Weaves are one of the best ways to add fullness and length to your hair. The history of weaves is very long, especially in the African American community, and it is no wonder they are still widely used. Although there are many types of weaves made by different methods, the most famous ones are sewed in where either small strands of hair are sewed or complete wefts. But every weaving process starts by braiding one¡¯s hair, either simple cornrows or more intricate braids. Because of that, not only do you get amazing volume, but weaves also protect your natural strands and let your hair recuperate which is very important. So that¡¯s definitely another bonus of the weave.
An important thing to keep in mind when hair extensions are sewed in, whether you¡¯re doing it yourself or at a salon, is that the weave should not be too tight. It needs to be secure so that it doesn¡¯t fall out, but if you feel too much tension and strain on your natural hair, it has not been done right.
How to Care for Weave Hair Extensions?
We also recommend that you get Remy hair which is real human hair with all the cuticles aligned in the same direction. That kind of hair will produce the best weave results and the maintenance will be a lot easier. The longevity of the weave will also be much longer, but do keep in mind that you cannot keep your weave forever. As your strands grow out, you need to remove it and reapply it again. It it r strands grow out, you need to remove it and reapply it again. d in teh tural strands and let your hair recuperate whcih s recommended that you give your natural locks a break between the weaves so after you remove it, give your hair some time to relax.
Proper maintenance of your weave is essential if you want it to look perfect and be able to use the extensions multiple times. Here are some tips on what to do and not to do if you have a hair extensions weave.
Using Hot Tools
In general, using curling irons or straighteners every day is not recommended. However, using them every once in a while shouldn¡¯t be a big problem. And there are a couple of things that you can do in order to make it safer. The problem with hot tools is, of course, the heat which can damage extensions and your natural locks over time. The way you can combat that is by using a heat protectant. They are very cheap and you simply need to spray some before curl or straighten your weave.
Weave Brushing
Brushing, one of the essential parts of caring for your weave extensions, is something to do regularly. We recommend that you comb through your weave at least two times a day. Doing so will prevent mink hair extensions from tangling and matting and that¡¯s the real killer of weaves. When you brush, start from the ends and work your way up, being careful not to tug or pull on the weave too much. The keywords here are gentle and careful. If you follow these brushing instructions, your weave will stay incredibly beautiful and glamorous for months.
Weave Washing
As for all extensions, it is recommended that you use very mild shampoos. Anything with too many chemicals in it is not very good for the extensions and should be avoided. A good example of a mild shampoo is a baby shampoo or special ones made specifically for weaves. Also, check that the product you¡¯re using is sulfate free because sulfate is not good for extensions.
When washing your weave, it is important to do it thoroughly, but gently at the same time. You should get shampoo everywhere, especially around your scalp area where the braids are. Scrub lightly in order to make it perfectly greasy-free and clean. Because of the braids and extensions, the scalp area may be hard to reach but if you wait for a couple of moments, the shampoo will get in there. Don¡¯t forget to wash your ends as well. Rinse thoroughly because shampoo residue can have the same effect as dirty hair.
Applying a leave-in conditioner is a must because it nourishes and protects your weave. There are so many to choose from, but all of them do the job well. Apply it only at the bottom part of your weave, avoiding the scalp and leave in about ten minutes. Rinse out thoroughly again.
Weave Drying
When it comes to drying your weave, you probably assume that¡¯s it¡¯s best to leave it to air dry and you would be right. Drying your weave naturally is the best thing you can do, but of course, that takes a lot of time, especially when your locks are so thick and voluminous. Try to plan washing your extensions so that you have a couple of hours for drying, but when you¡¯re on a tight schedule, you¡¯re going to have to use a blow dryer. As we said before, heat is not good for weaves and should be avoided as much as possible. And again, applying a heat protectant can make a big difference. And since you can also change the heat setting on a blow dryer, set it on low.
Dying a Hair Weave
If the weave is made out of real human hair, it can be dyed the same way as real strands. Dying is great if you need to the extensions to blend better or if you simply want to change your look. But as you know with your natural locks, too much dying or bleaching can dry out and damage hair. The same goes for a weave so don¡¯t overdo it.
