For traditional box braids, you typically only need hair that’s about 1. 5 in (3. 8 cm) long. [2] X Research source But because knotless braids use a feed-in technique that requires you to braid a few links of your natural hair before adding the synthetic hair, you need a little more length.
If your hair is naturally dry, add a moisturizer after washing. Deep-conditioning treatments are great to do before this protective style! Try a hot oil treatment to get your hair in great condition before braiding.
You might want to blow dry your hair straight after you’re done detangling it. Straighter hair is easier to braid and blends seamlessly with extensions. [3] X Research source
Have at least 4 packs of braiding hair on hand for your knotless box braids. If you want longer braids—say, to your waist—you might need 5-7 packs. [4] X Research source
The size of your braiding sections depends on the size of braid you want. Generally, use a 0. 5 in (1. 3 cm) section for small or micro braids, a 1 in (2. 5 cm) section for medium-size braids, or a 2 in (5. 1 cm) section for jumbo braids. [5] X Research source A pro typically won’t do this, but if you’re new to box braiding, it’ll help you make sure all your parts are straight and your sections are even. Separating your hair out this way also makes it easy to take breaks—which you’ll definitely need to do since it can take 6-8 hours to install knotless box braids.
Keep a dab of gel on the back of one of your hands so you’ll always have it handy when you need it while you’re braiding. Pros usually start with the bottom row at the back of the head and work their way up. But if this is your first time and you need to be able to see what you’re doing, you might find it easier to start at the front.
It doesn’t matter if you go from right to left or from left to right, but your braids will look more even and consistent if you braid all of them the same way.
Add a little more gel when you incorporate the synthetic hair to help the whole strand stick together.
For extra staying power, mist the braid with a holding spray before you move on to the next one. You might want to secure the end with a hair elastic if your braids tend to unravel. [6] X Research source
If you’re doing your own hair, give yourself plenty of breaks so your arms don’t get too tired.
If you secured the ends of your braids with hair elastics, take them off before you dip the ends if you don’t want the elastic to melt into your braids.
Traditional box braids can be really tight, leading to a sore scalp. It could be a week or longer before you can style those braids without pain. There’s really no limit to the styles you can create with knotless box braids either—anything you can do with regular hair, you can do with these braids.
Be conservative with any products you use on your braids—too much and they’ll start to accumulate buildup and not look fresh.
If you don’t want to do a full wash, you can also use apple cider vinegar. Make a solution with one part vinegar to 3 parts water. Soak a washcloth in the solution and wring it out. Use the washcloth to wipe down your braids and the scalp between your braids. Follow up with a light oil or leave-in conditioner after the vinegar smell is gone.
The biggest factor for your braids’ longevity is the technique and skill of the person who braided your hair. If you braided your own hair for the first time, or had a friend braid it who hasn’t practiced much, they probably won’t last as long. Your braids might start to get heavy as your hair grows out, typically around 2-3 weeks. If they feel like they’re pulling on your scalp or causing you neck pain, go ahead and take them out early. [11] X Research source
