Hair Care Tips

To ensure good hair care quality education is key. It is very important to keep in mind that hair weave is not a magic cure for already damaged hair. It is only an added extension of the beauty that's already there. Virgin hair extensions requires the same amount of TLC that is required for your very own natural hair. Remember longevity depends on your maintenance.

THE INSTALLATION METHOD IS THE NUMBER ONE KEY FOR CARING FOR YOUR WEFT.

HOW TO PREVENT HAIR SHEDDING

We hate to be the bearer of bad news but there is no absolute way to prevent shedding. It does not matter what vendor you purchase your hair from or where. Shedding is inevitable. What you should know is that it is also normal. The natural hair growing out of your very own scalp sheds. What isn't normal is excessive shedding. Thick strands and clumps of hair should not be coming out at every turn. To make sure hair does not shed excessively and is kept to a very light minimal, we strongly encourage you to notify your stylist to follow the key instructions.

o   Do not co-wash hair using shampoo. Use conditioner instead. Shampoos are only meant to clean hair. It does not condition hair. It does not curl hair. It does not straighten hair. It does not soften hair. It does not shine hair. It only cleans the hair; meaning it's role is meant to remove dirt and oil build up from scalp so that hair follicles can grow healthy, that is it. The excessive use of shampoo can actually cause hair to dry, harden and frizz up which leads to breakage and shedding. Conditoners work best because it hydrates hair and moisturizes. It also gives hair more definition and volume. Don't use protein-based conditioners to co-wash, as they can lead to breakage. Stay away from conditioners labeled deep conditioner, deep hydration, or intensive mask. These types of conditioners tend to contain a higher proportion of ingredients that stick to the surface of hair causing build-up. Light based conditioners are best. Make sure hair is saturated with water before applying conditioner.

o   Do not punch needle through the wefts or pierce the wefts during installation; this leads to increase in shedding and lessens the quality of the hair.

o   If you are getting a sewn-in weave, please make sure that your stylist sew in the wefts by looping and tying the weave thread under and over the weft in blanket stitch.

o   Keep the use of curling, flat irons, and other excessive use of heating appliances to a minimum. The more heat you use on virgin hair - the shorter the lifespan. As with your own natural hair, heat causes breakage and shedding. You can safely use heat when you apply a heat protectant to the hair because it will block the high temperatures and prevent hair breakage. Curling irons are not always necessary for styling. Flexi-rod curlers, pillow rollers, and heatless hair setters will set your hair to your perfect desired style without heat. These items can be purchased at your local beauty supply retailer, Amazon.com, Walgreens, Target or Wal-Mart stores.

o   Wear a satin scarf over your hair at night. A secure satin scarf will keep your hair from snagging, drying out and breaking during your sleep.

o   Please use an ionic dryer because it produces negative ions that help to break down water molecules and take less time for the hair to dry at a lower temperature. 

o   Lastly, keep your hands out of your hair. This is the golden rule that mom used to enforce when we were all little girls, and it still applies today. Playing in your hair causes damage. When you are constantly running your fingers and hands through your hair all the time, yanking, and tugging at the weft. Whether or not you realize it - you are pulling your hair out. Although it may take some getting used to, it’s very important to keep your hands out of your hair. Learn to master the art of using wide-tooth combs instead.

DO'S and DON'T'S

o   DO always seal your wefts. This is not an option but rather a priority and should be done prior to any install. (Fray block or fabric glue that dries clear works well.)

o   DO not split the weft. Although many stylists like to do this - please know that splitting wefts are not necessary and will do more harm to the hair than good.

o   DO clip the ends of the hair every 6/8 weeks or at time of re-install

o   DON'T cut the wefts. If you cut the wefts, seal each end with weft glue right away.

o   DON'T use bristle brushes as they tend to latch onto hair fibers and rip them from the weft.

o   DON'T tie your hair back or pin up too tightly and never when it is wet. This pulls and stretches the hair wefts, causing it to shed and split.

AFTER INSTALLATION MAINTENANCE

Because the hair you have purchased is of top virgin quality you must treat it as such, or the result will be dry, dull, tangled, damaged and unmanageable hair. It is imperative to utilized products that restore and maintain virgin hair natural qualities (soft, silk, tangled free)

Sulfate-free and silicone free hair products is a must:

o   We are very anti-chemical. The use of products heavy in sulfates, silicone, parabens, extra proteins and other chemicals are not at all recommended as they result in stripped hair cuticles, excessive dryness, breakage, and even scalp irritation. Examples of shampoos and conditioners that contain sulfates and silicone are: Head and Shoulders, Dove, Herbal Essences, Pantene, etc. We try not to tell anyone what to do. But using conditioners containing such chemicals hurts hair. Most particularly, ethnic hair.

o   We highly recommend liquid gold weft glue for weft sealing or weave bonding.

o   It is only necessary to shampoo once every two weeks. We must reiterate that shampooing is not the most important part of hair washing.

o   ABSOLUTELY NO GREASY PRODUCTS!

o   Greasy products will result in weighed down hair, lost of natural texture and increase chance of tangling.

HAIR PRODUCT SUGGESTIONS

Keeping your hair conditioned regularly helps to avoid excessive use of  hair products. Conditioning your hair is most important. One of the biggest myths about ethnic hair is that you need to have a constant rotation of hair moisturizers, sprays, gels, grease and oils to maintain healthy hair. This is not true. Natural hair is already strong, which is why so many people accidentally abuse it with rough treatment. Believe it nor not; wide tooth combs, natural ingredients such as virgin olive oil, argon oil, a good conditioner and water are the best tools and products for ethnic hair.

Examples of hair conditioners and shampoo products that are silicone and sulfate-free are: 

o   One N’ Only Products (This is my favorite:)

o   Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla or Carol's Daughter Tui Moisturizer

o   Ouidad Curl Co-Wash

o   OrganiX Argon Oil of Morocco or Organix Brazilian Keratin

o   Organic Root Stimulators Curls Unleashed

o   L'Oreal EverCreme

o   Jane Carter Solution

o   Keracare

o   Organix Cherry Blossom Ginseng Shine Spray and Serum (sold separately) apply while hair is wet.

o   Shea Moisture

CONDITION

Use light-based conditioner

Distribute conditioner with wide tooth comb evenly and thoroughly before washing. Do not use your fingers!

Leave on for the duration of bath or shower, then rinse.

Always comb your hair from the bottom up.

SHAMPOO

o   Before shampooing, utilize the wide-tooth combs to ensure tangle free.

o   Use a good amount of shampoo and comb through to distribute from roots to ends

o   Do not pull hair, yank hair, or scrounge hair up in your hands during wash. Rough treatment to hair is not necessary in order to achieve a thorough clean.

o   Shampoo at least once biweekly/triweekly. Every 2-3 weeks. Learn to master the art of conditioning your hair more.