Using a braided hair piece is a way to change a look quickly and easily. This type of hair extension needs to be cared for properly to ensure that it stays looking good for as long as possible. Oil-based products can safely be used on them to keep the extensions from drying out. An astringent is another good choice to use when caring for a braided hair piece.
This type of hair piece is attached to the wearer’s natural hair. Available in a number of different thicknesses, braided hair pieces should be removed from the wearer’s head after a few weeks. Leaving a piece in place longer than that may make it difficult to remove the braid from the wearer’s hair. If the braids cannot be taken off the head easily, they may need to be cut free.
A braided hair piece can be washed with a mild shampoo. Using them on the scalp can lead to itching, but using a shampoo containing tea tree oil can help to control this symptom. The shampoo should be applied to the scalp first and the tips of the fingers can be used to give it a gentle massage.
The next step in caring for a braided hair piece is to work a small amount of the shampoo down toward its end. Rather than applying the shampoo directly to the scalp, a better choice is to place it in the hand and mix it with a small amount of water first. This strategy will help the wearer to avoid getting a blob of shampoo in one part of the scalp and will make it easier to rinse out the shampoo from the hair.
After the hair has been washed, it must be rinsed thoroughly. The wearer should allow several minutes to get all of the shampoo out of the braided hair piece. Skimping on this step can lead to shampoo residue being left on the scalp, which may cause itching after the hair has dried.
The hair piece can be squeezed gently before getting out of the shower to remove as much excess water as possible. Then the hair should be gently towel dried to avoid disturbing the braids. An alternative to using a traditional shampoo on a braided hair piece is to apply an astringent to a cotton ball and dab it onto the hair to remove any excess oil in between washings.
