A Handy Guide to Knotless Box Braids
If you're a frequent wearer of braids and other protective styles, then there's a good chance you've already joined the ever-growing knotless box braids fan club — but if you haven't, there are a few things worth knowing about the popular, low-tension alternative to box braids, starting with what they are and what really differentiates them from other braided hairstyles anyway.
Before you book your first appointment, we spoke to hairstylist Annagjid “Kee” Taylor, who told us everything you should know about getting knotless box braids. Read ahead to see what she had to say.
What are knotless box braids?
Knotless box braids are similar to traditional box braids in that both are protective styles that can be worn for weeks at a time in order to tuck away the ends of the hair and keep manipulation at a minimum. The major difference between the two styles, though, is that knotless braids have a smoother appearance at the base of the braid.
"The braids lie flatter in different styles, including ponytails, buns, and updos, because they appear less thick," Taylor says. "Box braids are tightly knotted at the root, which increases tension on the scalp and edges."
Knotless braids are typically installed using a feed-in technique: the braid begins with your natural hair being plaited from the root with extensions slowly added to the braid as it gets longer, where as traditional box braids feature an extension being knotted around your natural hair at the root — hence why these have been given the "knotless" identifier.
How much do knotless box braids cost?
That's dependent on a few different things, including the length and thickness of the braids and also who you entrust to do the job. Knotless braids can be installed in small, medium, large, and jumbo sizes, and can be mid-back length, waist length, or butt length. The smaller and/or longer they are, the more they might cost. Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere between $200 and $600 for knotless braids.
How long do knotless box braids last?
Since braids in general are considered low-maintenance protective styles, you can keep knotless braids in for as long as you feel necessary to give your natural hair a break, though Taylor doesn't recommend keeping them for longer than two months.
"After that, you may jeopardize [the health of] your natural hair due to product build up or scalp and hair tension," she says.
This may also be dependent on the amount of product buildup or new hair growth you've acquired in the weeks following your install, though many people tend to remove theirs at around four to six weeks.
How should knotless box braids be maintained?
Even though braids are a convenient way to save time on styling, they should still be taken care of regularly so that your hair inside the extensions doesn't suffer. "You should wash your hair at least once a week to prevent product buildup," Taylor says. "If you’re washing, make sure to dry properly to avoid bacteria growth, and if not, make sure you’re using dry shampoo to extend the longevity of the style."
She recommends using a sulfate-free shampoo with a nozzle that allows you to apply the product directly to the scalp, and following up with a moisturizer.
"You should also moisturize your scalp, to prevent breakage, and dandruff," she says. "The Deeper Than Hair First Class to Jamaica Black Castor Oil is great for moisture, promoting hair growth, and preventing split ends."
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