One of the cardinal rules of “Hair Bundles 101” is your hair (bundles) should never be stiff, even if you get them from a pack. Take it from someone who has been getting sew-ins since high school. If you spend your hard-earned money on hair, you know it’s expensive, especially in this economy.
Hair extensions give many of us the versatility we need to achieve a desired look. They allow Black women to switch from long to short, curly to straight, and everything in between, providing an avenue to experiment and redefine beauty standards on their terms.
But what happens when those bundles are stiff? And is there a way to save them?
Reasons Your Bundles are Stiff and Ways to Fix
As transformative and beautiful as bundles are, not all hair extensions live up to their promises. Even some high-end, expensive bundles can exhibit a puzzling stiffness, contrary to the soft, natural feel that consumers expect. This rigidity can be perplexing when one has invested a significant amount into securing what they believe to be top-quality extensions.
The reasons for this stiffness vary, with some directly linked to the production and care of these coveted beauty additions. Here are just three reasons:
Chemical Processing
The first reason for this unwanted stiffness in hair bundles can be traced back to chemical processing. Many hair extensions undergo various treatments, such as coloring, bleaching, or texturizing, to match different hair types and styles. Though effective in achieving the desired look, these chemicals can compromise the hair’s natural softness, leaving it feeling stiff and less malleable.
Combatting stiffness in chemically processed bundles requires a tailored approach. Start by using sulfate-free shampoos, which cleanse without stripping essential moisture. Follow up with deep conditioning treatments specifically formulated for chemically treated hair. Deep conditioning replenishes lost moisture and nutrients, ensuring the hair remains pliable. Incorporate leave-in conditioners or hair serums containing natural oils, like argan or coconut, to provide a protective layer and lock in hydration.
Regularly trimming the ends can also prevent tangling and further stiffness. With these measures, chemically processed bundles can regain their softness and durability.
Sew-In Maintenance: Wash and Deep Condition Your Bundles
After installation, if your hair bundles feel stiff, product buildup is often the culprit. Continuous hair sprays, gels, and other styling products can accumulate on the extensions, weighing them down and compromising their softness.
Like natural hair, bundles need regular washing and deep conditioning to remove this buildup. A proper cleansing routine rejuvenates the extensions, ensuring they remain soft, manageable, and free from the stiffness caused by excessive product residue. Remember, your human hair bundles can use the same products you put in your hair.
Moisturize Your Bundles
Unlike natural hair, these bundles aren’t connected to the scalp, producing oils to moisturize hair. Extensions can quickly become dry because they lack this direct source of nourishment. Regular moisturizing and conditioning treatments are essential to maintain their softness and vitality, compensating for the absence of natural scalp oils. Once again, a light oil is perfect for your hair extensions.
While expensive hair bundles promise superior quality and appearance, they are not immune to stiffness. Several factors can affect their texture, from the chemical treatments they undergo to the lack of natural scalp oils after installation. However, one can combat this stiffness with proper knowledge and care routines, such as washing, deep conditioning, and regular moisturizing.
Investing in high-quality hair bundles means spending money and investing time and effort in maintenance to ensure they remain soft, lustrous, and true to their value.