Spring is finally here, the time when you want a new summer look, or wear “ protective” styles (braiding, weaves etc) to keep from having to do our hair or your going on vacation to your favorite place but don’t want to be a slave to your hair, I totally understand.
Are these styles really protecting our hair? Or are we doing more damage to it by leaving them in all summer and not taking care of our scalp and hair. Bacteria, breakage and scalp irritation is what we see when our clients return to their regular scheduled appointments at the end of the summer.
Here are a few tips to support a healthy hair & scalp during the Summer
Start by having your hair shampooed, deep conditioned and put a moisturizing leave in cond in before you have your protective style done.
- If you are going to wear braids make sure they are not to tight, or too long because they can break at the root and get heavy which can damage the hair follicle and cause thinning.
- Do not wear style for more than 4 weeks. Sweat and dampness from water creates a great environment for fungus and bacteria on the scalp.
- Clean scalp daily with an astringent (example witch hazel) infused with Tea Tree essential oil, Coconut or Jojoba oil to help prevent bacteria growth.
- Shampoo with a clarifying shampoo after each time swimming & sweating.
- Shampoo especially if you are going to swim in chlorine, it can cause breakage and dryness .
- If you are going on a vacation, remove it remove the style, shampooed & deep conditioned when you return.
- Do not relax your hair before getting weave or braids this can cause permanent damage to the hair and hair follicles. Rule of thumb: 6-8 weeks after your last relaxer is the safest time to braid because you should have sufficient new growth.
- Make your appointment with your stylist for the next four weeks to restore your hair..
- Bonus, style your own natural hair to protect it 😊.
