How to Care Weaves and Hair Extensions.

Weaves and hair extensions are two different techniques of installing hair pieces. Unlike your natural hair, weaves and extensions can't restore themselves once they are damaged. Therefore, taking proper care of your hair pieces is very important to ensure the beautiful longevity of their life. With proper care, your hair pieces can look great and be reused for years.

Step 1

Secure your hair while you sleep. Hair pieces can become easily knotted or tangled at the installation place. Wear a large cotton bandana around your hair while you sleep to avoid excessive friction that might cause damage. Fold the bandana in half dragging one corner to the opposite diagonal corner, creating a triangle. Place the long side of the triangle across the middle of your forehead, continuing around to the middle of the back of your head just beneath all of your hair. Tie a knot underneath your hair to secure the bandana in place. The third tail of the triangle should be hanging over toward the back of your head. Gather all your hair onto your head, within the bandana. Keep the hair in place by tying all three tails together.

Step 2

Wash your hair appropriately. It's best to wash your hair approximately every two days. Washing your hair every day can cause unneeded wear to your hair pieces. In addition, it's important to use shampoos and conditioners that do not contain any detergents or silicones. These ingredients leave excess residue on your hair. In the long run this will cause damage to your hair pieces. Also, detergents will degenerate any glues used during installation, causing your hair pieces to have to be reinstalled sooner. When you're washing your hair, use the tips of your fingers to carefully massage shampoo into your scalp. Be gentle and don't tug or twist to ring out your hair.

Step 3

Use precaution during styling. Gather all of your hair into one hand while brushing with the other hand. This will ensure that you don't cause stress at the installation point. Also, let your hair air-dry rather than using a blow-dryer, and avoid excess heat while using styling instruments. When heat is used, it's best to always apply a heat-protective serum beforehand.

Step 4

Remember to take care of your scalp. When wearing hair pieces it's important to consider the care of your scalp, especially if you have a hair weave. Hair weaves are secured to your natural hair in a fashion that your hair is subjected to product buildup. Use witch hazel in-between washings to cleanse your scalp and natural hair. Witch hazel will also correct your skin's natural PH balance, allowing your scalp to produce the adequate amount of natural oils necessary to maintain a healthy appearance. Rub witch hazel between your hands, and use your fingers to massage the product within your hair into your scalp. Repeat as often as necessary.

Step 5

Schedule regular visits with your beautician. Follow your beauticians advice on guidelines to how often you should schedule a maintenance visit. You will need to retighten your weave or apply new extensions as your hair grows out. Regular visits will keep your hair in good shape.

This Article is transcribed from article of H.C. Hisel at happynews.com. Go to the original article.

Information for Hair Braiding and Extensions (2)

Continued from last post....

Hair Braiding and Extensions

If you are still hesitant about braiding your hair, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Is my hair breaking or brittle?

2. Are my ends split?

3. Is my hair permed?

4. Have I undergone any of the following chemical processes in the past six months: bleaching, frosting, streaking, or highlighting? (Unprocessed henna is not a chemical process)

5. Is my skin sensitive?

If you have answered yes to at least two of the five questions, consult a professional.

It is important to understand that braiding the hair to tight is harmful to both the hair and the scalp. If the hair is braided so tight that you can see the hair pulling away from the scalp, then that is way too tight, resulting in discomfort to the patron and can result in the entire hair shaft including the root (papilla) to be pulled out of the follicle (the opening in the scalp that the hair grows out of). When this happens, it is rare that another hair shaft will grow from that follicle ever again.(tension alopecia) Another situation that can occur is the possibility of the patron's own hair being durable enough to support the weight of the added hair. This is generally caused from medical or medications that weaken the anchoring of the hair to the papilla and/or follicle resulting in the hair shaft to easily pull from the scalp. You can tell when hair is coming from the scalp instead of breaking from the middle shaft or ends. The end that came from the scalp will have a white tip. This is because hair does not get its color until it emerges from the scalp and is exposed to the air. A simple test that you can execute to determine the strength of the hair, is to take a few strands of hair at the ends between your thumb and fore finger, give a slight but quick yank. The area of breakage (if any) will determine if the hair is strong enough to with stand the service Not only for adding hair, but also for any other hair changing service that you may offer. If the breakage is on the ends, split ends cause this. You can correct this by just cutting off the split ends. If the breakage is some where along the middle shaft, this is due to weak hair usually caused by chemical treatments or excessive thermal usage.

To correct this, it will necessitate at least two (2) heat activated conditioning treatments to repair. The treatments should be spaced at least five (5) days apart, and the service done five (5) days after the last treatment. But if the hair is from the scalp, this is a medical problem that can only be addressed by a doctor or dermatologist.

VISIT OUR COZY SHOP, EBONICHAIR.COM.

This Article is transcribed from article of Dr. Edward Tony Lloneau on BNB Magazine.

Fruitful Information for Hair Braiding and Extensions (1)

Hair Braiding and Extensions

There are numerous reasons why people may be reluctant to have their hair braided. For the most part, anyone with healthy or slightly damaged hair that is long enough to grasp (at least one inch) can wear his or her hair braided without fear of it falling out. An individual who has badly damaged, weak hair should consult a hair specialist prior to having their hair braided. However, have no fear. Work with your damaged hair, conditioning it regularly and trimming all damaged ends. Braids work wonders on concealing uneven ends and actually help promote growth since chemical relaxers and daily combing are not required.

Below are listed the most common given reasons why women refuse to wear braids. The most common fallacy is people believing that braids cannot be shampooed. Braided hair must definitely be shampooed; however, care must be taken, especially with cornrow hairstyles.

My hair is too short. If your hair is at least an inch long, it is not too short Braids are becoming at any length.

I can't wear them at the job. Employers are not realizing that braids are here to stay Avoid gaudy beads and sloppily braided hair. Your hair is an essential part of your daily grooming.

Permed hair can't be braided. Yes, it can. Avoid tightly braided styles. Perms do tend to weaken the hair; however, if a competent hairdresser has been caring for your hair, there is no reason why it can't be braided.

My face is too fat. As with any other hairstyle, you will have to experiment until you find a style that compliments your facial contour.

Braids are too casual. When was the last time you looked in fashion magazines? Braids are extremely versatile. Entertainers have been wearing them for years. (Stevie Wonder, Cecily Tyson, Valerie Simpson-Ashford, Roberta Flack, to name a few).

Braids are for the younger women but I'm over forty. You're never too young or too old to wear braids. There are literally hundreds of braided hairstyles to choose from. Find a classic style. Don't attempt to wear the same style your teenage daughters are wearing unless you feel comfortable with it.

My hair is too fine. Many customers have fine hair and they enjoy wearing braids.

My hair is too straight. Straight hair can be braided successfully; however, the ends may need to be secured.

My hair is too thin. A lot of scalp may not look appealing; nonetheless, you do have the option of having additional hair braided into your own known as "extensions." This would eliminate thinness.

My hair will fall out. Braiding your hair will not cause it to fall out. If it does, chances are it was falling out before it was braided. Braided hair requires a minimum of daily care. Approximately 200 to 300 strands of hair are normally shed daily. If excessive hair loss is experience, consult a dermatologist or licensed cosmetologist. 

VISIT OUR COZY SHOP, EBONICHAIR.COM.

This Article is transcribed from article of Dr. Edward Tony Lloneau on BNB Magazine.