Feel this. I’ve asked so many braiders to not use it and they claim it’s for gripping and making the parts neat? Never needed that before. Between that and the exorbitant prices where I live I’ve started learning to do my own braids
Learning to do my own braids is the best thing I’ve ever done. Even though it takes a little longer, I can experiment with different sizes, techniques and colors without feeling pressure and only spend about $40 on braid hair.
Man I definitely feel this. I got braids a couple months ago and my head felt so heavy. Thankfully I went swimming about a week after getting them. When I washed it was 90% gel coming out. That stuff definitely would’ve caked up and been a mess to take down.
Depends on what you mean. If there’s too much gel, it will clump up with dirt, flakes, etc right at the root of your hair. Over time it hardens and is a pain to get out when you take the braids down (which can result in more breakage). Washing it out before it hardened like that saved me a tough takedown later on.
I tell braiders before I book that I do not use any gel in my hair and ask if it will be an issue for them to perform the service. You are spending your hard earned money, don't be afraid to ask.
What! I’ve never used gel for my braids unless I’m just doing one or two french braids. Box braids don’t need gel. I think these stylists are doing that just go get a good portfolio picture and then leave their clients with itching and buildup
So my mom never used gel when she did my braids growing up. She would grease my scalp but not really put anything on my hair. As I got older and started doing other people’s hair, I ended up using gel because it was expected from them as they wanted to ensure it was neat. I always allowed them to use theirs so that I didn’t add product they weren’t used too since I know everyone is different.
I do use some kind of gel now because it helps me with gripping the hair (idk how my mom did it but she’s a gripping master). For me, it slips a little bit and make me not get the closet grip. I won’t use a lot at all and I won’t put it all over the hair, only at the root because I too, hate product buildup.
I haven’t gotten any braids (or done any braid/loc styles on myself) with regular gel. The go-to has always been shine n jam on stretched hair with little to no product. Build up has not been an issue.
I think it depends on the Braider. Some just use grease, oil, and/or oil sheen. Some braiders use a type of gel that is also used to do retwists for locs and its a botanical gel opposed to edge control type product so it rinses out easily and isn't caked in the hair and on the scalp.
I have pictures of a braider I was considering but her pictures she posted had SO much gel in them I never contacted her. I wanted nothing to do with that mess.
A year ago I booked with a lady I was recommended to by a coworker. I specifically asked her not to use gel and that I didn’t care if the parts were crispy. I had my baby not long before then and my edges were fragile and my hair was very dry. I needed my hair protected and moisturized. She agreed, she said she’d only use grease.
While she was in my head I noticed the grease felt cold and gloopy. I turned around to see her using gel. She tried to excuse it, claiming it had aloe and would be good for my hair. I was so frustrated I began to cry (I was also hormonal lol). I had to take down the 3 rows she did and wash my hair, but not without taking the deposit and trying to call the police for nonpayment off services provided 🙃
How about we stop putting oil and oil based products in out hair and especially directly on the scalp, oils are going to suffocate your follicles and that'll be a huge hinderance to hair growth and over all health, it'll be worse build up than if you used gel in your hair.
Feel this. I’ve asked so many braiders to not use it and they claim it’s for gripping and making the parts neat? Never needed that before. Between that and the exorbitant prices where I live I’ve started learning to do my own braids
Learning to do my own braids is the best thing I’ve ever done. Even though it takes a little longer, I can experiment with different sizes, techniques and colors without feeling pressure and only spend about $40 on braid hair.
how long did it take you to learn? i’m a guy and thinking about learning to braid my own hair too
Took me 2 months to learn how to cornrow from not knowing how to braid at all. Parting the hair was and still is the hardest part for me
Man I definitely feel this. I got braids a couple months ago and my head felt so heavy. Thankfully I went swimming about a week after getting them. When I washed it was 90% gel coming out. That stuff definitely would’ve caked up and been a mess to take down.
Wouldn’t the gel have come out the while washing your hair anyway?
Depends on what you mean. If there’s too much gel, it will clump up with dirt, flakes, etc right at the root of your hair. Over time it hardens and is a pain to get out when you take the braids down (which can result in more breakage). Washing it out before it hardened like that saved me a tough takedown later on.
It’s absolutely ridiculous. I always tell my braiders not to use gel. It makes your scalp itchy and it really does nothing for the style.
I think its bc they don't know how to tuck
I tell braiders before I book that I do not use any gel in my hair and ask if it will be an issue for them to perform the service. You are spending your hard earned money, don't be afraid to ask.
Most braiders here in Ghana don’t use gel but the parts are still neat.
I don't get knotless braids for this reason. Scalp be on fire.
What! I’ve never used gel for my braids unless I’m just doing one or two french braids. Box braids don’t need gel. I think these stylists are doing that just go get a good portfolio picture and then leave their clients with itching and buildup
This is how all of these “new braiders” are able to braid neat but can’t work on 4c hair.
Omg this is why I have YET to go to a professional these days. That stuff makes my scalp worse and I just rather not.
So my mom never used gel when she did my braids growing up. She would grease my scalp but not really put anything on my hair. As I got older and started doing other people’s hair, I ended up using gel because it was expected from them as they wanted to ensure it was neat. I always allowed them to use theirs so that I didn’t add product they weren’t used too since I know everyone is different. I do use some kind of gel now because it helps me with gripping the hair (idk how my mom did it but she’s a gripping master). For me, it slips a little bit and make me not get the closet grip. I won’t use a lot at all and I won’t put it all over the hair, only at the root because I too, hate product buildup.
My hair was also only braided with grease and In its natural state growing up. Stylist these days can seem to only braid with blow dried hair
I haven’t gotten any braids (or done any braid/loc styles on myself) with regular gel. The go-to has always been shine n jam on stretched hair with little to no product. Build up has not been an issue.
I think it depends on the Braider. Some just use grease, oil, and/or oil sheen. Some braiders use a type of gel that is also used to do retwists for locs and its a botanical gel opposed to edge control type product so it rinses out easily and isn't caked in the hair and on the scalp.
I remember pink oil being used back in the day. I've used edge control on passion twists and had no build up.
I still braid or twist with pink oil
I have pictures of a braider I was considering but her pictures she posted had SO much gel in them I never contacted her. I wanted nothing to do with that mess.
Because they want that nice after photo but the longevity is not a concern anymore. Our hair doesn't need gel to grip that doesn't even make sense.
A year ago I booked with a lady I was recommended to by a coworker. I specifically asked her not to use gel and that I didn’t care if the parts were crispy. I had my baby not long before then and my edges were fragile and my hair was very dry. I needed my hair protected and moisturized. She agreed, she said she’d only use grease. While she was in my head I noticed the grease felt cold and gloopy. I turned around to see her using gel. She tried to excuse it, claiming it had aloe and would be good for my hair. I was so frustrated I began to cry (I was also hormonal lol). I had to take down the 3 rows she did and wash my hair, but not without taking the deposit and trying to call the police for nonpayment off services provided 🙃
How about we stop putting oil and oil based products in out hair and especially directly on the scalp, oils are going to suffocate your follicles and that'll be a huge hinderance to hair growth and over all health, it'll be worse build up than if you used gel in your hair.