Style
Box Braids
Box braids are one of the most common protective styles, and most of what determines how well they hold up comes down to two things: how they were installed and how they're maintained afterward. Getting the most out of a set means knowing both how long to expect them to last and whether box braids are even the right call compared to a lower-tension alternative like cornrows.
Full guide
Ultimate Guide: How Long Box Braids Last & Extending Their Lifespan
Read itHow long box braids actually last
Most box braids hold up well for four to six weeks, and smaller or medium braids installed by an experienced stylist can often stretch to seven or eight. Braid size, hair texture, and how gently they were installed matter more than any fixed calendar date -- jumbo braids tend to loosen and frizz sooner than small ones, and braids installed with too much tension at the root will need to come out earlier regardless of size.
Signs it's time to take them down, not stretch them further
Matting at the root, a base that feels thick or tangled no matter how it's brushed out, ongoing scalp tenderness, or braids that have loosened enough to expose a lot of new growth are all signals to remove the set rather than push past the six-to-eight-week mark. Waiting past that point doesn't save time -- it usually means a harder, longer takedown and more breakage in the new growth that's been tangled into the braid the longest.