How to Care for a Weave

Co-authored by Tiffany Pate and Amber Crain

Last Updated: November 21, 2022 References

When you first get a weave, it always looks and feels great. Routine maintenance can help you keep it looking and feeling great between visits to your stylist. Whether your weave is made of human, synthetic, or virgin hair, the general care is the same. Shampooing every 7 to 14 days and regularly deep-conditioning will keep your weave clean and shiny. Always dry it completely and take steps to protect both your weave and scalp.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Keeping Your Weave Clean

1
Shampoo your hair every 7 to 14 days. Wet your hair with lukewarm water. Pour a dime-sized amount of shampoo into your palm, then massage it into your scalp and through your extension. Be as gentle as possible, since your weave can tangle easily while shampooing.
- If you work out or sweat a lot, shampoo every 7 days. Otherwise, try to go about 14 days between shampoos.
- Opt for sulfate-free shampoos, which are more gentle on your weave and the hair underneath.^{[1]
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- Human and virgin hair weaves should be taken care of as if they were your own hair. Synthetic hair typically doesn't last as long. Consult your stylist to find out how to care for your particular synthetic weave. Some have specific washing instructions.
2
Use a squirt bottle to wash between your braids. Mix shampoo and water into a nozzle bottle and squirt the mixture under and around your braids. Use your fingers to massage your scalp and between braids. Rinse out the shampoo, then repeat this two more times.^{[2]
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- Do not hold your head upside down to rinse, as this can cause tangles.^{[3]
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- After washing, sit under a hooded dryer to let the braids that serve as the foundation to your weave dry fully.
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3
Deep condition exposed or leave-out hair. Keep your leave-out hair — the edges, hairline and part — healthy and unbroken by deep conditioning every time you shampoo. Pour a dime-sized amount into your palms and smooth it over your hair. Rub gently with your fingertips, then cover with a shower cap and wait about 20 minutes.
- If you're having trouble reaching the roots with the conditioner, use a nozzle bottle to help you get into those areas.
- Rinse with warm water and follow with a light, leave-in conditioner.
4
Use an antibacterial weave spray each day. A tight style, such as braids or locks, will take a long time to dry, making it more likely to develop a moldy smell. To prevent mildew from developing, use an antibacterial weave spray. Use after your shampoo and each day before you head out the door.
- Sit under a hooded dryer after washing to keep tight braids from smelling damp or moldy.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Drying and Styling Your Weave

1
Use a wide-tooth comb to detangle. Working with wet, just-conditioned hair will make combing easier. Start combing at the bottom and gently work your way up until the weft is tangle-free. Be very gentle. If you pull too hard, you can loosen the weft and even damage your natural hair to the point it falls out.^{[4]
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2
Dry your hair thoroughly. Weaves can get moldy and smell like mildew if left damp. To avoid this, be sure to dry your completely any time you get it wet. If possible, let it air dry. If you must use a hair dryer, use the lowest heat setting.^{[5]
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- Heat can loosen the bond of your weave, so limit the use of heat-styling tools as much as you can.
3
Apply alcohol-free pomade to your edges. A little bit of light, alcohol-free pomade on your edges will tame frizz and keep your style smooth. Add a small amount of pomade to your palms, then gently smooth it over the edges.^{[6]
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- Avoid using too much product, which could weigh down your hair and make it look greasy.
4
Moisturize your weave daily. To freshen up between shampoos, apply a small amount leave-in conditioner to your weave each day. Massage the moisturizer gently into your scalp and through your natural hair and weft. This will keep your weave untangled and looking shiny.^{[7]
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5
Visit your stylist once a month. Visiting your stylist often for professional maintenance will keep your weave fresh-looking. The stylist will trim any broken hairs, tighten loose braids, and make sure the weft is secure and your natural hair is healthy.^{[8]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Protecting Your Weave

1
Avoid scratching your scalp. Because you are only washing your hair every 7 to 14 days, your scalp might get itchy. Don't use your fingernails or a rat-toothed comb to scratch your scalp, since the skin is fragile and you could end up with scabs. Instead, use soothing oils and massage them gently into your scalp with the pads of your fingers. ^{[9]
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- Mix tea tree oil with grapeseed, olive or coconut oils. Use a nozzle bottle to apply directly to your scalp. The tea tree oil will sooth and refresh your scalp. Don't use too much or your extensions will get oily.
2
Avoid too much heat. When blow-drying your hair, be sure to use a low setting. Too much heat will harm your extensions. Also, avoid flat irons and curling irons. Styling once in a while is okay, but in general, your weave will last longer if you avoid applying heat and let it flow naturally.
- Excess heat can cause synthetic hair to melt or burn. Ask your stylist the best way to dry a synthetic weave.
3
Keep your hair up. To relieve tension on your natural hair, as well as prevent frizz, tie your hair up whenever possible. If you are working around the house, jogging, heading to the grocery or just hanging out, keeping your hair up will allow your weave to look fresher and last longer when you want to wear it down.
4
Cover your hair when sleeping. Wrapping your hair in a scarf at night will prevent it from tangling or getting frizzy and lumpy while you sleep. Any material will work, but many prefer the smoothness of a satin or silk scarf. Using a satin pillow case, with or without a head scarf, will also protect your weave.^{[10]
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5
Braid your hair. An easy way to keep your weave wavy or curly is to braid it at night. Once it is sectioned and braided, tie it up in a head scarf to secure the braids in place while you sleep.^{[11]
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- If you wear your extensions straight, you can simply cover them at night. If you are looking for big, soft curls, use bobby pins to hold pin curls in place under your scarf.^{[12]
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- If you wear your extensions straight, wrap your extensions around your head before putting on a head scarf at night. You can even place the hair in a ponytail, so you won't wake up with tangles.
6
Give your hair a break. Weaves last anywhere from six to 12 weeks, depending on the weave and how well you care for it. When it is time to take out your current weave, be prepared to wait two to four weeks before adding a new one. Your hair needs that break to avoid being permanently damaged.^{[13]
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- You’ll want to thoroughly condition your hair during this time to get it in the best shape to support a new weave.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How long does it take to do a quick weave?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

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This depends on the skill of the person applying the weave and the amount of hair being attached. It usually takes 1-2 hours.
Question

How do I take care of my human hair extensions?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

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You should wash them gently at least once a week and condition them with leave-in every day. Keep them tangle-free and dry.
Question

How long should you keep in a sew-in?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

You can keep it in for up to 2 months. After taking it out, you should wait at least 2 weeks before your next sew-in.

Warnings

Many people use weaves to protect natural hair, but if done wrong or not maintained correctly, they can damage your natural hair, causing breakage and bald patches.^{[14]
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