One of the things I love most about being natural is the versatility it provides! Since I big chopped almost two years ago, learning what my hair needs and becoming familiar with what works best for my curl pattern has been a journey. Lately, I have been enjoying getting out of my comfort zone and trying new hairstyles and protective styles, such as headwraps, braids, and sew-ins, which are my favorites.
Image Source: @queensconquer
To get the most out of a protective style, it’s very important to maintain a wash routine and take care of your scalp and natural hair. Keep reading as I share my wash day routine while wearing a sew-in and the do’s and do n’ts of rocking in a protective style.
1. A clean scalp is essential
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When wearing a sew-in, you want to be sure you’re still cleansing your scalp regularly. Thankfully, I found a new protective styles line called Girl + Hair, and it really came through in the clutch while I wore my sew-in for six weeks. What I loved most about this line is that the entire collection is specifically made for protective styles. The line is sulfate, alcohol, and paraben-free, plus all of the products have nozzles, which make it very easy to apply directly to my scalp.
While wearing my sew-in, I washed my hair weekly, and my routine consisted of the Girl + Hair Cleanser, which has a great lather and refreshing peppermint smell that immediately made my scalp feel fresh and clean.
Tip: Lift the extensions at the base and get underneath the braid. I would follow up with the Girl + Hair ACV Rinse, which was essential for weeks in which I worked out several times to remove product build-up without stripping my hair.
2. Wash on time
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A big mistake some curlies make is thinking they can treat their extensions more like braids and not wash them for an extended period. While certain protective styles let you extend the break between wash days up to two weeks, the extensions and your scalp should be washed more regularly when wearing a sew-in. A good rule of thumb is to wash your sew-in every seven days, with 10 days being the absolute maximum.
Tip: After you clean your scalp, deep condition your extensions to keep the hair soft and tangle-free and to revitalize the curl pattern.
3. Oil is your friend
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I never understood the importance of oiling my scalp until I wore protective styles. I used the African Pride Moisture Miracle Strengthen & Protect 5 Essential Oils, which has a blend of oils such as castor, shea, Abyssinian, and olive oil. I would keep this on hand whenever I got that weave itch, and it most definitely cured the itch – if you wear weaves and extensions, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Instead of patting my head or using a rat tail comb, I’d apply some oil to my scalp, instantly soothing it.
Tip: Fight the urge, and don’t scratch under your braids, as this will loosen them. Oil your scalp daily to cure the itch.
4. Massage the scalp along the tracks
Massage your scalp along the tracks to encourage hair growth. With proper circulation, your scalp will feel healthy and encourage new hair growth.
Tip: Make sure you massage with the tips of your fingers, not your nails! You don’t want tiny scratches on the surface of your scalp, which can harbor bacteria.
5. Don’t wear your sew-in for more than 6-8 weeks
Image Source: @queensconquer
I can speak from experience that it’s best not to wear your sew-in for more than 6-8 weeks. After wearing a sew-in for almost three months, I’ve taken my hair down before, only to be left with a matted mess and an extremely dry scalp. Don’t make my mistake; believe me, it’s not worth the pain and misery. After you take down your sew-in, let your hair breathe for at least two weeks before trying another protective style.
Tip: Invest in quality hair, wash it, and save it for your next hairstyle.
How do you wash your hair when you have a sew-in? Let me know in the comments below.
