We all want to have beautiful, long lasting cornrows. But it can be hard to do them the right way!
How long do cornrows last? How long do they take?
Cornrows last for 1-4 weeks depending upon the hair texture and products used. It takes almost 2-3 hours to get cornrows.
Here is how cornrows can be done at home-
Cornrows
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Cornrows can last anywhere from one to four weeks. This depends on the products you use and how well you take care of them every day. It is best if you shampoo your hair a couple of times per week with a light, natural soap or an all-natural shampoo that doesn’t contain sulfates (sulfates are very drying). After shampooing, give your hair a deep condition. When you have finished the shampoo and conditioning routine, twist buttercream or gel into each braid to ensure that they keep their shape for longer periods of time.
How long does it take to get cornrows?
It can vary depending on how many sections there are of hair. It takes about two hours to cornrow the front and sides of the head, taking about a half-hour per section. It then takes another hour or so to braid at the back of your hair! To get cornrows that last two weeks takes about three hours. To do these yourself at home without assistance will take around five hours. To do these in a salon will take between two and four hours.
Steps to make cornrows yourself
- Separate your hair into sections using a rat tail comb
- Tie each section up with an elastic band at the base, and take it out once you finish braiding that individual cornrow. Don’t worry about spacing them as tightly or as close together as possible, because this can cause breakage of the hair when taking them out.
- Braid each section of hair tightly and take it up with an elastic band once you finish braiding the cornrow, but don’t make them too tight or they can cause breakage when taking them out. It is best to space your braidings about a half-inch apart from one another so that none are damaged in the process of taking them out.
- Take your time braid by braid, and don’t rush it! This will make the cornrows last longer.
- Once you are done braiding all of your sections, take each one down at a time so that they look uniform when taken out.
Steps to do cornrows professionally
- Part your hair into sections using a rat tail comb or create natural partings with your fingers. You will find that it is easier to cornrow smaller parts of the head where there are fewer hairs to braid, but you can always go from front to back as well for an easy and uniform look when taking them out.
- Make sure that you have enough elastics with you to secure each braid and take it down once finished because this can save time when doing them yourself.
- Braid each section tightly and make sure to tie the ends off with an elastic band so that they stay neat while taking them out or washing your hair at home.
- Take your time braid by braid, and don’t rush it. This will make the cornrows last longer!
- Once you are done braiding all of your sections, take each one down at a time so that they look uniform when taken out.
This is how long do cornrows last for both methods: two weeks! It might take some extra time and practice to get them just right, but it will be worth the effort in the end!
Reasons why cornrows cause itching
This may be due to the itchy scalp post braiding or the product buildup. If you are experiencing itching, try using a deep conditioner and shampoo at least once per week with an all-natural soap or gentle shampoo that contains no sulfates to avoid this issue.
- Allergy- Some people are sensitive to certain products that are used in cornrow styling. If you have sensitive skin, make sure to do a patch test on your scalp before applying any product and always wear gloves when completing the braiding process!
- Exposure difference- If you are experiencing itching, it could be due to exposure on your scalp. It is best if you don’t wear cornrows daily for more than two weeks at a time and give your hair one day off in between styling.
- Dirt build-up- If you are experiencing itching, your scalp may be dirty or oily. It is best to shampoo about once a week and rinse well with water after each braiding session.
- Dry Scalp- This is another reason for itching. If you have a dry scalp, try a deep conditioner and use oil to prevent itching.
Benefits of wearing cornrows hairstyles
Wearing braids offers many benefits like protection from harmful UV rays because it acts as a shield to your skin! It is also great for working out and keeping hair away from the face.
Wearing cornrows can save time in styling because you only have one braid to do instead of many individual styles, which reduces stress on the scalp when braiding sections of hair!
Make sure to do these steps before taking down the braids:
- Shampoo with an all-natural shampoo or gentle shampoo that contains no sulfates.
- Deep condition your hair using an all-natural deep conditioner or a moisturizing treatment to get rid of any product buildup and prevent dryness post cornrow removal.
- Use oil on the scalp to keep it healthy after washing out the braids! Use coconut, almond, jojoba, or olive oil to moisturize your scalp and prevent dryness.
- If you have straight hair, don’t brush it after taking down the braids! You should try a wide-tooth comb instead because this will decrease breakage during cornrow removal.
- Once you are done shampooing, conditioner, and using oils on your head, use a deep conditioner and oil to moisturize your braids.
- Make sure that you don’t wear cornrows daily for more than two weeks at a time because it could cause breakage when the hair is combed out! It’s best to give yourself one day off in between styling if possible.
Cornrows tangling and breakage
This may be due to the braiding method or choice of product used during braiding. Tightly coiled hair and coarse-textured hair tend to have a greater tendency towards tangling. If you are experiencing tingling, make sure to use a deep conditioner and oil or butter during the braiding process! This will help moisturize your hair post braiding for best results in preventing breakage when combing out cornrows.
Breakage is caused by overworked hair from excessive braiding/cornrowing too tightly and daily styling. It is best to not cornrow hair daily and give a day off in between braiding sessions for the healthiest results!
Make sure to take these steps before removing braids to decrease breakage and increase moisturized hair after cornrows have been removed! This is what everyone needs for healthy locks, so make sure you follow all of this advice to achieve healthy hair!