Deep Conditioning Your Weave

As we end the month of December and the year of 2013, we can reflect on all the knowledge we have learned, the scientific jargon to go with it, and "see" how the health of each hair cuticle contributes to the overall health and shine of the hair on our head.

With that in mind, let us tackle another popular question that my customers have when buying weave at their local beauty supply store: Will deep conditioning my weave have any affect?

The short answer is yes. The long answer is depends. It depends on the material used for the weave. So for both our sakes, let's only focus on 100% virgin human hair weave.

We know that applying a deep conditioner can penetrate the hair cuticle. This penetration is done by increasing the pH level which forces the hair cuticle to open up. This allows the moisturizers and conditioners to enter the hair shaft and do its magic. To make this task more effective and efficient, we can apply heat to help the cuticles stay open.

Before you get a sew-in, make sure to deep condition the weave. Begin by washing it in warm water. Apply a deep conditioner to the weave from roots to ends. And then place the hair inside a plastic cap or bag. After 10-20 minutes, rinse off any excess conditioner and air dry.

To deep condition sewn-in weave, you again want to wash the weave and braids with warm water. If there is product build-up on the braids, use a clarifying shampoo. Apply the deep conditioner and place a plastic cap over your head with all the weave inside. If you have a hooded dryer, use that otherwise, the body heat trapped by the plastic cap will be sufficient. Rinse and air dry.

Be sure to deep condition your weave every week or two. It will keep that just-got-my-hair-done look lasting a long, long time.

Have a blessed week and a Happy New Year!

-Aly