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A sew-in weave is a great way to instantly transform your look. But how do you make sure it stays in tip top shape for as long as possible? With the right care and maintenance, a sew-in can keep its freshness for months.
Proper washing techniques and scalp care are key. Follow styling tips and get regular maintenance visits – this guide covers everything so you can enjoy healthy hair from root to tip.
Take control of your beauty routine. Gain back control over your tresses and keep your sew in looking good with these tips on proper care and maintenance.
Table Of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Proper care and maintenance are essential for keeping a sew-in looking good.
- Regularly shampoo and condition the scalp and weave to keep them clean and moisturized.
- Use oils and hair masks to keep the scalp and weave hydrated.
- Protect the hair at night with a silk scarf and anti-frizz serum to prevent frizz and maintain the style.
What is a Sew-in Weave?
If you’re new to sew-in weaves, don’t worry. With proper care and maintenance, that sew-in will have you looking great from install to takedown. A sew-in weave involves braiding your natural hair into cornrows first, then sewing hair extensions into the braids using a needle and thread.
Sew-ins allow you to switch up hair length, color and texture. They can last 6-8 weeks with proper care. Be sure to maintain moisture in both your natural hair and the extensions, gently wash and condition weekly, avoid too much tension on the braids, and see your stylist regularly for maintenance.
With some TLC, your sew-in will keep you looking fabulous for weeks.
Proper Washing and Conditioning Techniques
Proper washing and conditioning are key to caring for your sew-in weave and keeping your hair healthy and weave looking its best. Gently massage shampoo into your scalp, then apply conditioner to detangle strands and boost moisture before carefully drying your weave.
Varying your washing technique and using conditioner helps maintain the health of your natural hair while keeping your weave clean and tangle-free.
Shampoo and Massage Scalp
You need to gently shampoo and massage your scalp biweekly, friend, or you risk damaging your natural hair underneath. Start by working a pea-sized amount of moisturizing shampoo into your scalp first to loosen dirt, debris, and buildup – take your time here! Massage in circular motions with fingertips to stimulate the scalp.
Then, work down the length of the hair. Rinse thoroughly. Follow with a hydrating conditioner to replenish moisture, detangle strands, and control frizz.
Condition and Untangle
Once conditioned, gently finger detangle the weave with a wide-tooth comb, taking care not to snag or pull the hair. Thoroughly saturate weave bundles and leave-out hair with a moisturizing conditioner, concentrating on mid-lengths and ends.
Massage the conditioner into the hair for complete penetration. Use a wide-tooth comb starting at the ends to gently finger detangle. Avoid excessive pulling to prevent shedding. Conditioning provides needed moisture and suppleness for combing extensions.
Regular conditioning maximizes moisture retention, decreases friction, and prevents breakage for healthy, untangled weave.
Dry Your Weave
Your weave requires sufficient drying after washing to prevent mildew and molding.
- Thoroughly dry your weave using a hooded dryer or cool setting on your blow dryer.
- Part your hair into sections, unraveling any twisted or braided hair, to ensure every strand gets airflow.
- Blot wet hair with an absorbent towel before blowdrying or sitting under a hooded dryer.
- Add a leave-in conditioner or serum for heat protection and easier detangling.
- Use a paddle brush to distribute airflow from your dryer and smooth strands.
Moisturizing and Scalp Care
Surely, moisturizing the scalp is vital for keeping sew-ins fresh and fly. Maintaining scalp hydration beneath your weave is a must for a flawless, lasting look.
Massage hydrating oils like jojoba or coconut oil directly onto your scalp weekly. Dampen your fingertips and work the oil into the roots gently in circular motions.
For deeper conditioning, apply intensive hair masques before shampooing. Look for moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, avocado oil and aloe vera in hair products.
A hydrated scalp equals a healthy weave and your natural hair will reap the benefits too.
A little scalp TLC keeps your weave slaying.
Styling Tips for a Fresh Look
Gotta style your sew-in regularly to keep that fresh look. Using curling rods and pin curls at night helps define your waves without damaging heat.
Avoid over-manipulating hair daily. Apply heat protectant before using hot tools. Opt for loose waves with a curling wand on low heat. Let cool completely before combing out. Doobie wrap hair overnight. This stretches hair for a sleek, smooth style. Use flexi rods or pin curls for defined curls without direct heat.
Allow to set fully. Change parts and style frequently. Braid hair into a updo for versatility.
Keeping your sew-in looking stylish takes some creativity and care for those luscious locks. Don’t overdo it with the hot tools and products so your hair always looks and feels its best.
