How to Deal With an Itchy Weave

The tight braids used to sew in a weave can cause a dry scalp and itching.

A hair weave consists of tracks of hair sewn into cornrow braids and blended with areas of natural hair. With the natural hair tied up in tight braids that are hard to wash, itching can be a problem. If pulled too tight, the braids can pull on the scalp, causing dryness and itching. And with no way of falling, the naturally shedding hair can cause dirt and oils to build up, also causing the scalp to itch. It's important to keep the scalp healthy and moisturized while wearing a weave to prevent itching.

Things You'll Need

• Shampoo
• Hair oil or moisturizer
• Straw tip for hair-oil bottle or hair-oil spray bottle.

Instructions

1. Wash your hair no more than once a week. The natural oils that the hair produces are important for keeping the scalp moisturized. Washing the hair more than once a week may contribute to drying out the scalp and causing it to itch.

2. Part your hair in 1-inch sections. Put hair oil on your scalp in each "part," around the entire scalp. Try not to get oil in the hair; it should be applied only on the scalp.

3. Use a straw tip underneath the weave to apply oil to the part of the scalp covered by braids. Put the straw tip in the braid, close to the scalp, and squeeze or spray the oil.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a leave-in, extra-moisturizing conditioner to help trap moisture and prevent a dry scalp.

• Don't scratch an itchy scalp; rather, pat it so you don't loosen or damage the weave.

References

• Clutch; Pat Your Weave Ladies: How to Fight the Itch; Liane Membis; November 2010