CosmoBiz Magazine April 2018 | Page 34

Feature Caring For Your Scalp With Weaves and Extensions Wearing weaves and extensions can be an excellent way to give your hair a break from styling and envi- ronmental damage, but it’s important to remember that it still needs extra care while under a protective style. There are several important things to consider when planning the best routine to keep your natural hair hap- py and healthy. Follow these steps and you’re sure to take out your style to find your best hair yet. Figuring Out Your Scalp need specific help. Visiting a trichologist right before having your extensions put in also means you start your style with a perfectly clean and healthy scalp. This is the perfect foundation from which to move for- ward, and we can’t recommend it enough. Every trichologist, with most stylists included, can help establish your scalps condition, and depending on its severity, you may be able to tell yourself. If you have an oily vs dry scalp, your care will be slightly different. While you may be able to recognize the two conditions on your own head, if they are more extreme, a stylist or trichologist can help you identify if specific regions of your scalp are dry vs oily or help you develop a hybrid cleansing plan if you fall in-between the two. For An Oily Scalp The first step to establishing a good care routine is to learn what your scalp condition is. We suggest a trip to your local trichologist to figure out the state of your scalp. While this option may not be available to every- one, it does mean that you can create a highly specific and tailored approach to your hair care. Much like fa- cial mapping, you can see which areas of your scalp 34 C O S M O B I Z M A G A Z I N E For those who’s scalp produces excess sebum and sweat, there are a few crucial steps. For one, you’ll have to wash more often, as oil collects excess skin and pollutants and traps them against the scalp. While you don’t want to use anything harsh that will create excess dryness, cleansing shampoos are best for those with an oily scalp. Look for lines that have antibacterial properties such as tea tree and honey. Because an oily scalp tends to stay moist the risk for bacterial growth is higher, making antibacterial products essential. We recommend making a diluted mix of purified water, tea tree oil, and a few drops of honey to spritz at the root after washing.