A bouncy, natural weave requires proper installation by your stylist and a weave made of natural, human hair. Over time, even a high-quality weave may turn stiff, resulting in flat, lifeless strands that are challenging to style. Targeting the cause of a stiff weave -- product buildup -- is the key to giving that flat weave new, voluminous life.
Product Buildup
Daily styling of your weave might be to blame when your hair feels stiff. Weave upkeep requires regular oiling of your scalp, which conditions the scalp and stimulates hair growth. However, if this oil ends up on your tresses, they can quickly stiffen.
Similarly, other product buildup can result in a stiff weave that lacks natural movement and bounce. If you're using gels, serums or hairsprays to set your style, the lingering buildup of these products on your strands can result in a stick-straight look that falls flat. Aerosol sprays, in particular, can dry out your weave and stiffen it.
Softening Your Weave
Restoring bounce to your weave requires you to remove this product buildup. Cleansing your hair is the best way to give your weave new life, but proper care is essential.
Shampoo
Use a sulfate-free shampoo on your stiff weave to erase that buildup. Shampoo your hair no more than every seven to 10 days. Rather than vigorously rubbing the shampoo into your weave, gently smooth it on your tresses to avoid agitating the weave. Once the shampoo is rinsed out of your weave, let it air dry.
Buildup-Fighting Spray
Targeting product buildup on your weave doesn't always require a thorough shampooing. Between cleansing sessions, spritz your strands with a 50-50 combination of water and sulfate-free shampoo, mixed together in a spray bottle. Gently rub this mixture into the stiff portions of your hair, and then rinse them with water. This spot treatment targets your stiff hair, even if you're not due for a cleansing session for another couple of weeks.
Maintaining Your Bouncy Weave
Once you've restored the bounce to your weave, maintaining it can extend its life. Invest in a dry shampoo, which you can apply to your weave to soak up oil and fight buildup. Target application on those strands that are oily, stiff or in need of moisture.
Cut back on styling products to avoid a stiff weave. When possible, avoid them entirely. If you need to reduce unwanted frizz, try a dime-sized dab of leave-in conditioner. The less you use, the better when it comes to maintaining volume.