I Just Found Out What Happens If You Leave Your Weave In Too Long And WHAT THE HELL?! (2024)

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This is Jennifer Cherilus. She's an award-winning NJ-based hairstylist who specializes in all things natural hair care. She can do lots of styles, but it's her gorgeous protective styles that keep clients (like me!) coming back for more. Jennifer and I recently had a nice long chat about some of the common misconceptions around protective styles. And she revealed a major no-no that clients commit all the time: Leaving their styles in for waaaaay too long. "Protective styles should only be worn for a maximum of eight weeks" she told BuzzFeed. "This applies to box braids, crochet braids, cornrows, and any other style where the hair is sewn down or kept in a locked position on your scalp. Yes, I get that this style cost $100 or $200, or how ever much it was, but you absolutely need to cleanse your scalp and let it breathe." According to Jennifer, your scalp is an extension of the other skin on your body, just like your face, for example. "And how do you think your face would feel if you covered it up for a week?" she asked. "All of those natural oils and dead skin cells that your skin produces would have nowhere else to go. Well, it’s the same for your scalp." But that's not all! So we shower, sweat, and whatnot while we're rocking our protective styles, because life, right? Well that brings water and moisture into the equation, and that's when sh*t gets REAL ya'll. "All those oils, skin cells, and shed hair are just kind of brewing in this restricted area that's dark and damp, which is the perfect environment for bacteria to grow and thrive," Jennifer told us. "It’s basically a breeding ground." Jennifer understands that there's not a ton of professional education on natural hair care yet, so she's not trying to shame anyone who's gone over eight weeks. She said she just wants people to look at the bigger picture and take their hair care seriously. FAQs
  • I Just Found Out What Happens If You Leave Your Weave In Too Long And WHAT THE HELL?! (1)

You'll never make this mistake again after reading this.

She can do lots of styles, but it's her gorgeous protective styles that keep clients (like me!) coming back for more.

I Just Found Out What Happens If You Leave Your Weave In Too Long And WHAT THE HELL?! (4)

@natural_jc / Via Instagram: @natural_jc

Yep, Jennifer does my hair too. Every black girl knows that finding the right hairstylist is harder than finding your soulmate, so shout out to God.

Jennifer and I recently had a nice long chat about some of the common misconceptions around protective styles. And she revealed a major no-no that clients commit all the time: Leaving their styles in for waaaaay too long.

Columbia Pictures / Via giphy.com

"Protective styles should only be worn for a maximum of eight weeks" she told BuzzFeed. "This applies to box braids, crochet braids, cornrows, and any other style where the hair is sewn down or kept in a locked position on your scalp. Yes, I get that this style cost $100 or $200, or how ever much it was, but you absolutely need to cleanse your scalp and let it breathe."

The Chic Natural / Via youtube.com

She also recommends a good shampooing at four weeks—the halfway point—to try to remove some of the build-up that’s already accumulated. For those people worried about the hair swelling and getting frizzy post-wash, you can try cleansing your scalp with an astringent like Sea Breeze. But keep in mind that they typically contain alcohol, which tends to dry hair out, so you’d have to immediately start your moisturization regimen again right after using it.

According to Jennifer, your scalp is an extension of the other skin on your body, just like your face, for example. "And how do you think your face would feel if you covered it up for a week?" she asked. "All of those natural oils and dead skin cells that your skin produces would have nowhere else to go. Well, it’s the same for your scalp."

TV One / Via giphy.com

"When you leave any hairstyle in too long, there's nowhere for those oils, skin cells, and shed hair to escape. So those things sit underneath your wig, your sew-in, your crochet braids—whatever style—and they start to build-up on your scalp."

But that's not all! So we shower, sweat, and whatnot while we're rocking our protective styles, because life, right? Well that brings water and moisture into the equation, and that's when sh*t gets REAL ya'll.

VH1 / Via giphy.com

"All those oils, skin cells, and shed hair are just kind of brewing in this restricted area that's dark and damp, which is the perfect environment for bacteria to grow and thrive," Jennifer told us. "It’s basically a breeding ground."

VH1 / Via giphy.com

"At that point, you’ve opened yourself up to serious scalp infections, mold, and even egg-storing bugs and insects," she added. (The latter’s not common among African Americans, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get them.) And Jennifer's witnessed these super scary results herself, having seen people's scalp turn colors, like gray and green. "When it gets to that point, the only solution is really cutting off all your hair and starting over," she said.

Jennifer understands that there's not a ton of professional education on natural hair care yet, so she's not trying to shame anyone who's gone over eight weeks. She said she just wants people to look at the bigger picture and take their hair care seriously.

