Just a couple tips....only do them smaller around the perimeter..you can make much larger parts, and even start some off with cornrowing in the hidden back sections of your hair if u want to---It will GREATLY decrease the number of braids, as well as the heaviness, and will allow you to wear comfortable ponytails and buns. (they seem to be the same weight as yarn braids to me, I have had both really long...only yarn braids may be a bit hotter in the sumertime, just my opinion)
I disagree with whomever said only use a lil bit of hair per braid...imo, that's how you pull your hair out....you should be using slightly more hair per braid, so your hair can take the weight. I wouldnt suggest doing them loosely either, b/c they wont last long, will get fuzzy real quick, and they will probably look a mess after you try to wash it.
In my experience, the african shops are guilty of putting way too many braids in your head, and also using far too little of your real hair in each braid, you have to go to someone who can follow instructions! I had a haitian girl do mine, and she also only put a lil bit of hair in the braid all around my edges (even after telling her not to, grrrr!). Luckily I can braid myself, so I just took the edges down and re-did it how I wanted it. Something about these foreigners, I swear...they INSIST on doing whatever they want to, and not what you are telling themLOL :shrug:
Washing: I wash mine monthly. Not down the length of the hair tho, it will take forever to dry if you get it all wet. I wash in the sink, and just lay the length of the braids on the counter...and only wash the scalp using the spray attachment thingy. I try to massage the knot of each one while wet to loosen any buildup. In the in between time, I use a dry shampoo just to freshen the scalp maybe every two weeks, or after heavy sweating, and I have a spray bottle of rose water, tea tree oil, and a lil bit of grapeseed oil that I use nightly, which keeps them moisturized and smelling fresh..I find the addition of tea tree knocks out any smoke smell after you have been around cigarettes at a bar or lounge...
Also, this is not a proven theory, but just one I think is true, that the weight of the braids/gravity aids in hair growth. It seems like my hair grows more like an inch a month than the standard 1/2" it normally does when my hair is loose, but again, that is not a fact.
HTH
Oh and lol@ boobs and long hair