Weave Tips | How To Take Care Of Your Sew-In

How To Take Care Of Your Sew-In

Yes, I do wash my hair while in a sew-in!!!


But since you asked me, I'll go ahead and write out what I do. Now, although this is a protective style, I do not let my head go itchy and nasty while wearing my sew-in. NO MA'AM!


When my natural coils are out, I enjoy a good co wash weekly. For my long-term style, I'm cleansing my scalp and washing my weave weekly.

Wash Day

Pre-poo
Coconut oil
I absolutely love what coconut oil does for my natural hair, so I'm going to use coconut oil for my braiding foundation and my weave. This will soften my weave as well as protect my natural hair from using the ACV as my scalp cleanser.

Cleanse
Apple Cider Vinegar (with water)
I use 1/2 cup of ACV with 2 cups of water. I want my scalp cleanse of product buildup, but also be able to fully rinse out with water. I don't use my shampoo on my braiding foundation to ensure I don't get extra product buildup from not rinsing thoroughly. 

How To Take Care Of Your Sew-In



I split my weave into four sections, making it easier to reach my scalp. I pour the mixture on my scalp, then rub my scalp to loosen up the product buildup. I'm able to use much force without worrying if my braiding foundation would frizz up too much. I have a net over my braiding foundation (which I recommend), which will keep my braiding foundation intact as I cleanse my scalp.

Moisturizer And Seal
Alikay Naturals Leave-In (with water, AVJ, and glycerin)
Coconut oil, JBCO, and 5 drops of lavender essential oil

I put all of these products in one big applicator bottle to make moisturizing and sealing easier and smarter for me. I use these before washing my weave so I won't have to worry about making a mess and causing my weave to be weighed down as I moisturize my hair. The weave is going to be washed anyways. I also use enough to last an entire week, so yay for being smart!!


Wash My Weave
CURLS Creamy Cleanser
Now that my scalp is clean and moisturized, I work on my weave. I use my sulfate-free shampoo to rid the product buildup and oils from the weave. I take a generous amount of shampoo and run it down each section of my weave, then rinse the section under the water. You may notice brownish stuff coming from your hair which can be a mixture of the color and the product buildup, but you know you are doing right.


After my weave is washing, I wrap my hair with a t-shirt to get the excess water out. Then I get ready to blow dry my natural hair and the weave.


Drying

Blow dryer

It is definitely not the best idea to air dry your hair because it can take forever and two days to do so, especially longer for your natural hair. I use a regular blow dryer to get my natural hair dry first, then I work on my weave.

How To Take Care Of Your Sew-In

Make sure to weave your natural hair has dry as possible. You don't want your hair to have a bad, wet smell or create any kind of mold from being wet. It is definitely important to work on your natural hair first before blow drying your weave.

How To Take Care Of Your Sew-In

For example, if your natural hair is still wet but your weave is dry and styled  it serves no purpose! Once you wrap your hair for the night, it is possible that your weave will look wet and oily in the morning because you did not make certain that your natural hair was completely dry.

How To Take Care Of Your Sew-In



Closer Look At Moisturizing And Sealing

After the stylist does your braiding pattern, make sure to look in the mirror to see what pattern you have. Of course, you won't be able to see your scalp once your sew-in is done. However, if you know your braiding pattern, then that will help you when you are moisturizing your hair as well as oiling your scalp.

How To Take Care Of Your Sew-In

I like to use applicator bottles to moisturize and seal my natural hair, so the oil won't go directly on my weave. For my leave-in, I'm using Alikay Naturals Leave-In  (with water, AVJ, and glycerin) that is very light and doesn't produce too much buildup and I'm using a mix of coconut oil, JBCO, and 5 drops of lavender essential oil to seal my hair. 

I do not recommend a spray bottle when wearing a weave.

Styling

There's not too much styling I do to my weave. But I do use light heat on my weave with a flat iron to bump my ends and use the hair dryer to dry my weave from washing weekly. I do suggest to not use heat on your weave too often so your weave won't look so dry. Instead, roller set or braid your weave for different kinds of styles and variations.

Bedtime Routine

I definitely wrap my hair in a "doobie wrap" at night with a silk scarf to keep my weave nice. Sometimes I add a bonnet just for secured purposes, but it's not necessary. As long as you wrap your hair at night (like you should anyways) then the style will hold as long as you want.

How To Take Care Of Your Sew-In

Check out my weave journey:

How To Prep Your Natural Hair For A Full Sew-In

Getting My Full Sew-In Weave With Sensationnel Goddess Select Remi Human Hair Weave -Yaky 


The Journey Of My Full Sew-In Weave 


Questions, Answers, Pros, and Cons of Sew-In With Sensationnel Goddess Select Remi Human Hair Weave -Yaky 


How To Remove Your Sew-in 

Check out more helpful articles about weave maintenance:

Are Sew-In Weaves Bad For Your Hair? 


4 Invaluable Tips To Remember When Caring For Your Weave This Summer 

Natural hair says: even though you have extensions, don't forget to care for your own hair underneath. You are using the sew-in as a protective styling tool, not a 'set and forget' one.

Always Desire Your Natural,

Christina J