Crochet braids have become a versatile favorite for anyone wanting to transform their look while letting their natural hair protected underneath, letting you experiment with different textures,lengths and colors efficiently. But crochet install is only half the journey. How you take them out matters just as much. A rushed takedown can lead to tangles, breakage, and setbacks for the natural hair you’ve worked so hard to protect.
How to Remove Crochet Braids by Cutting Extensions without Damaging Your Natural Hair?
Tools You’ll Need:
- Scissors
- Rat-Tail Comb
- Detangling spray,oil or conditioner
- Sectioning clips or hair ties
Step by Step to Remove Crochet Braids :
- Section Your Hair: Divide your crochet hair into 4-6 sections using clips or hair ties. Work on one section at a time, keeping the rest secured away.
- Cut the Extensions: Carefully cut off crochet braids close to the installation knots without cutting your natural hair.
- Moisturize and soften the braids: If the remaining crochet hair feels tangled or matted, apply detangling spray, oil, or conditioner to soften the fibers and ease removal.
- Remove the Crochet Hair: Use a rat-tail comb or your fingers to gently pull or slide out the remaining crochet hair. Work slowly and patiently to avoid pulling your natural hair.
- Deal With Stubborn Parts: For any strands that are difficult to slide out, carefully unravel the braids instead of forcing them out.
- Repeat the Process:Continue working through each section using the same method until all crochet hair has been successfully removed.
How to Remove Crochet Braids Without Damage for Reuse?
Method 1: Direct removal from your cornrow or twist base.
Best for: Crochet hair that is loop knotted (no additional knots) onto the base of each cornrow or twist.
Step by step:
- Moisturize and detangle the crochet hair using oil, conditioner, or a detangling spray. If there's significant buildup or matted knots, allow the product to sit for 30-60 minutes to soften the hair.
- Begin with one manageable section, clipping the rest away to maintain organization.
- Using your fingernail or a rat-tail comb, gently pull the connecting thread of the crochet hair from the top and slide it out. Continue working along the same cornrow or twist to remove any remaining crochet hair in that section.
- Place the removed crochet hair on a hair rack for later reuse.
- Repeat this process until all crochet hair has been removed.
Method 2: Unravel the cornrow base to removal crochet hair
Best for: Crochet hair that is installed using double knots or different knotted method through the installation.
Step by step:
- Moisturize and detangle your crochet braids,especially take more time to soften the mash knots with build up.
- Cut the small elastic or sewn threads you used to secure your cornrow base.
- Begin to unravel from one loose cornrow base ends up to the roots,and gently pull out the crochet hair thread while unraveling process,then put your removed crochet hair on a hanger or hair rank for reuse.
- Repeat this process until you successfully unravel your cornrows and removal your crochet hair.
Powerful DIY Detangling for Removing Severely Matted Crochet Braids
For long wear crochet braids over 9 weeks with too much tangles and stubborn knots,you can also diy detangle mixed spray as following:
Detangling Mixture Formula & Application
- Formula:
- Aloe vera juice
- Conditioner with high slip (e.g., HE Hello Hydration)
- Olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (ACV)
Steps:
- Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle
- Saturate hair thoroughly from scalp to ends of braids
- Wrap hair and leave the mixture overnight
- Remove braids the next morning - shed hair and dirt will slide out easily
Key Benefits:
- Effortless removal of shed hair
- Gentle cleansing of accumulated dirt
- Minimizes breakage during takedown
- Suitable for long-term braid wearers
- This overnight treatment significantly simplifies the detangling process while maintaining hair health during braid removal.
Tips to Make Crochet Braids Removal Much Easier
- Opt for high-quality, tangle-resistant human braiding hair or crochet hair to simplify removal and enable reuse by significantly reducing matting.
- When installing, always crochet the hair underneath the braid base rather than pulling it through the center of the braid.
- Keeping your natural hair well-moisturized underneath can significantly ease the removal process and reduce pulling on your scalp.
- Use natural oils like coconut oil or olive oil to your roots and knots. Oils can soften the hair and help slide out stubborn knots more easily.
- Always work in small, manageable sections. Dividing your hair before removal ensures thoroughness and prevents tangles.
- Be gentle and patient throughout the process. Removing crochet braids can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the crochet installation method, the type of crochet hair used, your preparation, and your skill level. Working slowly helps prevent tugging at the braids, which can irritate your scalp and cause breakage or damage—especially around sensitive areas like your edges.
Hair Routine to Keep Crochet Braids Looking Fresh
1. Scalp Care
- Gently massage your scalp 2-3 times per week using natural oils to maintain moisture and promote healthy growth.
2. Washing Routine (Every 1-2 weeks)
- Prepare diluted sulfate-free shampoo in an applicator bottle
- Apply directly to scalp, focusing on spaces between braids
- Gently massage to cleanse without disturbing braids
- Rinse thoroughly under running water
- Dry by wrapping with cotton t-shirt or microfiber towel for 20 minutes
- Apply water-based leave-in conditioner or braid spray throughout
- Seal ends with light natural oils
- Secure with satin scarf until completely dry
3. Daily Maintenance
- Mist braids with water-based braid spray to maintain softness
- Focus on areas prone to friction and dryness.
4.Retouch or tighten your crochet braids every 4-6 weeks without taking them down
How to Refresh Knotless Braids and Keep Them Looking New for Weeks
Additional Tips:
- Sleep on a satin pillowcase and loosely secure your braids under a satin scarf or bonnet to minimize friction.
- Avoid heavy products and opt for water-based or oil-based moisturizers instead of cream-based products to reduce buildup.
- It is highly recommended not to wear braids for longer than 3 months to maintain scalp health and prevent hair damage.
- This adapted routine maintains clean, fresh crochet braids while ensuring your natural hair and scalp remain healthy underneath.
Conclusion:
Ultimately, the best crochet braid removal method depends on your goal. For a fast removal, one technique may be ideal, while for maintaining hair health and reusability, another is preferable. To streamline future removals, consider installation methods that aid removal, such as crocheting onto a wig net/braid cap or using the express crochet method.
Reach out to us at [email protected] with any fresh braiding hair tips you've discovered or questions about hair selection. Enjoy your braiding and twisting journey, and keep shining!