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How to Take Micro-Braids out of Your Hair

Jul 2, 2011 / By Elton Dunn

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Braid mavens joke that the pain of taking out micro-braids by hand is the price you pay for all those months you didn't have to style your hair! There's no way around the fact that undoing the tight braids by hand takes hours and hurts in places where the hair fibers have tangled or locked. No matter how you love the convenience and ease of wearing braids, you've got to give your hair a break by taking out braids or it will dread up on you, so take a deep breath and dive in.

Cut off the braid extensions where they meet your hair. You can feel the difference between natural hair and micro-braid extension.

Coat your braids with a rich removal cream that makes it far less painful to undo braids. In a pinch you can use a moisturizing conditioner instead of removal cream but removal cream works better since it's made just to help you undo braids and extensions. Allow the cream to penetrate your hair for the manufacturer's recommended time frame.

Unwind the braids using a rat-tail comb, working slowly and gently. Once you've gotten most of the braid out with the comb you can switch to your fingers. If you yank out the braids you risk yanking out your hair at the roots and you sure as heck don't want a bald spot!

Comb out the hair once you remove the braid. Work through any tangles until the hair combs smoothly. It takes time but do it right.

Continue untangling the braids to free your hair.

1.Scissors

3.Rat-tail comb

2.Removal cream

4.Wide-toothed comb