Summer is all about carefree style. When it's hot out, we prefer to stick to the "less is more" approach to our beauty routine. That's just one of the things that makes wearing wigs, weaves, and braids (also known as protective styles) throughout the summer so attractive; they're easy to maintain and give you a break from styling your natural hair. While this certainly makes life easier, it's still important to keep your hair and scalp healthy. We talked with natural-hair experts to get the best tips on how to keep your hair healthy and strong all summer long.
Do the research to figure out which protective style will work best for your lifestyle and hair type.
This is especially important if you are new to the world of wearing wigs, weaves and braids. Much like choosing a haircut, you want to find the best style that complements your overall style and is easiest on your natural hair texture. "No matter what time of year, it is best to choose a protective style that doesn't overly stress your own hair," advises Lisa Price, founder of Carol's Daughter. "For example, I have a small spot on the top of my head that is thinner than the rest of my head—it is a hereditary thing on my mother's side of the family—so I choose styles that allow that to be what it is and not make it worse."
Anthony Dickey, hairstylist and owner of New York–based Hair Rules Salon, emphasizes that it's important to identify your curl type first, since not all hair weaves work for all hair types. "There are as many hair textures as there are shades of people," says Dickey. "The [curl] grading system can help to determine how these terms apply to your texture and not someone else's."
Prep your natural hair before getting weaves or braids.
"When it comes to caring for your hair, prior to installing a protective style you have to take extra precautions to assure the right amount of moisture is in your natural hair," says Maria Antoinette, Cantu global artist. Make sure that your hair is clean first using a clarifying shampoo (like Ouidad Superfruit Renewal Clarifying Cream Shampoo) to get rid of any leftover residue from styling products. Then deep-condition your hair with a mask (Antoinette suggests Cantu Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque for Hair). For an extra moisturizing bonus, apply a plastic cap and sit under a steamer or heated dryer for about 15 minutes in order to let the product fully penetrate the hair shaft.
If your hair is on the kinkier side, Dickey advises applying a golf-ball-size amount of your favorite leave-in conditioner and coconut oil to freshly cleansed and conditioned hair. Then blow out your hair using a blow-dryer and comb attachment before getting braids or adding in weaves. "The tighter your hair texture, the more required it is to prep your hair before you braid up or add in any weave," Dickey says.
Don't keep protective styles in for too long.
"Keeping styles in too long without giving hair a break is the biggest mistake women make while wearing protective styles," says Tippi Shorter, Aveda global artistic director for textured hair. Shorter advises not wearing braids or weaves longer than six to eight weeks without taking it down and giving your hair and scalp a break. After having the style removed, schedule an appointment with your hairstylist for a trim. Also, remember never to sleep in wigs and be sure to remove them daily in order to give your scalp a chance to breathe.
Keep your natural hair and scalp well cleansed and moisturized while wearing protective styles.
Shorter suggests using a dropper to apply an oil like the Aveda Dry Remedy Daily Moisturizing Oil directly to the scalp. Use a light oil spray (like the OGX Coconut Oil Weightless Hydration Oil) to hydrate strands that are in braids or locs. Keep your weaves and braids clean by spraying weekly with a dry shampoo (we like Batiste Dry Shampoo) and keep your scalp clean with a specially formulated shampoo, like Organic Root Stimulator Herbal Cleanse Hair and Scalp Cleanse Shampoo.
Avoid jumping into the ocean.
According to Pantene stylist Kim Kimble, wigs and weaves don't do well in salt water. "It dries the scalp and mats the hair, [which can lead to] dryness and breakage," says Kimble.
Protect your edges.
Tight weaves and heavy braids can lead to traction alopecia, a type of progressive hair loss caused by putting the hair under constant strain or tension. "There is no coming back from tension alopecia," says Lisa. "When the follicle comes out at the root, there is nothing else to do. That hair isn't coming back, so don't let anyone braid the hair too tightly along the hairline." Just like your scalp, it's important to also keep your edges well maintained and moisturized with conditioner (like Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Edge Control Smoother)
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