5 Tips for Protecting Your Weave and Natural Hair

Winter is right around the corner and for those of us with natural hair, if you live in a state where the winters are brutal, we need to protect our natural hair from the harsh winter weather. One way to do so is to tuck it away under a weave.  What’s better than protecting your natural hair while having a beautiful, durable hairstyle?

Weaves are not just extensions but are also a protective hairstyle if you’re trying to grow your hair longer or just want to give your hair a break from harmful heat styling. Your real hair is safely tucked away into braids that the weaves are sewn on to.

Human hair extensions are more expensive than synthetic but have a natural look and feel. In addition, just like your natural hair, it can be bleached, dyed, curled, straightened, etc. Good, durable human hair extensions can be expensive, but they do last for a very long time if shampooed, conditioned, moisturized and cared for properly. This saves money in the long run because you do not have to keep repurchasing as the same weave can be washed and repurposed a number of times.  Some women even use the weave to make a wig after using it a number of times and it still looks fresh and beautiful.

Be careful not to damage your own hair by gluing in the extensions or braiding the hair too tight. If the hair extensions are glued in or your braids have been created too tight, this will cause breakage. Don’t neglect your hair underneath, treat it with the same care as you would without your weave on top.

Here are 5 tips for wearing and protecting your weave and natural hair:

1. Spend more for good quality hair
Cheap synthetic hair extensions damage your natural hair and can cause scalp irritation. Avoid human hair extensions which are mixed in with synthetic hair and animal hair like Yaks or horses. Check the hair thoroughly and wash it before use to ensure that there are no insects lodged in the wefts that can damage or irritate your natural hair follicles.

2. Avoid bonded weaves
Bonding glue is used to attach the weave extensions to your scalp. Bonding suffocates the scalp, ultimately causing breakage from the roots as the natural hair can’t breathe.

3. Change it up as often as you can
Wear your weaves for 4-6 weeks at a time so your scalp can breathe! Wearing the same weave style for more than 6 weeks without washing can also lead to hair loss.

4. Take care of your natural hair
It’s important to deep condition natural hair before attaching a weave and to look after your natural hair, as traction alopecia can be developed from neglect.

5. Your scalp needs you too
Wrap your hair with a silk scarf before bed, sports or any activity that would cause sweat–wash and blow-dry if there is excessive sweat. Treat you natural hair to deep conditioners and scalp treatments regularly and allow your scalp to breathe from time to time.

Ref: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/hair/tips/a30374/what-to-know-before-getting-a-weave/