How To Remove Buildup After Braids

Taking out braids feels so good—your scalp can finally breathe, your strands are free and you’re one wash away from that fresh, clean feeling. But let’s be real: post-braid buildup is a thing. Depending on how long you kept your protective style in, you might be dealing with flaking, residue or gunk along your roots that’s not easy to wash out in one go.

The good news? You can get your hair and scalp feeling clean, hydrated and fully refreshed—without stripping or stressing them out.

Here's your step-by-step guide to breaking down buildup and bringing your hair back to life.

1. Exfoliate first.

Before you even turn on the water, take a few minutes to gently break up any buildup sitting on your scalp. Use your fingers or a soft-bristle brush to massage your dry scalp—this helps lift flakes and old product that may still be clinging to your roots.

For a deeper clean, try a gentle scalp exfoliator like our Scalp + Body Scrub. Made with natural exfoliants, it buffs away residue without being harsh—perfect for post-braid care. And it's a water-based formula, so it rinses cleanly and easily. Massage it into your wet scalp before shampooing to help loosen buildup.

2. Shampoo twice.

Start with a clarifying shampoo to break down buildup, excess oil and any leftover product sitting on your scalp. Our Clarifying Shampoo is a great pick: it’s deeply cleansing but sulfate-free, so it won’t leave your hair feeling stripped or dry.

Once your scalp is clean, go in for round two with a shampoo that supports your hair goals—whether that’s moisture, volume, smoothing or strengthening. This second cleanse helps balance things out and gives your strands the reset they really need post-protective style.

Work in sections so your scalp gets the attention it deserves. Focus on the roots and use your fingertips (not your nails!) to massage gently and lift away buildup.

3. Deeply hydrate with a hair mask.

After clarifying, your hair is ready to soak up some serious hydration—and our Moisture Mask delivers. It’s rich, creamy and packed with nourishing ingredients to help bring your strands back to life, especially if they’re feeling dry, fragile or just a little worn out.

Scoop a generous amount and work it through from mid-lengths to ends. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes while it does its thing—restoring softness, shine and manageability without weighing your hair down.

4. Detangle gently (like, really gently).

Don’t be alarmed if you see some hair coming out after taking your braids down—that’s totally normal. On average, we shed 50 to 100 hairs a day, but when your hair’s in a protective style, those strands don’t fall away like they normally would. So once your braids are out, all that shedding shows up at once. It might look like a lot, but it’s just your hair catching up.

Take it slow, and be extra gentle. Detangle in sections, starting from the ends and working your way up to avoid unnecessary breakage. Use your fingers or a detangling brush, and apply some Leave-In Conditioner to help loosen knots.

5. Treat your scalp.

Now that you’ve cleared out all that buildup, your scalp might need a little soothing. A lightweight scalp serum or nourishing oil can help calm any lingering tightness, dryness or irritation—and keep your scalp feeling balanced and refreshed.

Look for ingredients like peppermint that have a cooling, calming effect. A few drops of our Rejuvenating Scalp Serum can go a long way!

6. Lock in moisture and keep it moving.

Whether you're planning another protective style or wearing your hair out, now's the time to seal in all that hydration. Finish with a styling cream or leave-in to lock in moisture and protect your strands.

And if you can, let your hair breathe for a few days before jumping into your next style. Your strands will thank you.