6 Ways to Get Comfortable Wearing Your Natural Hair Again after a Weave

Weaves* give us the ability to try new styles without commitment and damage to our hair. Unfortunately, unless the hair is properly cared for during and after the weave has been removed, we can subject our hair to considerable damage.

I have personally worked with clients that thought that their hair could never grow beyond a certain length only to grow hair that was well on its way to waist length! Many would go back to bad habits of using excessive heat or neglect to properly prepare their hair for physical activity or bed.

As a hairdresser, I once went to a client’s home to take away her “heat!” I placed the flat irons* and curling irons* in a bag, secured them my car’s trunk and didn’t give them back until we both felt assured that she knew how to properly implement heat into her maintenance routine.

Had she demanded them back I would have given them to her, but she loved her length too much and wanted to maintain it. Granted, it was an extreme measure but I placed healthy hair as a priority for all my clients and asked that they remain as dedicated.

Therefore, before the weave is removed, it is imperative that the person takes haircare and maintenance into consideration.

If you are not properly prepared for how you will style and maintain your natural hair. Once the weave* is removed, it will cause frustration that leads to poor hair care decisions that will lead to damage.

To feel comfortable wearing your own hair again you must ensure that it is healthy and properly prepared to style; this will ensure that the transition back to wearing your own hair will be pleasurable!

1. Treat and Condition immediately

First, you must consider how long you have worn your weave* and how it was maintained in the weaved hairstyle. I have done weaves* on individuals that get relaxers and conditioning treatments when touch ups are needed before reinstalling a weave.

For those that have natural hair, the maintenance is to shampoo and deep conditioner* the hair prior to installing a new weave. Regardless of whether your hair has been relaxed or natural, a deep conditioning* treatment is mandatory.

If you have neglected your hair with each installation, you must begin treating the hair prior to the final removal. I would suggest delaying the removal if the hair has been neglected, so that your hair is properly prepared.

As soon as the weave* is removed, a scalp evaluation should be done and if the scalp is dry, do a hot oil treatment or prepoo before shampooing and conditioning the hair.

The conditioning treatments should include a protein treatment followed by a moisturizing treatment or additional hot oil treatment. A clean scalp and conditioned hair is the best foundation to create and sustain your hairstyle! It is like giving an artist a clean canvas!

2. Collect pictures of styles you like or save DIY YouTube tutorials

Consider your lifestyle before deciding on the best style for you. Do you go to the gym frequently? Or do you work in an office environment? It would be ideal to select a low manipulation style that allows you to tuck and pin your hair daily so that sweating at the gym or the environment will allow you to maintain a sleek look.

If you have a difficult time selecting at least two styles to try, ask your hairdresser to assist you. She or He knows your hair and the type of maintenance required for each selected style.

For those that want to transition slowly, consider putting your hair in two-strand twists that allow versatility in both styling and maintenance.

3. Reintroduce yourself to your hair again

Weaves* allow us to forget what our hair likes and doesn’t like. We can be distracted by other’s hairstyles that our hair cannot successfully maintain or adhere to.

This will also give you time to see what type of daily maintenance is required to maintain the moisture level in your hair. I would advise that you use the hair products that you used prior to wearing the weave*.

It isn’t a good time to try new products but if you must, try one at a time to see how your hair reacts. If you use too many products and your hair reacts badly it would be difficult to determine which product needs to be eliminated.

4. Utilize family, friends and coworkers

Styles should be chosen that compliment your features. It is best to have others opinion to ensure that the style works for both our head shape and facial structure.

Family, friends and coworkers can reassure you that the style you chose is suitable for you. The awesome thing is that this frequently happens without us asking.

If nothing is said, do not assume that it isn’t complimentary. Ask for input if it isn’t offered to ensure that the style compliments “you.” Styles should be chosen that compliment your features. It is best to have others opinion to ensure that the style works for both our head shape and facial structure.

5. Maintenance and preparation

Maintain the moisture level as needed for your hair. I suggest that you moisturize when you return home in the evening so that it is dry by morning.

Those with really dense hair should make it a habit to moisturize as soon as you return home after work, rather than wait until right before bed. The style you choose should be easy to maintain daily/nightly when you first began wearing your natural hair again.

A complicated hairstyle will cost you valuable time in the morning before leaving for work. Again, as I mentioned earlier, a low manipulation or protective style is the best choice.

The goal should be to get up and shake your hair and go! If not set your alarm clock for an earlier wake up time to allow you enough time to prepare for work without rushing. Rushing causes undue stress and also poor handling of hair.

6. Hair 911 preparation

Invest in a wig* or half-weave* that matches your hair’s length, color and texture. There are many reasonably priced synthetic options available. If you have a difficult time matching your length, have it cut to your length.

This investment will ensure that you are covered on those inevitable bad hair or bad weather days, by giving you the ability to fully protect your hair and look good while doing it. Hats and scarves are also a good alternative, but may not be appropriate for those with office jobs.

Having a standby is ideal for days that your hair doesn’t want to co-operate. If you have never worn a wig* before, I would suggest taking a friend with you to select one. Most beauty supply stores that sell wigs* also allow you to try them on before purchasing one.