How to Remove Braids from Hair

Reviewed by Jasmin Todd

Last Updated: February 5, 2025 References

Braids are a stunning protective hair style— the intricate twists shield your delicate hair from damage while maintaining a stylish look. In addition to protecting your hair, braided hairstyles are easy to manage and require low maintenance. Undoing the braids, however, is a time consuming process that requires patience.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Treating Your Braids with a Deep Conditioner

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1
Wet your braids. Run your hair under a shower head or a faucet. Remain under the water until your hair is wet.
- If you shampooed your hair first, make sure all of the shampoo is rinsed out of your hair.
2
Coat the braids with a deep conditioner. Deep conditioning your braids the day before you remove them will moisturize, soften, and strengthen your natural hair. Squeeze a generous amount of product into your hands and run the deep conditioner down the length of your braids.
- As you apply a generous amount of deep conditioner to your braids, don’t forget to coat the edges of your hair.
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3
Distribute the product throughout braid. The deep conditioner needs to penetrate through the braid to reach your natural hair. Place the coated braids between the palms of your hands. Quickly twist or roll the braids between your palms to spread the product throughout the braid.
- This twisting or rolling motion will ensure that the deep conditioner reaches your natural hair.
4
Let the product sit for ten to twenty minutes then rinse. Gather your braids into a twist atop your head and place a shower cap over your head. Allow the product to sit for ten to twenty minutes. Step into a shower or place your head under a faucet and rinse your hair thoroughly.
- If you wish, you may sit under a hooded dryer for a deeper condition.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Removing Your Braids

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1
Apply detangler to your braids. Treating your braid with the detangling product of your choice will help to separate, or loosen, the braid from your natural hair. Coat each braid from the root to the tip of your natural hair with a generous amount of detangler.
- This product will also make it easier to detangle your hair once the braid is removed.
- Search for a product that contains marshmallow root. In addition to providing slip, marshmallow root also moisturizes hair.^{[1]
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2
Cut off your hair extensions if applicable. Use a sharp pair of scissors to cut the braid below the ends of your natural hair. Cutting out the extension will save you time—there will be much less hair for you to unbraid.
- This step is optional.
3
Undo one braid at a time. Insert the tail of a comb into the braid approximately ¼ from the tip. Slowly pull the tail down through the braid to separate the ends. Continue this process up the length of the braid until you reach the roots. Apply additional detangler as needed.
- Once you have separated the ends, you may use your hands to unravel the braid.
4
Detangle the lock of hair. Once the braid is removed, coat the ends of your locks with detangler. Gently comb through the ends with a wide toothed comb, pick, or your fingers. Gradually work your way up the length of your hair to the roots.
- To prevent additional tangles, twist the lock of hair and secure to your head to a pin. This will keep the detangled hair out of your way.
Continue to methodically separate and undo each braid. After undoing each braid, detangle the lock of hair.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Detangling, Cleansing, and Conditioning Your Hair

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1
Detangle any remaining knots. Before you wash and condition your hair, make sure your locks are completely free of knots and tangles. Use a wide toothed comb, wide toothed pick, or you fingers to remove knots and snarls from your hair. Comb through the tips of your hair and gradually work your way to the roots.
- Shampooing and conditioning tangled hair will only make the knots worse.
Diane Da Costa, Natural Hair Stylist

When taking down braids, be patient and gentle. Apply a moisturizing oil to the braided hair and scalp, then carefully unravel each braid from tip to root using your fingers. Use scissors to snip off any knots and tangles. After removing braids, deep condition hair to restore moisture and reduce breakage.
2
Wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo. While your hair was in its protective style, your scalp a layer of natural oils and hair products built up on your scalp. Clarifying shampoos are provide a deep clean than traditional shampoos. They are designed to strip your scalp and hair of build up.^{[2]
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- Rinse your hair under warm water.
- Apply the clarifying shampoo directly to your scalp. Avoid the shafts and ends of your hair—the shampoo will dry out your hair.
- Work the product into a lather.
- Rinse the product from your hair with lukewarm water.
- Squeeze out the excess water with a microfiber towel.^{[4]
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3
Deep condition your hair. After shampooing your locks, moisturize your hair with a deep conditioner.
- Apply a generous amount of deep conditioner to your damp hair.
- Twist your hair on top of your head and cover it with a shower cap.
- Apply heat for thirty minutes. You may sit under a hooded dryer, use a blow dryer, or wrap your head with a hot towel.
- Remove the heat source and shower cap.
- Rinse your hair under cool water to seal the cuticle.
- Squeeze out the excess water with a microfiber towel.^{[5]
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Community Q&A

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Question

How do I unbraid a fishtail braid?

Community Answer

Take out the elastic, and start gently pulling at the strands until the whole braid is out. Don't brush it, or you will end up with a big knot.

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How do I treat dandruff?

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Put tea tree oil on your scalp and let it sit for an hour or so before you wash your hair. Make sure to scrub your scalp very well to remove product build up and dirt.

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But my hair has huge naps (at the roots). Are there any products that will help detangle my hair besides coconut oil? Which method is most effective to avoid pulling out hair?

Community Answer

Try wetting your hair thoroughly, then apply a generous amount of a conditioner to your hair. When the hair is damp and lots of conditioner is applied, it is in a very ideal state for detangling.

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Be as gentle as possible.

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Warnings

Be extremely careful as you remove braids from the edges of your hair. The hair in this area is usually delicate and prone to breakage.

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