Wigs and weaves are a popular way to protect natural hair, but caring for your natural locks underneath is still important. This guide covers everything you need to know to keep your natural hair healthy and strong while wearing best lace wigs or weaves.

Introduction

Protective styles like best lace wigs and weaves give your natural hair a break from daily styling and allows you to experiment with different looks. However, neglecting your natural hair while wearing these styles can lead to breakage, dryness, and damage over time.

With some simple care techniques, you can maintain the health of your natural locks under wigs and weaves. This prevents issues like matting, excessive shedding, and stunted growth when you remove the protective style.

In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn tips for preparing your natural hair before installing a protective style, maintaining your natural haircare routine during the style, and restoring your strands after take down.

Table of Contents

• Pre-Install Hair Prep
• Caring for Natural Hair Under Wigs
• Caring for Natural Hair Under Weaves
• Post-Install Hair Recovery

Pre-Install Hair Prep

Properly preparing your natural hair before braiding it underneath a wig or weave is key to maintaining the health of your strands.

Start by clarifying and deep conditioning your hair 1-2 days before installation. Clarifying removes buildup while deep conditioning provides intense moisture.

Next, detangle strands thoroughly with a wide-tooth comb or wet brush. Avoid excessive pulling or tugging.

Style hair into neat, tight cornrows or plaits to keep hair stretched and minimize friction. Use a moisturizing gel to smooth flyaways.

Lastly, protect braided hair with a satin cap before wig or weave application. This prevents damage from friction and pulling.

Caring for Natural Hair Under Wigs

Wigs allow you to switch up styles often without manipulating your natural hair. But some maintenance is still required.

Wash hair weekly or biweekly. Sweat, oils, and dirt buildup can irritate the scalp and stifle growth. Use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner.

Avoid sleeping in wigs. The friction can cause breakage. Remove wigs nightly and wrap hair in a silk scarf.

Moisturize edges daily with an oil or pomade. Friction from brushing and styling makes edges prone to breakage.

Gently detangle natural hair before washing. Use a pre-shampoo treatment to loosen knots and make detangling easier.

Caring for Natural Hair Under Weaves

Maintenance under weaves and sew-ins is also essential since hair is immobile for weeks.

Shampoo hair weekly or biweekly. Use a moisturizing, residue-free formula to prevent buildup and dryness.

Re-moisturize hair midweek. Spritz braids lightly with a water/leave-in mix to boost moisture.

Avoid heavy manipulation like brushing. Only use wide-tooth combs and detangle gently to prevent breakage.

Seal moisture in braids with an oil like black castor oil. The protective layer prevents water loss.

Post-Install Hair Recovery

Your natural hair needs some TLC after being tucked away in protective styles.

Do an intensive deep conditioning treatment after take down to restore moisture and suppleness.

Trim away any split or damaged ends to encourage healthy new growth.

Avoid any chemical processes or heat styling for 2-4 weeks post-take down.

Style hair in low-manipulation styles like twists or buns while hair recovers.

Use strengthening treatments weekly, like rice water rinses, to boost elasticity.

Be gentle and patient with your natural hair. It takes time to bounce back from a long protective style stint.

Conclusion

With some forethought and simple maintenance, you can keep your natural hair healthy and strong under protective styles. Clarify, condition, and moisturize hair thoroughly before and during the style.

Avoid excessive manipulation like brushing, heat styling, and tugging at hair. Handle strands gently to prevent breakage.

After take down, nurture hair back to optimal health with deep treatments, low manipulation and plenty of TLC.

By following these tips, you can enjoy the versatility of wigs and weaves without compromising the integrity of your natural locks.