Crochet on natural hair refers to installing crochet braids using your own natural hair, cornrowed as the base, rather than a wig cap or another protective style foundation. Assess your hair’s current condition before deciding on cornrow tightness for a fresh install. This guide covers what matters most.
What Matters Most
Cornrow tension is the biggest factor in protecting natural hair during a crochet install, since braids that are too tight risk tension alopecia along the hairline over repeated installs. Keep the front row looser than the rest, and give your scalp a rest period of at least a week between installs.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I rest my scalp between crochet installs?
A rest period of at least a week between installs gives the scalp time to recover from cornrow tension, especially important if you notice any tenderness at the hairline.
Ready to plan the install itself?
See the full step-by-step for a feather-tip crochet install.
See the installation guide
