By Tia of Angel’s Ringlets
Late night workouts. The 9:00pm co-wash. After hours skinny dip (I have yet to try–but it’s still on my list). Whatever the reason is, at some point, we’ve all had to deal with a damp/wet braidout in the morning. For me, I leave the gym at 9:30pm sometimes (why is this the only time out of the day that I can squeeze in time to take care of myself)?
So I jump in the shower by 10-10:15pm, and co-wash or just rinse my hair with water. Detangle as needed.
Steps that I take in order to avoid having a wet or damp braidout in the morning:
HOW DO YOU GET YOUR LATE NIGHT PLAITS TO DRY FOR A MORNING BRAIDOUT?
Please Note: A major factor in the drying process is the hair’s POROSITY. Low porosity hair usually has a problem drying in a timely manner. Moisture is difficult to impart into the hair shaft, and once it is–it takes a long time to dry. High porosity dries up really quick–a different kind of problem. Adjust your hair routine and products based on your hair’s needs.
Tia writes for Angel’s Ringlets, a natural hair blog that experiments with 3 different curl patterns, and shares findings. The ultimate goal is mastering any hair-type and eliminating the guess work.
I have found a blow dryer that has a cold setting (not referring to cold shot)and I’m able to dry my hair with it. I love it. I dry my hair with NO HEAT. This awesome blowdryer is called Babyliss Portofino Pro 6600. It has 6 settings including no heat (aka “cold”) which is perfect for my natural hair. I’ve been looking forever for a blowdryer that can blow natural hair without heat and this is the one for me. My hair is soft and shiny and controlled…awesome product. Here is a link for their product: http://www.babylissus.com/product.php?pcID=206_153&product_id=132 They sell it… Read more »
I have to use cool setting on my blow dryer. Air drying does not go well with my hair. It is coily, but it still knots up. But I am trying to get a decent braid or twist out.
The babyliss dryer looks like a good one. I wonder if it would even better with a diffuser attachment ? That would be a good healthier non damaging way to dry hair without harsh heat, especially for those where air drying doesn’t work or it takes too long.
You are right…I forgot to mention it comes with an awesome diffuser and 3 different sized concentrators
So glad I have fine low density hair when it comes to dry time. My hair can dry overnight if I wash at 10pm and be up and gone out the door at 6am. Now the trade off is low volumne hair. I don’t see no one be moaning thick hair lol.
I would do it on a non wash day, and make sure I don’t moisturize and seal or put gel or anything beforehand. Or, I’d braid my hair immediately after washing and conditioning with NO leave ins beforehand.
[…] Once I take down the braidout, I assess if any additional blow drying is needed. The video below shows exactly how I (sometimes) add the finishing touches to my resulting braidout. This process ensures a frizz resistant braidout that will do minimal “rising”. This braidout will keep definition and will hang lower than a braidout that did not have an opportunity to dry fully. No More Wet Braidouts! 6 Tips for Getting Your Braidout to Dry In Time | Black Girl with Long Hair. […]
Wet braidouts is really a common problem by some women. It can cause discomfort and bad hair day. Your drying tips will be very helpful for them. I agree that the thicker products are used in hair the harder that the hair will dry that soon.
LOL if i let my hair air dry I will have ridic shrinkage. I mean I’ll look like I did the big chop a few months ago. The knotting is no joke. This article is nice tho. I wish this would apply to me. However it takes my hair 2 days to be fully dry (in braids) so I have days in the week where my hair is just under wraps.
NVM i just read the banding thing. Hmm.. might try it out
I just sit in front of a fan dries in about 1- 2 hours ..then i’m out…lol
I love this post. Thank you for sharing
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I can’t seem to find the video o.O
Do you experience dry hair (esp) in the winter when you use this method? If you do not add any products oil, butters seems like the braid out would be dry? Or do you add oils after you take the braids out? Doe it absorb?