How to Shampoo Sewn-in Weaves

Having your hair shampooed is something you should do often, but when you wear a sewn-in weave, getting your hair washed and conditioned can be difficult. It can be costly if you return to the hair salon week after week, but it can also damage your scalp and your extensions if you don’t cleanse the hair. Follow a few tips to learn how to shampoo your sewn-in weave.

Things You'll Need

• Comb and brush
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Handheld dryer

Instructions

1. Separate your natural hair around the perimeter and brush the extensions back.

2. Rinse your hair with warm water while leaning over the sink or in the bathtub, until the perimeter and the extensions are wet to the ends.

3. Take a sizable amount of shampoo and lather your natural hair first. Be sure to lather all of the perimeter in the front, back and sides. Allow to sit.

4. Lather the weave. Starting with the top and working your way to the ends, slowly lather while trying not to tangle the weave. Keep the hair as straight as possible while lathering. Be sure to watch out for thread in the hair and avoid pulling the weave.

5. Apply shampoo to the scalp separating braids. Lather gently as the scalp can be tender.

6. Rinse your hair and repeat, paying extra attention to the perimeter of the weave.

7. Apply conditioner once your hair is rinsed, and then rinse again. Use a generous amount on both the weave and the hairline, as the hairline will remain exposed.

8. Towel the hair dry before attempting to comb through. For your natural hair, use a soft comb or brush to part off the hair into four sections and begin combing with a wide-tooth vent brush starting at the ends of the hair and working toward the scalp.

9. Use a hairdryer on high to dry the extensions. For your exposed natural hair, use a medium heat setting.

Tips & Warnings

• Be prepared to sew in any loose extensions as some tracks can pop or loosen after washing.