Weave addiction: is it true once u go weave

[Lucia]

Spin off from Tyra weave and real hair thread.
You can't go back to your "real" hair? No matter how healthy or nice your real hair looks? Whatever the reason is ease of styling don't have to deal with your real hair protective styling, etc...If it is true how do you break the addiction? How many of us are actually addicted to weaves?

 

[mscocoface]

You can go back to your real hair, but it is very very very difficult. At least it was for me. It is like a drug you will have withdrawal and sometimes even once you are off the fake hair it will try to pull you back in. yep:

I know I did weaves, wigs and extension hair for years and years and years. There was no way I was going out of the house without some purchased hair on my head. Nope was not happening.

I was pushed off of it as of March or April of this year. I tired to put on a full wig for an event and it did not fit. Hair is waaaay to thick now as a natural. Could not put weave in and it was too late to think about putting in extension twists.

As of that day I have not put any other hair on my head, not even the 3/4 wigs I use with flat twists. I have myself on a challenge to not use any hair until further notice.

I want to get to the mindset where it will only be a hairstyle I want to sport versus the mindset of I have to have it because I don't look right without it.

I have been stalking folks pictures like Mwedzi, Sera, Sonce, Nonie and others to obtain different styles, inspiration and support.

So far so good.

Signed,
Recovering Fake hair-aholic
Mscocoface

 

[sikora]

I disagree. I started wearing weaves last year and wear them when it's cold and wear my real hair when it's warm/ hot out. If there's anything I'm "addicted" to, I would say it's the amazing progress my hair has made with weaves. For that reason I intend to keep doing it until I reach my goal of BSL.

Also, it helps me stretch. When I first started trying to take care of my hair and grow out a pixie cut I tried stretching and doing my own relaxers and that caused major breakage for me. I, along with my stylist that I ran back to, realized that I can't stretch by leaving my hair exposed. So, when given the choice of braids or weave, I chose weave.

 

[naturalmanenyc]

No, it's not true.

I started weaving in May 2003 on a whim and kept weaving until 2007. I started with sew-ins and then it escalated to fusion weave aka strand by strand. I really had no reason to start weaving since my own hair was already a decent length (albeit thin at the ends).

I don't recall what made me take the before photos but I did get a couple of shots of my hair pre-weave in May 2003.

Once my long time stylist retired and moved out of state in July 2007 I was on the hunt for a new stylist and had no luck finding anyone as fabulous or anyone who would do my fusion for her price - only $500.

I have not had a weave in nearly 2 years although I do have a collection of half wigs & full wigs. I have been wearing my own hair for a couple of weeks now and it's great....so versatile!! I had friends digging all in my head on Monday when I was rocking a twist out. They asked me to show them how to flat twist on my friend's 4 year old (gorgeous 3c/4a curls). DH was in love with my braid out last Sunday and today I got a blow out.

I am not going to throw out my wig collection, especially since I have 3 new Sensationnel lace top half wigs that I was saving for fall. But I am going to wear my own hair more often in the next year.

http://public.fotki.com/RegsWife/using-a-half-wig/

http://public.fotki.com/RegsWife/experimenting-with-/

 

[foxieroxienyc]

I use to be "addicted" to weaves before I knew how to take care of my own hair. That was also back when I didn't believe my hair could grow and be as healthy looking and lush as my weaves. Now I'm more the other way, addicted to my own hair and can't imagine going back to a weave.

 

[yardgirl]

It was for me. I had to lose a 40% of my hair to stop. I'm not saying "never again", just "not for a while"

 

[msa]

I wouldn't say I'm addicted...I just love love love the way weaves make me feel. I'm able to do things with weaves that my hair will never be able to do and I love that.

My hair is never going to be "thick" like a lot of people's. I just don't have that much density. With weaves I can have the super thick hair that I crave . I feel the best when I have a set of braid extensions or a full weave that's thick because I look the best with more hair and weaves allow me to have that.

And, I'm a very very lazy person. I know a lot of people here love doing their hair. I don't. I grew up wearing a wrap or braids, both styles only require a few minutes a day (or less) and my hair thrived with them. Now with weaves I only have to moisturize my hair underneath and I'm good to go. I can be lazy and take care of my hair at the same time. I just don't retain as much with "out" styles.

So yeah, I love fake hair. Addicted? Maybe. I definitely can leave the house without any fake hair and be fine. Right now, I'm really wanting to make a purchase of quality hair so I can weave it up for a while (like a couple years). *sigh* I can't wait until I can afford some new hair. Don't judge me...at least I'm not a pjjk jk.

 

[locabouthair]

Not true. I got three sew in and I couldn't stand it. I started doing research online and found LHCF and wore my hair in it's natural state-no relaxer that was 4 years ago.

Now I'm wearing half wigs because I wanted to give my hair a break and I cut off three inches because the ends were thin as soon as it grows back, I'm rocking my real hair.