Regular Maintenance and Professional Visits
Maintaining a fresh sew-in requires repeating your wash routine weekly and booking monthly salon visits for professional maintenance. This regimen keeps your weave clean, tangle-free, and frizz-free while preventing excessive shedding and allowing your natural hair to thrive underneath.
Repeat Wash Routine Weekly
You’ll want to repeat your wash routine weekly to keep that sew-in fresher longer. Give your scalp a gentle massage while shampooing to stimulate blood flow and remove buildup.
After rinsing thoroughly, apply a moisturizing conditioner, focusing on the ends. For a fresh look, switch up your styling using different leave-out parts or curls.
Prevent common issues like tangling, frizz, and itchiness by keeping your weave clean and properly moisturized.
Visit the Salon Once a Month for Professional Maintenance
Girl, that sew-in is gonna turn into a hot mess in no time if you don’t drag yourself to the salon every month for a professional tune-up!
- Check the condition of the edges, braids, and tracks.
- Trim any shedding or split ends.
- Deep cleanse the scalp and weave thoroughly.
- Reseal tracks as needed.
Having a stylist routinely inspect and care for your sew-in keeps it looking fabulous, maximizes longevity, and prevents damage.
How to Prevent Common Issues
To avoid frizz, use a nourishing shampoo and conditioner formulated for chemically treated or damaged hair. Apply conditioner from mid-length to ends, avoiding the roots. Gently detangle with a wide-tooth comb and rinse with cool water.
Look for sulfate-free shampoos to avoid stripping hair, and deep condition weekly to increase manageability. Try protective styles like braids or twists at night and always tie hair up before bed.
Itching and irritation can happen if bonding agents or stitches are applied too tightly. See your stylist if this persists. Meanwhile, massage the scalp with oil to promote blood circulation.
Prevent tangles by using a moisturizing leave-in conditioner and wide-tooth comb. Avoid harsh brushing and rubbing, and tie hair back when exercising or swimming. Regularly trim loose ends and have your stylist tighten any loose tracks. With proper care your extensions can look great for months.
How to Keep Sew-in From Frizzing
Along with consistent moisture, secure your weave at night to control frizzing.
Frizz Prevention Tips
- Sleep with a silk scarf
- Apply an anti-humectant serum
- Avoid direct heat exposure
- Seal in moisture with oil
- Use clarifying shampoo
Humidity enlarges the hair cuticle, resulting in frizz and volume. Counteract unwanted poofing by wrapping strands in a silk scarf before bed. Silk fibers are smooth to limit friction. Additionally, apply an anti-humectant serum containing silicones to coat the hair shaft.
This creates a barrier against moisture. Finally, incorporate clarifying shampoos to remove product buildup contributing to frizz.
How to Keep Sew-in From Itching
Dealing with an itchy scalp under your sew-in can be maddening, so be sure to cleanse regularly and moisturize that sensitive skin to avoid inflammation and irritation. Shockingly, over 70% of women experience scalp itching with a weave, but gentle care prevents this misery.
- Thoroughly cleanse the scalp when washing hair to remove buildup.
- Directly apply moisturizing oils like jojoba or argan oil to the scalp.
- Use a scalp massager brush weekly to stimulate blood flow.
- Sleep with a satin bonnet or scarf to retain moisture.
How to Keep Sew-in From Tangling
Minimizing friction and handling wet hair gently will help prevent tangling of your sew-in. Detangling weave requires extra care – brush from ends to roots with a wide-tooth comb, avoid over-brushing. Sleep with a satin cap and pillowcase; braid hair before bed. Limit heat styling, do not roughly towel dry.
| Prevent bunching | Braid, pineapple, or tie hair down at night |
| Reduce friction | Use a satin pillowcase |
| Finger detangle | Work from the ends to the roots |
| Limit heat styling | Allow hair to air dry naturally |
| Moisturize | Use serum, leave-in conditioner |
Uninstalling Your Sew-in
After 6-8 weeks with your sew-in weave, it’s time for removal! Take out your current style before excessive buildup and matting occur. Book an appointment with your stylist for a proper weave takedown to prevent damage to edges and leave-out hair.
They’ll carefully remove the extensions, starting from the bottom and working up.
Your stylist may recommend oil treatments overnight before your removal appointment to loosen the threads and make takedown easier.
Once all hair has been removed, enjoy having your natural tresses out! Give your scalp some breathing time before the next install.
Now focus on restoring your hair’s moisture.
Conclusion
With the right care and maintenance, your sew-in weave can last up to two months. Regular shampooing and conditioning, moisturizing, and styling can help prevent frizz, itching, and tangling. Visiting a professional cosmetologist for regular maintenance and uninstalling is also important for ensuring your weave looks great.
So why wait? Get the look you want today and keep your sew-in looking good!
