We love our weaves if the multi billion dollar hair industry is anything to go by! Straight, wavy, curly, kinky, the world of weaves has opened our eyes to possibilities a plenty. I could wear a silky smooth bob this month and have waist length wavy hair next month all without actually risking my own hair, it’s no wonder that we love weaves so much.
Your own hair should always come first when choosing a regimen for weave. Length retention is greatly enhanced while wearing a weave because your hair is not exposed to the major cause of breakage; manipulation. You should take advantage of this enhanced retention by following a good hair regimen while wearing a sew in.
Most women these days are clued up on good hair regimens. They use weaves as a tool to grow their own hair long and healthy rather than using them as an alternative to healthy hair. This is great but some women are still getting a few key things wrong.
Protein
Protein is a big deal in haircare. Your hair is made up of protein and some of it is lost during relaxing, combing, coloring or even just being out in the sun for too long. Protein must be replenished to your strands on a regular basis to strengthen and prevent constant breakage.
Before even thinking about braiding your hair down for a sew in you must do a protein treatment first. I recommend Aphogee two step protein treatment. It will strengthen your hair allowing it to endure the braiding process without much breakage. Protein treatments should be done once every 8 weeks so if you plan on having your sew in for 2 months, a protein treatment before and straight after the install is a must.
A light protein is also necessary every two weeks once your extensions have been installed. Remember if you are wearing kinky, curly or wavy hair that looks it’s best when it is wetted every day, your braids will be gettting a great deal of moisture. Without protein to balance out the moisture in your braided hair, breakage after you take down the install is inevitable.
You won’t be able to use a normal protein conditioner while in the weave so go for braid sprays with protein or other protein sprays. I use Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Restructurizer. All you have to do is lift your extensions and spray your braids underneath the tracks.
Moisture
If you have chosen to wear a straight weave then chances are that you will not be wetting your hair daily. In this instance it will be moisture that your hair will be crying out for. As you will not be able to use a creamy moisturizer, you are best of going with either a moisturizing braid spray or a spray leave in conditioner. Again, just lift your extensions and spray the braids underneath lightly. You can also massage your braids a bit to ensure that every section is moisturized.
If appropriate you can oil your scalp as well. Not everyone does well with oil, I find that any oil on my scalp other than what my scalp naturally produces makes me itch like crazy so be careful! It’s not appropriate to oil your scalp daily however because you will just be clogging your pores which leads to itches. Once a week after you wash your hair is plenty
Deep condition
Yes, you must deep condition even when you are wearing a sew in! Apply normal conditioner to your extensions and apply watered down conditioner to your own braids using a bottle with a pointed tip. You can get these bottles form your local beauty supply store.
It is always best to go with light liquid or watered down conditioners rather than creamy hair masks on your braids. Not only will you have trouble getting the creamy conditioner into the braids, it will be very difficult to wash out as well. If you have a lot of conditioner build up in your braids, your hair could matt causing tangling and breakage when you are removing the install.
A steamer is also a good way to infuse moisture into dry strands without going crazy with the conditioner. Remember to use your protein spray every two weeks for balance.
Dry throughly
Blow drying your extensions is not enough! You have to sit under a dryer as well to allow your cornrows underneath the weave to dry completely. The last thing you want is a fungal infection on your scalp!
Enjoy your hair
With these tips you will be well on your way not only to enhanced length retention but also to much healthier stronger hair. It won’t be long until your own length rivals that of most weaves!
