Best Steps to cleanse your hair weave after surfing or swimming

The most logical choice I've made since having an active water sports life is getting a sewn in weave aka protective style. I have 4C hair that is prone to being very dehydrated if I don't keep braids in my hair which locks in the moisture. 

Also with being a hairstylist (from Detroit), turned Black Female Surfer with for 30 years of experience in 3 States specializing in Hair Extensions,  I have had learned a great deal. I love my hair looking good at all times too. 

I love the different curl patterns I get to wear as well as golden toned hair colors that would otherwise cause my natural hair to break. In this post, I'll cover the best steps to have keep your hair weave on point while surfing or swimming. 

Synthetic hair has been my go for the past 15 years now.  It's an excellent for women like myself who love outdoors activities. When it first hit the market, I was featured in a couple of Korean Magazines talking about it. 

Having a private salon suite inside of a beauty supply gave me access to many of the companies that came in to check on their merchandise. They would ask me some questions and seeing that I was very knowledgeable presented a lot of opportunities for me thru the years.  

 I like the price point in addition to the freedom of changing my hair every month. It also  mimics my texture more than human hair. The older it gets the more compliments come in. I'm usually ready to take it out but that's when People tell me they love it. 

Wearing protective styles while surfing or swimming can be the most freeing way to save time with doing your hair and protecting it from the sun and heat damage. As I've mentioned in a few of my post being a hairstylist who's specialized in hair enhancement and natural hair has given me some valuable insight and I'd love to share them with you. 

So I'll be discussing in this blog how you can maintain your sewn in properly as well as keep your hair underneath healthy. The goal here is to preserve your edges , wash your hair regularly and let your hair continue to grow.  

How to Cleanse your Hair Weave after Surfing or Swimming

• Spray Apple Cider Vinegar or Tea Tree Oil between your scalp. It's a natural anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral antiseptic that will remove build-up, dirt, oil and dandruff from your scalp. Also it rids of odors that get trapped between your hair and the weave. 

•  Mix a equal parts of ACV or 10 drops of Tea Tree Oil in a 4 oz spray bottle. Leave on your hair for 5 to 15 minutes (perhaps wrap a towel or plastic cap on your head so it won't drain into your eyes and burn them).

• Rinse with warm water, pre-lather a moisturizing cream shampoo into your hand.

• Do not use a clarifying shampoo that strips all the oils unless you have tape-ins/bonded wefts (typically it will cause excessive tangling).

• Starting from the scalp to the hair ends work your way in between your wefts, gently massaging your scalp. Never rub, roll  or massage the actual hair extensions (this will result into tangling). finger comb the shampoo through your hair as well as taking both palms of your hands and going down the hair. 

• Rinse thoroughly, water should run clear when done. 

• Repeat with cream conditioner (only if 100% virgin human hair) Remy and all other processed hair have closed cuticles therefore will not penetrate into the hair shaft which will cause it to stick on the surface and create a waxy film that may not be able to come off. When it dries, it will give it a dull, subtle straw-like appearance making it stiff.

• When towel drying, merely squeeze the water out of the hair. Do not rub or roll the hair with the towel. 

• Use a detangling leave in conditioner thoroughly saturating it between your scalp and on the hair extensions, more at the root, but depending on how tangled your extensions are use all the way down the strand lightly.

• Comb or brush thru with your wet paddle brush or comb. making sure all tangles are gone. 

• You can braid or twist the hair, let it air dry or you can blow dry the root first all over, then finger comb the extensions while blow-drying. Once it's at least 75% dry you can use a paddle brush.. 

• I usually use about a dime or nickel size of shine serum before and after I air dry my hair  weave when it's wavy or curly. This helps to control the frizz. 

• Do not use a Round Brush to dry your Hair Weave/Extensions, before drying at least 75%. This will pull at the root and loosen it quicker, resulting in having to get them down sooner than expected. Period. 

• Use a heat protectant on your hair weave, even though it's not growing out of your scalp, you still have to treat it as so. 

• Dry style by twisting, rolling or using hot tools to curl and straighten it. 

• Always sleep on a silk or satin pillow or use a bonnet to minimize split ends and dulling the hair texture's appearance. 

 

Finally, I've discovered that wavy to curly synthetic hair textures work best in the Ocean. The curl pattern stays the same and it dries fast. If you need to oil your scalp on a regular basis like I do, it absorbs to where it doesn't look greasy where as human hair would be looking a hot mess. Typically, I recommend doing a new install every 6 to 8 weeks and have your ends clipped. 

There are lots of nourishing and hydrating oils for swimmers and surfers here to utilize with these tips. 

Are you concerned about hair loss? Here's a blog you might find helpful  https://www.creativelycultured.com/2022/03/different-forms-of-alopecia-are-attack.html