If braids feel painful within 24 hours, mist roots with water and leave-in spray, gently massage the scalp, and sleep with a loose satin scarf. If pain or bumps persist past 48 hours, ask your braider to loosen the worst braids.
Some tightness on install day is normal — pain is not. Here''s how to triage it.
**Within the first 24 hours**
1. **Mist your roots** with a 50/50 mix of water and leave-in conditioner. Don''t soak.
2. **Massage gently** with the pads of your fingers from the hairline back, in slow circles for 5 minutes.
3. **Take an OTC anti-inflammatory** (ibuprofen) if you tolerate it.
4. **Sleep with a loose satin scarf** instead of a tight bonnet. Skip the high pony.
**24 to 48 hours**
5. **Warm shower** — let warm water run over the head for a few minutes. It relaxes the scalp without soaking the braids.
6. **Tea tree + jojoba oil** mix (3 drops tea tree to 1 tsp jojoba) massaged into the worst spots.
**Red flags — message your braider**
- Pain that gets **worse** after 48 hours.
- Small **white bumps** along the hairline.
- **Scabs or weeping** sores.
- **Hair shedding** at the root when you touch a braid.
A good braider will loosen the specific braids causing trouble at no charge. On Braidz IQ, every booking includes the in-app care thread for exactly this kind of follow-up — log the symptom and your braider will see it.