care for your scalp whilst wearing braids.

Why do I get braid bumps when my hair is braided?

The main cause of braid bumps are because your braids are too tight. Braiding your hair tightly causes tension to your hair follicles and scalp leading to inflammation. You’ll start to see little red or white bumps on your scalp which are itchy and irritable, specifically around your hairline or the nape of your hair. 

These bumps are caused by damage to your hair follicles and are typically known as tension bumps or scalp folliculitis. Once damaged, your scalp will become vulnerable to a fungal or bacterial infection. This might be frightening to some but the good news is these bumps aren’t contagious. But it’s important to  treat them straight away to minimise it from spreading to other areas of your scalp.

Although, tight braids are the main cause. You may experience braid bumps from other factors such as

• Having a sensitive scalp
• Irritation from chemicals from the braiding hair
• Styling your hair too tightly 
• Product build up
• Your scalp is prone to dandruff

How to treat and get rid of braid bumps? 

It’s inevitable that you’ll experience braid bumps whilst wearing braids. Especially if braids are a regular part of your protective styling routine. The key is to treat them as soon as they appear to stop them from getting worse. Here are 5 things you can do to treat and get rid of braid bumps straight away.

1. Release the tension along your hairline.

It’s likely you’re experiencing the most tension around your hairline. Hairstylists tend to grip that part of your hair tightly due to the shortness of length and to stop the braids from falling out. If you’re confident with braiding your own hair then it’s best to take them out and re-do them. If you’re not confident then there’s no harm going back to your stylist and getting them to re-do it. To minimise tension in the future, speak up at your hair appointment and let your stylist know you experience bumps and don’t want the braids too tight. If they don’t listen then it’s worth trying another stylist who actually cares about your hair health as opposed to just the end look.

2. Avoid putting your braids in a high ponytail or bun

One of the reasons why braids are so appealing is because you can style them in many ways. Unfortunately, some of our favourite styles can lead to tension on the hairline eventually leading to bumps. You want to avoid putting your hair in a high tight ponytail or bun. Although the style looks great it could be adding more damage to your hair follicles, especially if you constantly have it up. Braids are heavier compared to your natural hair, having it up all the time pulls and tugs on your scalp leading to damage. Let your scalp breathe and have them down. If you really want to have it up then tie it loosely to minimise tension. You can always opt for human braiding hair which is lighter in comparison to synthetic but does come at a cost. 

3. Massage the area with a lightweight oil. 

Scalp massages will provide immediate pain relief and increase the blood circulation in the area. Massages are known to be soothing and good for alleviating tension. The key is to use a lightweight oil that will minimise build up but is also moisturising. Oils such as tea tree, peppermint and rosemary are known for aiding inflammation. They also have antiseptic or antimicrobial properties which can be used to treat the bumps and prevent them from getting worse.

4. Try an antibacterial ointment

You can purchase over the counter ointments which have been specifically created to treat folliculitis. These ointments have antibiotics which will treat bacteria and fungus quickly. Be sure to follow the instructions to ensure correct use and if you’re not sure on what product to purchase then speak to a pharmacist who will help diagnose the problem and find the best solution for you.

5. Loosen braids 

Loosening the braids is a great way of reducing the tension if you don’t want to completely remove the braids. You can do this by running the braids under warm water or using a steamer. This will open up the pores of your scalp whilst helping the braids to loosen. If you’re worried about your braids becoming frizzy, apply a mousse with a strong hold to keep them intact. 

If all the above fail then it’s best to take the braids out! Although this is annoying, your hair health and scalp is more important. It’ll be frustrating in the short-term but in the long run you’ll be happy. A protective style is meant to aid hair retention and not damage it. 

7 Tips for caring for your scalp whilst wearing braids to minimise braid bumps

It’s easy to neglect your hair routine whilst wearing protective styles. You won’t need to follow all the steps in your normal routine but it’s good to create one dependant on your hairstyle. Here are some tips to help you care for your scalp and hair whilst wearing braids.

1. Wash your braiding hair

Washing your braiding hair is a good way of getting rid of the chemicals that may be in the extensions prior to installation. Extensions are made in factories across the world and can be hard to trace back to its country of origin and know exactly how the hair was prepared. A great way to clarify your braids is by doing an apple cider vinegar rinse. Dilute 1 cup of apple cider vinegar with 3 parts of warm or hot water and apply onto the braiding hair for at least 20 mins. Once 20 mins is up, rinse out thoroughly and let it air dry. If you’re someone who has a sensitive scalp then it’s even more important to follow this step.