Jackie Aina / Via youtube.com

I Just Found Out What Happens If You Leave Your Weave In Too Long And WHAT THE HELL?! (2024)

FAQs

I Just Found Out What Happens If You Leave Your Weave In Too Long And WHAT THE HELL?!? ›

Well, it's the same for your scalp." "When you leave any hairstyle in too long, there's nowhere for those oils, skin cells, and shed hair to escape. So those things sit underneath your wig, your sew-in, your crochet braids

crochet braids
Crochet braids, also known as latch hook braids, are techniques for braiding hair that involve crocheting synthetic hair extensions to a person's natural hair with a latch hook or crochet hook. While crochet braids are a hybrid of traditional braids, they're considered to be more similar to weaves.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Crochet_braids
—whatever style—and they start to build-up on your scalp."

What happens if you leave braids in too long? ›

Don't Leave Your Braids in for Too Long

You should never keep braids for longer than eight weeks. Any longer than that, your new growth will stretch and damage and eventually break, causing significant damage to your hair. Keeping your braids for longer than eight weeks will likely leave you with hair loss.

How long should you give your hair a break from weave? ›

To maintain healthy hair, it's important to give your hair a break from a weave or extensions. Wear these styles for two or three months at most, then give your hair a break by switching to a hairstyle without them.

Can you keep braids for 6 months? ›

The longer your braids stay in, the harder it might be to maneuver around the build up. Some people end up having to cut their hair after leaving braids on for too long. So how long is safe? I'd recommend 6 to 8 weeks and if you want to go longer, you have to really take good care of it to avoid a lot of breakage.

How long should weave braids stay in? ›

According to hair care specialist Tatiana Dudley, braids with added extensions have a lifespan of four to six weeks, while those without tend to last approximately one to four weeks. "Anything beyond six weeks runs the risk of breakage," she says.

Are overnight braids bad? ›

As long as you do them right, overnight braids are totally healthy for your locks. But how can you be sure you're keeping your hair safe during the night? Don't worry, we've got you covered. For all the best tips to achieve gorgeous, healthy curls with overnight braids, read on.

How long should you let your hair breathe between braids? ›

Stylists often recommend that you let your natural hair and scalp relax and breathe before putting another protective style in. If you can allow at least one week between styles, then you'll have time to see the state of your hair.

What happens if you leave your weave in too long? ›

Overtime, your weave will shed. But if that thing is shedding chunks on the daily, not only is it time to take it out but it's also time for NEW hair (you know, the “Nu Nu ish”).

Can your hair still grow with a weave? ›

With proper care and the right weaving technique that is specialized for your hair type, texture, and density; your natural hair will grow and flourish underneath your weave. It is also very important to know that the removal of the sew-in truly matters and is crucial in length retention.

Can I leave a sew in for 3 months? ›

On average, a healthy sew-in can last anywhere from 6-8 weeks.

Do braids grow your hair faster? ›

Though braids don't have a direct impact on hair growth, they have an impact on hair health. They can help growing hair stay healthy and strong, keeping it moisturized while it continues to grow. For more information on hair braiding and health, visit a hair Pro in your neighborhood and discuss your style options.

Which braids last the longest? ›

Box braids, characterized by their distinctive square-shaped sections, are known for their longevity. With proper care and maintenance, box braids can last anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks.

What is the best length for a weave? ›

If you are going for a natural look, we suggest between 14inch to 16inch. Remember the longer the extensions, the harder it is to take care of. If you go for curly hair, please consider ordering 4-6 inches longer to ensure you get your desired length. Curly hair is usually 3.0″ shorter than Straight hair.

Is 4 months too long to keep braids in? ›

4 months is a long time. Your braids won't still look good and you'll have a lot of trouble detangling once you take them out. the build up will be at the top of the braid, you must remove it.

How to stop braids from frizzing? ›

First, apply some water to your braids to fix frizzy knotless braids. It will provide moisture and nourishment. Then, apply Controlled Chaos Curl Creme to the ends and any frizzy areas of your braids. Moreover, it will smooth and define them.

Do long braids damage hair? ›

“For individuals with fine hair, larger braids may exert excessive weight on the strands,” the stylist explains. “Generally, medium-size braids are a safe choice, provided they are not overly heavy. The most harmful braids are those that are excessively tight and carry significant weight.”

Can keeping your hair in braid all the time affect? ›

Every once in a while, it's OK to wear your hair tightly pulled back, but you want to avoid wearing a tightly pulled hairstyle every day. The constant pulling can cause strands of your hair to break or fall out. In time, the continuous pulling can damage your hair follicles.

Will my braids turn into dreads? ›

Yes, braids turn into dreads with a little bit of effort. However, it looks crappy if not done properly. The process involves unraveling and twisting the braids to form dreadlocks. It is important to note that a professional hairstylist should do this process with experience in creating dreads.

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