Caring for your hair while wearing weave, wigs, extensions

So, you want to give your hair (and yourself) a break for a while. No daily styling means quicker out-the-door time and more time spent doing other things.

Maybe you want to have that long down your back flowing hair... instantly. Perhaps you are looking for a solution as you transition to natural hair. Maybe you don’t know what to do with your hair and this is just the easiest way to do your hair right now. 

Whatever your reasoning, you can sport a weave, a wig, or extensions without damaging your hair and end up with healthy hair that has grown. Here are some tips that will help you to care for your hair before installing, while wearing, and after removing wigs, weave, and extensions.

BEFORE

Always make sure your hair is clean and well-conditioned before wearing weave, wigs, or extensions. By making sure your hair and scalp are clean and moisturized, you optimize the length of time you can wear your hairstyle and reduce the chances of hair breakage issues once your own hair is tucked away. 

DURING

Just because your hair is hidden away under a weave, wigs, or extensions doesn’t mean you can neglect it—not if you expect it to continue growing and remain healthy. 

Out of sight, out of mind does not apply to our hair!

Your regular day to day maintenance is very important. Here are some tips to follow to keep your hair moisturized on a regular basis. 

Spritz daily. Lightly spritz your scalp with a water-based moisturizer each day to avoid itchiness and flakes. Make sure not to soak your hair. For extra moisture, you can use a light oil on your scalp. A great option is our Moroccan Mist. It is water-based and contains light oils like Argan and Jojoba, which are natural moisturizers. Argan oil is great at sealing in moisture while Jojoba is excellent for dry scalp since it mimics sebum (the natural oil produced by the scalp). Maintaining a good level of moisture will help prevent hair breakage.

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Wash every 1½  to 2 ½ weeks - Use a clarifying shampoo to wash your hair. It’s recommended not to go longer than 3 weeks without cleansing. Focus on your scalp. Be cautious if using your bare hands so you won’t risk damaging your hair and/or messing up your hairstyle. You may want to use gloves for better protection from snags but be sure to wear gloves with a smooth surface. You can choose to use a hooded dryer or skip the heat and air dry. Make sure not to gather your hair up into a style if it is not completely dry. It is important to be sure you let your hair dry completely to avoid mildew which can cause more severe problems. 

You might say, “Wash my hair with extensions in!?!?!. You must be crazy!” So many what-ifs might come to your mind. What if my style starts to frizz? What if the extensions loosen up? It is better to cleanse your scalp of buildup and deal with minor issues which can be fixed than to end up with a matted mess of damaged hair at the end of your hair hiatus.

AFTER

Know when to part with your hair. The recommended time to keep weave and extensions in may vary but the general recommendation is not to exceed a maximum of 8 weeks. When it is time to say bye-bye to your weave or extensions you will know. Pay attention to your scalp. It will give signals indicating when it has had enough (e.g. itchiness and irritation that won’t go away). You will also notice your hairstyle becoming loose due to the amount of new growth underneath. 

Be gentle. When the time comes to remove your hair extensions or weave, do it gently. Unbraid your hair gently as well. Finger detangle first with a bit of oil or a light spritz of water. 

Your hair will shed so don’t be alarmed. We shed hair daily, and you will have plenty collected over the timeframe you’ve not worn your natural hair so just take it easy and detangle slowly. 

Gently wash your hair in sections. After washing, deep condition your hair.

For added protection, use a heated bonnet, or wear a plastic cap and wrap with a towel to let your natural body heat do its work.

Give your hair a break. Wait at least 1 week before re-installing weave or extensions so your scalp and hair can recover. As much as you may want to wear weaves, extensions, and wigs continuously, this step helps ensure a healthy scalp and hairline.

Remembering the tips included in this article will help you maintain healthy hair that will grow and look amazing when you remove your weave, extensions, or wigs.