Why Does Braiding Hair Make Me So Itchy?

Braiding is a popular and versatile hairstyle, but for many, it has an annoying side effect: itchiness. Understanding why this happens and how to manage it can make your braiding experience much more comfortable. What Is Braiding Hair? To create a variety of braided styles, including box braids and cornrows, braiding hair refers to the usage of hair extensions, whether they are synthetic or natural. Materials such as kanekalon, a synthetic fiber that is designed to look very much like real hair, are often used in the production of these extensions. Braiding your hair may give you more length, volume, and protective style. Still, it also has the potential to bring new components to your scalp that you are not used to or comfortable with. What Makes Braiding Hair Itchy? Several factors can contribute to the itchiness associated with braiding hair: Chemical Coatings: Many synthetic braiding hairs are treated with chemicals throughout the production process to protect the fibers and keep their texture intact. In addition to causing allergic reactions, these compounds have the potential to irritate the scalp, which may result in itching. Tight Braiding: The braids can tug on the scalp and hair follicles if they are fitted...