Yarn Braid Extensions: Caution when wet!

One of my clients just came back from Nigeria (Africa), and she saw a LOT of yarn braid extensions in all different colors.  I introduced yarn braid extensions in a previous blog article under the name of  "genie locs."

I also just washed my yarn extension unit, and I realized that the yarn soaks up a LOT of water.  Luckily, I can wash the unit without it being on my head, but it went from being weightless in my hands to feeling like a gallon of water.   I was amazed at how the yarn sucked up water like a sponge and retained it.  Wow!  I literally had to wring my yarn unit out as much as I could, and it was still extremely wet.  I could not imagine going swimming with yarn extensions in my hair without seeing some breakage later from the water weight of them.

I literally was amazed to discover what seemed like a lightweight hair fix could be devastating when wet and attached to actual hair.  I recommend caution when choosing the genie locs service for any extended period of time.

    

Product Review: Design Essentials Curl Cleanser and more

I apologize that my lighting was not better for this product picture, but nonetheless, the curl cleanser was great at cleansing without dehydrating my curls. I still prefer the KeraCare Cleansing Cream, but the Design Essentials Curl Cleanser will be my "go to" for deep cleansing after a week long stretch of leave-in conditioners. Overall, I like it!

As for the curl stretching cream, it is a little heavy. Extremely porous hair is going to soak it up like a sponge. I discovered this with a client who had permanently colored her Type 4b/c hair. We blowdried the hair according to the Design Essentials natural styling guide, then we used the Design Essentials Curl Stretching Cream to make individual twists. Her hair absorbed soooo much product that it was very hard to get it dry. Two hours under the dryer would probably be generous. The oil that her hair soaked up was enough for a solid week without worrying about drying out.

I have noticed quite a few products seem to soak into Type 4 hair and create a wet sponge effect if the Type 4 hair is damaged or extremely porous.

Honestly, when Type 4 hair becomes that damaged, plan to gradually cut it off. I will be very difficult to manage and easy to frizz. Repeated excessive thermal/heat can cause damage, and sometimes permanent color can cause this damage as well.

So be careful . . . when hair is "overcooked" - you eventually have to start over.