Have you ever installed a new weave, some braids..or even wore a wig and your scalp began to itch immediately??
No matter how many times you scratched, applied braid spray, oiled your scalp, etc.. it just kept itching???
Then keep on reading.
Synthetic hair manufacturers use alkaline and other chemicals on their hair to produce a heat resistant/wear resistant product. Read more about that here.
Although the chemicals are used to "protect" the hair, many people(including myself) have allergic reactions to them.
To prevent any allergic reactions or the "itchies", it is highly recommended that you remove the chemical base.
The best known way to do so is soaking the hair in Apple Cider Vinegar because of the high acidity and powerful enzymes contained in it.
This is how I soak my hair in water mixed with Apple Cider Vinegar:
I fill up the below container(it's just a plastic cover to keep food warm) with some hot water straight from the sink.
After Putting water in the container, I place 1 TABLESPOON of ACV in the water and mix
(Braggs is the best because it contains "the mother", but any ACV will do)
I then place the synthetic hair(in it's original state, elastics and all) in the ACV and Water Mix. I let it soak for 20 minutes. You will start to see a white film lift from the hair. Do not remove the hair until you see that film
 |
| Dramatization (No water and ACV because I'm not braiding my hair until July) |
I then take the container to the sink, and dump all the water/acv out. Rinse the hair one more time with plain water under the sink then squeeze excess water and let air dry.
(I let it hang off my chair and put some plastic on the floor to catch any dripping)
That's it folks!
PS- If you forgot to remove the chemical base on your hair, installed it and your itching like crazy...spray your scalp with a ACV and water. 16 oz of water mixed with 1 tspn of ACV.
Hope this helps!!
Oh my god yesss. This is why I don't wear synthetic wigs anymore. When I got synthetic braids my scalp initially itched like it was covered in poison ivy. Then I found out about vinegar. I used regular vinegar which worked just as well as organic for me. I use my good organic vinegar internally.
ReplyDeleteLol, that's exactly how I used to feel when I got synthetic braids.
DeleteThat's great to know regular vinegar works just as well.
Your blog is so amazing! It's informative, beautifully laid out, and fun to read. For that I'd like to present you with *sounds trumpets* the One Lovely Blog Award!
ReplyDeletehttp://strandedhhj.blogspot.com/2012/04/one-lovely-blog-acceptance.html
Thanks, Tai!!!!!
DeleteBRILLIANT!!!
ReplyDeleteWhen you put up your last post I tried to comment on that using my phone asking for this very post to be next (",) My previous post didn't work - my phone just hates the blogger comments section! But lo and behlold - here is the post that I wanted. I tried to comment earlier this week whilst I was away but again it didn't work.
Anyway - thanks so much for this. Nice, simple instructions and no video to eat up my data allowance when I'm not near my wifi - that's what I am talking about!
Do you know if this method works with curly hair (the type I use for my crochet braids) and also marley braid hair. Will it tangle up before I get a chance to install it?
T
Aww that stinks. One of your comments actually came through which prompted me to do this post.
DeleteI welcome ALL suggestions.
You are very welcome!
Yes, I do believe it will work for Marley hair. I would just break it up in smaller sections. You aren't manipulating the hair at all. Just taking it out of the package and placing in ACV mix.
If you are a little hesistant to do the soak, I would just spray the hair with a mix of ACV and water before or after installing.
Thanks Ms D
ReplyDeleteSeriously it is such a pain for me to add comments from my phone sometimes - I am glad it worked once out of the three times I tried though (",)
I am going to go and try the vinegar soak now. I don't have any avc with me so I will try it with white vinegar and cross my fingers. I will try it on one pack of marley braid hair first.
Thanks again for the post - it's a big help and I hope my scalp will be thanking you also come the weekend.
T
:-)
DeleteI heard white vinegar works just as well. No need to purchase ACV if you don't have it. Try a small section first of the Marley hair, to test it out. I'm hoping there are no tangles!
My pleasure! Lol..I hope so too!
Does it work for loc extentions. I believe Im having an allergic reaction to my loc extention bad rash on face shoulders an arms an it didnt start until after i got extentiin put in
ReplyDeleteYes, it works on any type of synthetic hair. I suggest doing an acv rinse. Mix 1 ounce of acc with about 5 ounces of water...and distribute on hair then rinse.
DeleteIf I do this soak will it mess up the quality and longevity of my extensions once it's braided in? Would it also mean that the hairdresser couldn't soak my hair ends in hot water at the end?
ReplyDeleteNo, it never ruined the quality of hair or longevity when I have done it.
DeleteYour hairdresser can still soak the ends of the braids, doing an acv rinse doesnt change much of anything, but helps with allergic reactions.
Thank you so much :)
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome!
DeleteWill the girl who's going to do my pixie braids still be able to burn the ends.
ReplyDeleteYes, she will. The acv has no effect on the ability to burn the hair
Delete