Pure Pleasure Salon

A woman’s hair is often seen as a symbol of her beauty and personality. For eons, women have been using hair extensions (weaves) to enhance the natural beauty and uniqueness of their hair. Hair weaves have always enjoyed popularity among women of color. In recent years, as more stars and celebrities begin to experiment with new hairstyles, hair weaves have become even more ubiquitous. Like hair coloring, a hair weave is a relatively easy and non-invasive way to change your appearance. However, if you are considering adding a weave to your natural hair, it will be very important to explore your options and understand the different effects that certain hairstyles can have on your natural locks. It is also imperative that you take precautions to minimize the risks of damaging your natural hair and scalp. There are several steps to adding a weave to your hair:

Step 1: Choosing a Hair Type
Before you get a weave, it is important to know that the type of hair you add to your own will seriously affect how realistic and attractive your extensions look. Extensions and weaves come in both synthetic and natural forms and you will want to think carefully about your lifestyle and desired look before choosing a hair type. Synthetic (plastic) hair has its uses, particularly for braided or twisted styles. However, synthetic hair is not ideal for more free-flowing styles because it will not provide the desired natural look and will be easily detected as fake. It may also damage your natural hair and irritate your skin. Human hair is more suitable for use with free-flowing styles.

Step 2: Choose a Hair Application Method
Next you will need to decide if you want to have your extensions applied in a single strand method, or in wefts. Individual strand methods involve taking small groups of hair, maybe 20-50 strands, and applying these sections to your own hair. The hair is attached with heat fusion, adhesive, clamping, or waxes. These styles last only a few months before they must be removed and re-applied.

Step 3: Choose an Attachment/Bonding Method
Once you have picked a hair type and application method, you will want to decide how you want the weave attached to your own hair. There are three basic types of weaves: braided, bonded, and fusion.

Step 4: Ongoing Care
After your weave is completed, it will be important to think of your extensions as your own hair. When done by a professional, the average hair weave--whether glued, heat-bonded, or sewn into natural hair--lasts about two months. During this time, you will need to wash your weave as well.Your natural hair will become dry and brittle if it is not washed, conditioned and moisturized on a regular basis. Although you should care for your weave as if it were your own hair, do not forget that it is a foreign object that has been attached to a part of your body. Always wash your scalp as well as your natural hair and the weave hair every 7-14 days. After about 6- 8 weeks, it will be time to return to your stylist and have your extensions removed.