2. Don’t neglect your cleansing and moisturising routine

Although your natural hair is braided up and protected, you should still cleanse and moisturise your hair. It might feel like a time consuming exercise but the goal is to keep your scalp and hair healthy whilst wearing braids to prevent damage when it’s time to remove them. Here are some steps to follow;

• Step 1 – Dilute shampoo with water into a spray bottle or a bottle with a nozzle. Spray onto your scalp and use your fingers to massage the product through. Make sure you’re focussing on your scalp to remove any product build up.
• Step 2 – Rinse shampoo out and apply conditioner. When rinsing, ensure all product used has been rinsed out thoroughly
• Step 3 – Towel dry braids and air dry. You can always sit under a hooded dryer or blow dryer with a hooded bonnet attachment to make sure the roots dry and air dry the rest. The key here is to make sure braids are completely dry so it doesn’t have a mouldy damp smell. 
• Step 4 – Follow up with a leave in conditioner or moisturiser and seal with an oil
• Step 5 – Apply a mousse with strong hold if your worried about frizz

If you’re not a fan of mixing shampoos and want to use a product which is easy to apply to your scalp with minimal mess. Then try some of our fav products which are known for removing product build up whilst keeping your scalp fresh and clean!

1. African Pride Black Castor Miracle Braid & Scalp Cleansing Rinse
2. Taliah Waajid Protective Styles Bamboo & Coconut Milk Shampoo
3. Alikay Naturals Moisturizing Black Shampoo
4. dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse

The tutorial below shows you how to your hair in braids whilst minimising frizz.

3. Keep an eye out for product build up

You’re likely to have more build up than usual at the roots of your braids and edges. You’re probably using more edge control than usual and oiling your scalp regularly. If you notice build up and it’s not quite time for wash day. You can always cleanse the areas you’re experiencing build up to prevent it from getting worse. Get some cotton wool pads and dip it in warm or hot water, then rub it on your scalp to remove excess dirt and oil. You can always add a couple drops of shampoo into the water but make sure you follow up with another cotton pad with warm water to remove the shampoo from your scalp. Eliminating it straight away will prevent it from getting trapped under the roots of your hair and entwined with the braids. 

4. Don’t wear your braids for too long

Aim to keep your hair in braids for no longer than 8 – 10 weeks. If you decide to opt for slightly longer, make sure you’re keeping up with your hair maintenance routine. As your natural hair grows, your braids will naturally loosen and if you’re not careful you can end up pulling or tugging on your hair when styling which could lead to breakage. 

5. Avoid scratching your scalp

If you wear braids regularly then you’ll experience itchiness from time to time. You might have the urge to scratch your scalp but this could lead to further irritation. It’s best to massage the area with an oil or eliminate the cause of the itchiness by washing your hair. There isn’t one factor alone that causes itchiness but the main reasons are product build up, trapped dead skin cells and dry scalp. 

6. Keep an eye out for braids on around your hairline

The braids around your hairline tend to have the most tension causing bumps and irritation. It’s important to keep a close eye on this area so it doesn’t cause any damage. Braids around the hairline are prone to breakage and If you’re not careful could lead to traction alopecia. Re-do the braids If your braids are starting to feel uncomfortable or causing irritation due to tightness or being in for too long.

7. Don’t forget your night time routine

Don’t neglect your night time routine because you’re wearing braids. Sleeping with a satin or silk bonnet will help your braids stay fresher for longer but also help your hair strands to retain moisture. Watch the tutorial below for 2 ways to sleep with your braids.

FAQ’s re: Caring for Braids

1: What not to do when you take out your braids?

When taking out your braids, PATIENCE is key! Don’t be heavy handed with the process and take your time to loosen them. Don’t rip the braids out of your hair and if you experience any tangles or knots. You can use a detangler or conditioner with a lot of slip to help loosen them. Prior to washing your hair, you want to ensure your hair is fully detangled so it doesn’t loc up. Finger detangle first and then follow up with a wide tooth comb or flexi brush. After washing, do a deep conditioning treatment to get moisture and nutrients back into your hair strands.

2: Why am I losing hair after taking out my braids?

Your hair sheds between 50 – 100 hairs per day. As your hair is in braids during a duration of 8 weeks or more, all your shed hair is trapped in your braids. So naturally you’ll experience more hair loss because the shed hairs had no wear to go. In extreme cases, you are losing hair because of breakage from not properly caring for your braids whilst wearing them. 

3: How long should I keep my braids in? 

The recommendation is 8 weeks. If you want to keep them in for slightly longer then don’t go past 10 – 12 weeks. You should never braid your hair back to back and have a break in between to give your natural hair time to breathe and recover.

4: Will my hair grow back after tight braids?

Yes – your hair will grow back with proper care. You’ll need to utilise a hair growth oil to aid hair growth and massage your scalp regularly to increase blood circulation. Be careful not to put strain on your hair follicles when trying to grow it back as your hair is fragile. Opt for protective styles that need minimal maintenance and keep up with your natural hair routine.

NOTE – If you have traction alopecia as a result of constantly getting tight braids then it’s unlikely your hair will not grow back. 

Final Thoughts

If you experience braid bumps there’s no need to panic. There are a variety of ways to treat and get rid of them without them causing further damage to your hair. Prevention is better than cure in these scenario’s so find a stylist who cares about your scalp and hair health. Don’t be afraid to speak up at appointments if they feel too tight. There’s no harm trying a new stylist, ask family and friends for recommendations if you feel you’re not being listened too. Make you have a maintenance routine whilst wearing your braids and don’t forget to cleanse your scalp regularly to minimise build up.

How do you care for your braids? And what additional tips do you have?

Read our latest post on how braids contribute to hair growth and length retention.