 

[aquajoyice]

I got a weave a long time ago and althought I loved being able to do whatever to the weave I hated the feeling of my scalp being pulled 24/7. And the fact that people always asked me and how embarresed I was to tell them it was a weave. It just made me feel like a fake... and that was at a time when I used to wear my own hair straight all the time. What's worse was I thought I was giving my hair a "rest" but once I took the weave out most of my hair went with it. And I had to cut my hair the shortest it's ever been in my life then vowed never again todo weaves.

 

[HoneyA]

No, it's not true. I stopped wearing weaves after the last weave I wore (about 4 years ago now, wow!) matted up in like 4 weeks and looked like a rat's nest. I took it out, was disgusted with them and myself and I told myself that my own hair had to look better than that and I just stopped wearing them. I figured that I would save myself some money too! Then I started actively looking for information on how to care for my own hair. I have to say that I have never been disgusted with my own hair

 

[Choirgirl]

Does anyone ever watch "What Not To Wear"? I really enjoy that show. I get great tips not only about hair but about fashion too. In case you don't know, friends, family or co-workers nominate someone for a fashion makeover. The host and hostess will show up with a $5,000 gift card for the nominee. The nominee gets the 5k, but in exchange they must surrender their complete wardrobe and subject themselves to criticism in front of a 360 degree mirror. After that, they are shown some styles that best fit their body type. With the rules in mind, the nominee gets to shop for new clothes. On day three, they get a hair and makeup makeover.

Once an African American young woman was nominated. For some reason, she didn't take her weave out on day three when it was time for her hair makeover. They spent a TON of time brushing it out her matted weave, she was embarrased. I thought she was going to cry on national TV especially when the stylist got a second brush and asked for her help! He looked so exhausted and beat up after struggling with her weave which consisted of matted curls that hung down her back. The front part of her head wasn't weaved. Here is where the stylist could see her short, relaxed and dyed hair. He told her he was afraid to take out the weave because he was scared of what was beneath it. At that point, I would have gotten the BC! He told her that a weave must look natural or it should GO! After what seemed like hours of harsh pulling and brushing, he was able to run the brush through the weave -the camara guy had a good time with this. Too bad she wouldn't let him BC her.

The poor woman was too ashamed to show her own hair. Someone told me that your hair can actually tangle and grow around the weave! That would be awful to try and remove! I think an occasional wig is fun. But, I think weaves are overrated. Don't let them get the best of you.

 

[tintin]

true for me! But i'm going to work on the addiction when I reach my hair goal

 

[Thann]

I really get caught up because of the extra thickness I don't normally have. Also, I love that I'm able to heat style daily or more.

When I first take my weaves out... I always go through a sort of readjusting period where I don't like my hair down and it doesn't look quite good enough. On the otherhand, when I first get my weave, it takes me awhile to get comfortable with the thickness and settle with the look.

 

[mstar]

*raises hand* I'm addicted! For now, at least. I can't wait to start wearing my real hair out.

When I first started my HJ a few months ago, I decided to ditch the fake hair, because that's what I saw everyone else doing. So I had my stylist kick things off with a press & curl, which promptly led to 3 inches of straight ends. In those three weeks I wore my own hair, I saw that it was going to be too much work...I was just a newbie, and I had a lot to learn about haircare. The thought of buying a million products, plus a dryer, flat iron, blow dryer, magnetic rollers, etc. was overwhelming to me. Plus I have an image to maintain--I can't afford to be seen around town looking a hot mess. So I braided it back up.

Now I'm on a personal C&G challenge till the end of the year, and I love my extension braids. I had a serious setback this summer, so I'm praying that my hair is long enough by January to wear it out. But until then, I wouldn't dream of going outside without my Italian French Deep Wave hair hanging down my back.

 

[dontspeakdefeat]

I use weaves for a purpose and when I have done with them what I want its pretty easy to say bye bye!

 

[darlingdiva]

I don't wear weaves, but I do wear wigs and braids & I'm not addicted to them.

I've worn braids for many years in the summer, or when I go to a warm climate. With the braids, I don't have to deal with the poofy hair factor, and I don't have to manipulate my hair as much.

I started wearing wigs after my healthy hair journey began. Between school and work, I'm really busy, and I don't have time to do my hair more than once a week. The wigs are for convenience only.

 

[Covergirl5906]

I think it can be an addiction... A clear co-worker wanted to know why I wear weaves sometimes since I'm not bald...I told her it's just something more glamourous about weaves

 

[ajacks]

Had you asked me this question two years ago I would have definitely said yes. "I am a weave addict". My hair was so thin and damaged I only felt comfortable wearing extensions. The idea that I could not wear my real hair alone was unsettling. This dependency on weaves is what actually started my quest for healthy hair. Now that I have the knowledge to take care of my hair I use weave to help me grow my hair out in a healthy manner. And for the first time in years I am comfortable wearing my real hair. Once I reach my goal I don't think I will wear weaves any longer.

 

[Nice Lady]

I personally started my hair journey approximately 2 months after taking out a weave because it wasn't monetarily feasible for care and maintenance. I love, love weaves. I wore it for 1 year and 9 months. The first year my hair thinned out but grew and the 9 month period--my hair grew excellently because I learned my lesson that you must eat right, and do weekly routine hair care.

