(Beauty Report Card)

10 Products I Use To Take Down My Braids Without Breakage

Taking down your braids doesn't have to be miserable.

Feb. 10, 2024

Samantha Scott

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It is once again time to do one of my most dreaded tasks: take down my braids. I’ve been wearing this particular protective style since middle school and despite two decades of experience, the process never really gets easier. It’s incredibly time-consuming and hard on my back, arms, and fingers. And yet, it must be done. Originally I’d planned to treat myself and go to my trusted braider to take my current style down and install the next one. But after moving apartments last month, I’m doing as much DIY as possible for the foreseeable future.

While experience hasn’t provided much ease, I’ve come up with a solid strategy to push through the process. Before I even touch my hair, I assemble TV shows, YouTube videos, and podcast episodes to keep myself entertained. This time around, the latest episode of Club Shay Shay with Mo’Nique is at the top of my queue. Then I block time out in my calendar, usually an entire weekend, and let folks know I’m not available...unless they want to help. Once my time is set and my media lineup is set, I can get started. I cut my braids as short as possible without cutting into my natural hair, working from back to front with products that have been battle-tested over the years. The ultimate goal is to minimize breakage and shedding and refresh my scalp and hair.

Here are the products I use to get it done.

Jam Paper

Orange Precision Scissors

$13

My braids are down to my butt, so to give myself a head-start, I cut them to where my hair ends. This is typically around lob length.

Hask

Tea Tree & Rosemary Oil Scalp Care Conditioner

The most frustrating part of the takedown process (aside from the time commitment) is the product buildup at the roots. To ease the process, I mix this conditioner with water, apply it to my roots, and gently separate and remove the buildup with my fingers.

Bass Brushes

Fine Tooth Comb

When my fingers eventually get tired, I switch to using a fine-tooth comb to both unravel the braids and remove buildup.

Annie

Detangler Comb

Once all of the braids are out, I spray the water and conditioner mixture from root to tip and detangle my curls. The teeth on this tool are spaced a bit tighter than a wide-tooth comb, so it works through knots without snagging or breaking my hair.

Kérastase

Symbiose Exfoliating Antidandruff Scalp Scrub

$49

I use salicylic acid on my face and body, but I hadn’t considered the ingredient as an option for my hair until I first tried this product. The scrub refreshes my scalp and removes any lingering buildup at the roots.

Hask

Tea Tree & Rosemary Oil Scalp Care Shampoo

After giving my scalp a good scrub, I keep the party going with this shampoo. This combo keeps my dandruff at bay without drying out my scalp or hair.

Bread Beauty Supply

Baby Soft Conditioner

$24

This conditioner has the perfect amount of slip for detangling. I let it sit for two to three minutes and then go in with a wide-tooth comb.

The Mane Choice

Exotic Cool Laid Fresh Mango & Passion Fruit Mask

$17

I’m not usually one for super fragrant products, but this mask is an exception because passionfruit and mango are two of my favorite fruits. After washing out the detangling conditioner, I coat my hair from the roots to the ends, throw a plastic shower cap on, and let the steam do its magic while I do my body care routine.

Tropical Isle

Jamaican Black Castor Oil

$14

$11.20

After towel-drying my hair, I massage a few drops of castor oil into my edges.

Bread

Hair Cream

$28

To give my hair a bit of a rest, I apply this leave-in treatment, section my hair, and put it into twists.