If you installed extensions for the holidays, you might find that your month old install needs a quick rescue from funky smells, scalp itching, and scraggly looking edges.
Here are some tips to help you battle these common nuisances and keep your
install on point for the next few weeks.
We (Don't) Want The Funk
Unpleasant
odors emanating from your install develop when the tracks beneath
your extensions are not frequently cleaned and/or not properly dried.
In order to get optimum cleansing when washing your install, shampoo your tracks twice before applying a moisturizing conditioner. After rinsing out the conditioner, use a blow dryer or sit under a hooded dryer for ideally 30 minutes—focusing the heat stream on the hair tracks.
In order to get optimum cleansing when washing your install, shampoo your tracks twice before applying a moisturizing conditioner. After rinsing out the conditioner, use a blow dryer or sit under a hooded dryer for ideally 30 minutes—focusing the heat stream on the hair tracks.
If
you're planning to get active for the new year, then your
install will require more frequent washing. Schedule at least one
wash per week and follow up with ideally 30 minutes of drying.
Furthermore, after each exercise session, dry your sweat dampened
tracks with a blow drier set to cool or low heat in order to prevent
the formation of mold on your braids.
SOS! This Itch!
Scalp
itching can become increasingly intense the longer you wear your
install. Common culprits responsible for itching include the use of
mineral oils, petrolatum, and heavy oils (for e.g. castor oil) on the
scalp and the general buildup of dirt/grease/bacteria on the hair scalp.
Quick
fixes to alleviate itching include washing hair with a clarifying
shampoo that has tea tree oil—which is a natural antiseptic and
antifugal treatment. Additionally, avoid moisturizing tracks 
with
products containing mineral oils/petrolatum (for e.g. Doo Gro Growth
Stimulator, Blue Magic Hair Oil). Instead use products such as pure
shea butter or pure avocado oil—only applying them to hair tracks
not the scalp.
with
products containing mineral oils/petrolatum (for e.g. Doo Gro Growth
Stimulator, Blue Magic Hair Oil). Instead use products such as pure
shea butter or pure avocado oil—only applying them to hair tracks
not the scalp.
Slicking Down The Scraggle Monster
Remember
when your install was fresh and your edges lay perfectly? Recapture
that magic and ditch the scraggly edges by applying a good deep
conditioner and leave in conditioner to your edges. This will ensure
that the hair edges are soft and malleable; thus, well prepped for the
application of edge control gels.
When
choosing an edge control gel, choose a brand that does not have
alcohol in the ingredient list (as alcohol dries out and breaks the
hair edges). Additionally, use your finger or a soft tooth brush to
apply the control gel instead of hard bristle brushes—which can tear up your edges
and contribute to a receding hairline.