 

[sikora]

I use weaves for a purpose and when I have done with them what I want its pretty easy to say bye bye!

Yup!!!! And I'll also add for me that my weave is only a little bit longer than my real hair (btwn shoulder and APL) so no one ever knows that I have it in and there's no extra length/ thickness for me to miss when it's removed.

 

[BlackGeisha]

I just took my sew in out end of August this year, I've been wearing sew ins for years. I just began taking care of my real hair underneath and the sew ins helped grow my hair out. Now I've decided to wear and take care of my real hair and this feeling of fear took over me. My hair also feels kindah naked without my sew in. I've been wearing clipins that are the length of my hair some days to help the urge of wanting to wear a full weave again.

 

[mzsophisticated26]

For me it not an addiction I depend on it for fullness. I have been wearing weaves on and off for more than 12yrs. At first I used them for style and covenience during high school but then the weaving method(bond in glue) really damaged my already thin hair so then I depended on them heavily when I wore my real hair even when I got a short tapered cut I still needed a weave bang piece for fullness. Last year I started my hair journey and to this day I can't wear my real hair down without weave in the front because it is paper thin. I can't wait for the day when I can wear all of my hair out with no pieces. It gets so frustrating.

 

[trendsetta25]

How many of us are actually addicted to weaves? I've been rocking a weave since I was 12...does that answer ur question? Lol
Seriously. I started my hh journey in dec 08. Even though my hair is the longest its ever been in life; I like wearing a weave for 3 reasons
1. Its a great protective style
2. I don't have to wait 2 yrs for MBL hair. I can just go to the BSS store and buy it!
3. Its keeps my head warm in the winter...lol

 

[Lucia]

For me it not an addiction I depend on it for fullness. I have been wearing weaves on and off for more than 12yrs. At first I used them for style and covenience during high school but then the weaving method(bond in glue) really damaged my already thin hair so then I depended on them heavily when I wore my real hair even when I got a short tapered cut I still needed a weave bang piece for fullness. Last year I started my hair journey and to this day I can't wear my real hair down without weave in the front because it is paper thin. I can't wait for the day when I can wear all of my hair out with no pieces. It gets so frustrating.

thanks for posting. Have you tried ayurveda powder rinses and scalp massages? There's some moisturizing powders and growth powders check out the ayurveda thread I've been using them, Angeldoll has had great progress with them too and alot of others.
Mahabhringraj powder or oil is good for moiture, brhami for growth. Hesh powders are good and easier to find.

Link to her reggie: http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showpost.php?p=7396891&postcount=100

also on sale @ amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Hesh-Brahmi-Herbal-Powder-100g/dp/B000JWO7EY/ref=pd_sbs_hpc_1



link to ayurveda sites

http://www.hennausa.com/ayurvedaherbsc14.php

http://www.kamdarplaza.com/index.php?cPath=23_30&osCsid=be500d9792f5b51f911d5c6959da0f0c

http://hairveda.com/haircare.aspx
thanks ladies for the responses, I've been using weaves for my HYH challenges and it's worked out great, actually my HYH is finishing up.

 

[mzsophisticated26]

Thanks so much lucia, I did not know what the ayurveda method consisted of I am going to read up on it. I just started using JBCO for a week and I will use this for a few months to see what happens. I have tried megatek before but it did nothing but make it a little thicker but did not fill in bald spots after using it for 4mths.

 

[tocktick]

I've worn a weave once in my life and I hated it. Unfortunately, I got it done at about 14 so I couldn't remove it the same day but I was elated when I was finally able to get that crap off my head.

I wear braids with extensions now, which isn't exactly same thing but it's a bit similar in that it's still fake hair. I prefer braids to weaves and they serve their purpose of protecting my hair and being quick to style. However, I like almost everything about the look of my real hair. Once I gain length and am able to do quick cute styles, I'll love everything about how it looks and will be free of the fake hair.

 

[AtlantaJJ]

I was addicted to micro braids before I found this site. I wore them for years non-stop because they were so easy to deal with, I could workout and still look nice. I had the best most beautiful curly 3b hair from Lugos. I thought I was the ish. Until I started going to the African braiders. They were a lot more reasonable in price but, Uh Oh!! Traction Alopecia!

That cured me. Now that my edges are back, you could not come near me with a braid, forget about putting one in my hair!

 

[ceebee3]

I had a sew in about 5 years ago. My cousin did it for me and it looked really nice. I just could not stand the feeling, it felt so foreign. I took it out after 5 hours.

I want to try a weave again just to hide my hair, but I feel embarassed about people knowing that it's not my hair.

 

[Chameleonchick]

I mean who wouldn't like the luxury of using heat as often as you want to get a new look without damaging your own hair. However, eventually I miss my hair and take it out.

 

[NikStarrr]

I use to be addicted to weaves. It was just so low maintenance and I liked how I could have glamorous hair with minimal effort and no damage to my real hair. I think my real hair does look better, but I liked that I could style (flat iron, hot curl,etc) with no repercussions.