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Hair-care guide

How to Do a Braid-Out on Curly or Coily Hair

TheWashDay editorial · Updated · From the American Academy of Dermatology · How we compare

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A braid-out is a stretched style: you braid damp sections, let them dry completely, then unravel them into defined waves. It gives more stretch and a flatter, wavier pattern than a twist-out, and it lasts several days. Like a twist-out, it depends on the braids being fully dry before you take them down.

The steps

  1. Section damp hair
  2. Braid to the ends
  3. Unravel when dry
Diagram. Section damp hair, braid each section to the ends, and unravel the braids once they are completely dry. The numbered steps below say the same in full.
  1. Start with clean, detangled, damp hair.
  2. Section it; more braids give a tighter, more defined pattern.
  3. Apply leave-in, then a cream or light gel.
  4. Braid each section (three strands) to the ends, without pulling at the scalp.
  5. Let them dry completely: overnight, under a hooded dryer, or with a diffuser on low.
  6. Oil your fingertips, unravel each braid and separate gently; lift the roots with a pick.

Braid-out or twist-out

A braid-out stretches the hair more and gives a crinkled, wavy pattern; a twist-out gives rounder spirals with more shrinkage. Braids that are too tight pull at the edges; the American Academy of Dermatology’s rule is that a style that hurts is too tight.

How to do a twist-out

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