Braider Troubleshooting at NaturalHairstyling.com

Braiding Problems and Solutions

Problem:	Solution:
I have trouble getting a clear straight part.	Use a rat tail comb for parting. This is a comb that has a long, pointed stick like end.
My hands hurt when I'm braiding.	Warm up and stretch out your hands before you start braiding. If it's cold, weight lifting gloves allow the fingers to be free while the main part of the hand is covered. You can also exercise your hands by opening and closing them into fists repeatedly. Giving them a good soak in warm water is helpful sometimes too.
My hands get tired when I'm braiding.	Take breaks. You should take about a 5-10 minute break every half hour or so.
A client with damaged hair needs care but wants a style.	Sometimes you will get clients whose hair was done by a braider who did their hair too tight, or using bad technique that has caused damage. In such cases, just explain to the person what exactly is wrong, and what needs to be done to correct it before any more tension is applied to the hair. Offer a maintenance plan that is about the same price range as the style they wanted, even if it means that you or one of your employees will be doing their hair every couple of days to make sure that the treatment takes. For severe scalp damage, you may want to refer them to a dermatologist who will give inexpensive consultations and hair and scalp recovery instructions, so you have specific information.