Hi all

I have just had 4 tracks or weaves put in (corn braids with hair extensions stitched to them) and I have a couple of questions I'm hoping you can answer.

I had them done a week ago, a bit of pain after, but I epected that, but the last few days they are ITCHY, ITCHY, ITCHY!

I want to scratch my head off!

Is that normal? 

Im also worried Im going to cause breakage with the scratching but its driving me nuts! 

They are not painful or red that I can see, just itchy.  I have had problems with itchy scalp in the past so thats possibly part of the reason.  Anyway has anyone had itching? Does it pass? Anything I can do to alleviate?

Im also worried about hair loss after reading a post in another thread about braids

Do you normally get hair loss with these? Ie traction allopecia?  I have rather fine hair to start with - I dont want to end up with super thin hair & feel like I cant get rid of the extensions without looking bald!

I also have mono fibres in the (i think its called fusion?) fringe area and have experienced some breakage with these on the last lot and pain for 2 months after having them in.  If anyone can compare their experience or their clients experience with the tracks/weaves vs the fusion type method Id like to read it?

Thanks 

Oh forgot to mention

I dont have braid extensions, the extensions are to give me long hair, just using the tracks to attach them - dont know if that makes any difference?

hi Kimmyh51. I used to get the itchies too, after about a week or two. It will go away in a few of days. I think its pretty common and it can be relieved. Ive never went out and bought anything for it because it usually goes away within a few days, but I think I recall people mentioning that they use tea tree oil on the scalp for the itchies.

I used to use glued in tracks, and I do strand methods now. Im not sure if my scalp is just desensitized....or if the itchy thing is more common with track methods?

I used to get itching with my weave a lot.  Sometime very intense itching.  It's your scalp's reaction to being braided.

I would carefully scratch it with the end of a rattail comb.  Also, so soothe the itch, I'd apply Seabreeze to a cotton ball and dab it where it itched.

In general, I think weaves can be great on some people with no damage, and on others it can cause damage. 

Weaves look nice, but they are the most unconfortable extension method ever, and that's why strand extensions are becoming for popular.

Thanks for the replies

metal girl did your itching pass?

Over here (In NZ - so I dont know what seabreeze is either - not something thats sold here) it cost $1500 - $3000 for strand by strand extensions, compared to buying human hair for $50 euro in france ($90NZD) and paying another $280 for the braiding.  So theres a HUGE price difference, plus the weaved hair can be re used and the strand by strand cant.  So I just cant afford the other method

if the itching doesnt stop ill have to have them taken out as Im scared of breaking my real hair with the scratching.  Its been one week & 2 days, itchy through out but worst in the last 2 days.  How long should I wait to see if it will pass?

some times you can have a reaction to the braiding hair. or even the weaven hair.. do you no if its yaki. I no alot of people who are very ichy to that yaki stuff.. Go to the store and buy some braid spray.. when you start to ich spray that.. try not to ich it cause you will cause breakage...