I was recently asked whether it was harmful to dye hair and then subsequently braid it.
The answer is YES. The reason is simple: When you have your hair dyed, the cuticle layer has to be lifted in order to let the dye in. The cuticle layer is then flattened again but the very act of lifting and flattening the layer weakens it. At times, the cuticle layer doesn't get re-flattened properly leading to hair damage. If you then go to braid your hair you're braiding hair who's protein infrastructure has been weakened. The likelihood of incurring hair breakage is therefore higher. When can you braid your hair again? I would say wait until about 6 weeks have passed or when you have about half an inch of new hair growth before you braid your hair. Your new growth won't have been dyed and will be stronger - the protein infrastructure will be intact. In addition, after a few deep conditions and hot oil treatments the color-treated hair will have been re-fortified and will therefore be more ready to hold a braid. Relaxing hair weakens hair more than dyeing natural hair. Have you braided your hair quite soon after dyeing it and faced a bad result due to that? 
Get your FREE ebook on How To Grow Long, Healthy Natural Kinky or Curly Hair. You might also like: Is It Bad To Dye / Color Hair Then Get Extensions?
Hillda
30/10/2013 03:30:30 pm
I agree, waiting for half an inch or even more depending on the size of the braids is the most advisable thing for naturals or even relaxed. I think the mistake most people with African hair, in Africa especially don't really know what they want with their hair. Today they grow natural hair until it holds a pony tail, the following day its relaxed, the next minute its colored and the next second its in weaves or braids... To much stress on the hair only causes damages. Adding protein to your regime will help the existing hair and prevent breakage...
Fediben Gal
15/11/2013 06:44:47 pm
I know you say wait six weeks but what about if you are trying to cover grey hair. I have to use permanent dye because for some reason henna does not work on my hair. The last time I braided my hair it looked awdul with all the grey hair sticking out or showing. Is there alternative?
Chris Arespacochaga
21/8/2014 05:06:06 pm
I have gray hair and would like to put a dye in it. I have been getting twisties. Is that alright ? My hair is growing like crazy. I hate gray hair. Help!!!
Susan
8/7/2014 08:18:13 pm
Yolanda
21/8/2014 08:10:39 pm
I have lots of grey and use dye every did week. Is there any alternative since my hair tends to be getting dry and brittle?
Liz
21/8/2014 10:49:29 pm
Hi Yolanda, I have gray hair mainly around the front of my head. I use a water based permanent color and it works well.
Bernice
21/8/2014 11:33:56 pm
I dyed my permed hair and braided it . For about a year I had massive breakage, dryness and brittleness. That encouraged my decision to go for the big chop because no form of restoring treatment was improving the condition of my hsir
Althea
22/8/2014 12:05:40 am
Hi Ladies, I agree with Liz. I'm fortunate as I have very little grey hair. Always wait 6 weeks as advised & water based dyes are far more healthy.
KKW
18/5/2015 08:35:41 am
I have bleached natural hair. I had my hair bleached almost two months ago. I really want to get goddess~ braids but I want to know if the braids will damage my hair and fall out off once I take them out. I may only keep them in for 6 weeks...if that. Comments are closed.
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By Heather Katsonga-Woodward
I was a natural hair blogger and mixtress living between London & Chicago from 2012 to 2017. I always thought I was 4C but some say 4B; images below - you decide! Heather xx
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