STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Before you install that weave, do the following!
You all know I recently installed a weave.
I had asked my friend Abike two months prior if she would install it for me.
Abike is a seasoned bridal hairstylist with over 20 years of experience in installing weaves, and her particular expertise lies in weaves with leave-outs!
Equally important, Abike was among the first cohort of my hair course! She took my course in 2019 and has gone on to achieve phenomenal healthy hair for her daughter.
So, I was comfortable with her knowledge of how to handle hair without compromising its health.
If you don’t have access to someone like Abike, whose work and experience you are familiar with, I would suggest you go by recommendation or seek out healthy hair salons.
Additionally, have a conversation with your hairstylist.
I did an Instagram Live where Abike and I talked through the installation process and how to care for your hair before and during the installation.
You can listen to the Instagram Live here.
To recap and summarise, do the following to ensure your hair and scalp health are not compromised.
Proven Steps to Maintaining Hair and Scalp Health While Installing Weave
1. Ensure you wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo. Your hair is going to be in a protective style for at least 4 weeks, so you need your strands and scalp to be squeaky clean.
2. Condition with a high-quality deep conditioner, leave-in conditioner, and seal your hair with a great oil.
3. Make sure you use an extra dollop of leave-in conditioner and oil because your hair will be tucked away for a while. This will prolong the moisture retention and conditioning agents in your hair.
4. Make it clear to your stylist that you prioritize scalp and hair health over the longevity of the weave. Some stylists will install weaves tightly because they want the weave to last for months! I wouldn’t be keeping mine in for longer than 4–6 weeks.
5. Ask the stylist what braiding pattern they will use, and ask them to avoid anything that puts tension on your edges.
6. Remember that the hair on your edges is likely to have less density than other areas, so even a little hair loss will be super noticeable. Prevention is better than cure. One bad installation can really set you back.
7. Make sure you communicate with your stylist as you go along. Speak up early if it is too tight.
I was lucky to have Abike, who is very gentle, and she kept asking me throughout the process.
When one area felt just ever so slightly tight, I told her immediately, and it was rectified. Speak up! You should feel no discomfort or pain—absolutely zero pain.
Think about your style prior to installing it. Will you be having a leave-out?
If your leave-out does not match your texture, it could be problematic.
If you are trying to straighten your hair every other day to match the silky texture, you will destroy your hair, to be blunt. Unless your hair is relaxed
Be realistic! You are taking a risk sewing something onto your head!
Some hair loss is inevitable! Some breakage is inevitable, especially if your hair is fine and long.
I will argue this point to my grave! But in the hands of a great stylist, this will be minimal.
What is your thoughts?