Left My Weave in too Long ... Help

[ChocolatePanther]

I left my weave in too long and I am not sure what to do next. I got my install right before Thanksgiving and just took it out. There was just too much shedding and matting. I slept in coconut oil under a shower cap in hopes of loosening some of the matting and stopping some of the shedding. This morning I combed it out and used Joico K-pac poo and conditioner. I then deep conditioned and now I am waiting to see what's left. Sigh. I can tell that the back is gone and my right side is gone. I'm not sure what to do next. I just knew I had a good amount of new growth, but I think I jeopardized it all by leaving the weave in too long. So, now what? Unfortunately, I can't hide-out for a month. My right edge and my back is gone so I don't think I can bun my hair. I planned on getting another weave before I saw the damage I'd done. Any suggestions?

 

[BrickbyBrick]

Wigs/half wigs. I was really afraid of these until the ladies here flattened me with how good they looked in theirs. This way you can still take care of your hair underneath and hide any damage while it grows back.

 

[ChocolatePanther]

Ok, I will do a search to see what I can find, but the wigs I've seen look so fake. I was wearing bohyme brazilian flat ironed straight and it looked so natural to me. Any recommendations on good wig brands?

 

[belletropjolie]

I agree with the wig suggestions...yiu may also want to look into bunning if you have enough hair on your right side and nape (I'm thinking a low bun wld cover the back)

Aa far as wigs
The tammy by outre is very popular and realistic/easy to blend. Another popular brand I've heard of is the mommy wig.

 

[zoromo]

I agree, a half or whole wig may work. Have you thought about doing a BC. I do not know how long your hair is or your hair goals, but it may be good to start fresh if you hair is say 5-6 inches or less. If you had this in since late november you are likely to have inches of growth. If you are not ready to BC. You could still BC and wear wigs until a few months pass.

 

[Zaz]

I'm not sure if you'll do weaves again but I think baggying overnight might have been part of the problem. From what I've heard, whenever you keep extensions for an extended period of time, it's best to detangle/remove shed hairs on dry hair before attempting to add water to it.

Not sure how long your hair is or what styles you can do but wigging it seems like a good idea. Here's a couple of wig threads and Ediese's weave tips thread:

Are You New to Weaves? Here Are Some Definite DON'TS!!

WIG CHALLENGE 2012

Favorite Wig/Weave Guru on YouTube!

NATURALS ONLY:Official Wig & Weave Thread/Gallery

 

[CurlsBazillion]

Girl I'm so sorry to hear this happened to you. I barely have hair at my crown and that has put me under wigs but I'm able to hide the harsh hairline of it with my edges. check out how muffinsmylover does her lace fronts and half wigs and how she gets it to look more realistic. Here is a pic of a lace front I got from platinum wigs....I am not recommending this site in particular because I don't really love the wig but I make it work. Good luck!

 

[irisak]

Girl I am so sorry to hear this happened to you. I wear weave all the time and through trial and error and other hair forums I have learned a few tricks for when you remove your intall.

1. comb out each braid as you remove it. I saturate my hair with a mixture of leave in and water (cantu has good slip)
2) comb from the bottom up
3) remove ALL shed hairs before putting any shampoo in the hair otherwise it will be lock city.

 

[beauti]

umm...since november??thats 4 months!what happened? You shouldnt leave your weave in that long.wear a full wig,not even a half wig but a full wig until you nurse your hair back to health

 

[SummerSolstice]

the overnight baggy is an issue.
i have left in weaves for 6 months/ used the same braid base for up to 6 months and its all in removing the shed hair after you take down the braids.
the overnight baggy gave your loose hair a chance to tangle with the shedding.

 

[SummerSolstice]

umm...since november??thats 4 months!what happened? You shouldnt leave your weave in that long.wear a full wig,not even a half wig but a full wig until you nurse your hair back to health

not true for everyone. unless your hair is damaged from color or relaxer it shouldn't be a problem. 4 months is nothing i've seen way worse with ilttle to no damage

 

[irisak]

the overnight baggy is an issue.
i have left in weaves for 6 months/ used the same braid base for up to 6 months and its all in removing the shed hair after you take down the braids.
the overnight baggy gave your loose hair a chance to tangle with the shedding.

I think it was the overnight baggy too. All shed hair had to be removed before immediately prior to that much moisture for that length of time is introduced.

 

[virtuenow]

I just took down an install yesterday that I kept in 5months. It was an experiment b/c I studied the technique of those lhcfers who do long installs w/successful growth and retention. I kept installs in a couple weeks and then a couple months to test the best care and take down techniques before I went for this long haul. Halfway through this install I put in new hair (Bohyme Brazilian also). I had no problems with the take down. However, I think the most important thing is how you take care of your hair during the install. I washed and deep conditioned weekly and did a moisturizing spritz during the week. On take down day, I saturated my hair w/water/aloe vera gel and castor oil. The shed hair slid right out as I took down each section. No matting, or tangling. I just used my fingers to remove the shed hair. Did you wash and moisturize your hair regularly or did you avoid water. That may be the difference.

 

[ChocolatePanther]

Thank you for the comments! I've decided that my hair likes to be left alone (per install growth), but doesn't like to be left alone too long (per install and bun breakage). One reason for the install was to give my edges a break after bunning non-stop. I also had breakage in the middle from bunning and pinning in my kinky curly "ponytail" to add volume.

So, I decided to bun for two weeks after the install and did tons of research to come up with the "perfect solution" .... a DIY Bohyme Brazilian Wave wig. I used to sew so I figured the finished product would be wearable and it is! The hardest part was layering the wig and getting the side part to lay flat. Also, I can't cornrow so I "flat platted" my hair and I can't get the hair as straight as I want it so I may have to buy another flat iron. I would give the wig a 7.5 and I will definitely be doing this again.