Taking proper care of your hair extensions is imperative and is something you should take very seriously. It’s important to get into a routine of taking care of your extensions from the start so that they remain happy and healthy, and last as long as possible. Keep reading to learn how you can extend the life and integrity of your hair extensions with these tips and tricks.
- Combing your hair is one of the most crucial parts of the maintenance and after care. It may not seem as important but if you don’t brush your strands regularly, you will experience tangling. Use the right comb– we suggest a wide-tooth comb or bristle brush.
- Let’s be honest, all extensions tangle no matter how expensive or high-quality they are. Your natural hair tangles as well, so it’s only logical that extensions do the same thing. Although you can never avoid that completely, you can do things to reduce the tangles. A way to prevent tangling could be to brush your hair before you wash it!
- The same goes for shedding! Your natural hair sheds about 40-100 strands a day. Even though extensions are attached to a link or tape, when you brush, wash and/or style them, they are going to shed at least a little bit. Therefore, any extensions whether they’re clip in or the ones that you have bonded in your hair, they all have a lifespan and it’s anywhere from a year or longer. It depends on how you wear them, take care of them when you style and wash them.
- You should get shampoo everywhere, especially around your scalp area where the extensions are. Scrub lightly in order to make it perfectly grease-free and clean. Don’t forget to wash your ends as well. Make sure to rinse your scalp thoroughly because shampoo residue can have the same effect as dirty hair. If you find your hair doesn’t feel totally clean after you wash it or if your styles aren’t lasting, it’s because you’re only shampooing it once. Remember that you have more hair now, so you might need to do two to three rounds of shampooing!
- We highly recommend using a sulfate-free shampoo (on the scalp only). If you feel like your hair needs some extra moisture, it’s okay to apply conditioner and/or a moisturizing mask but only on the ends (blonde hair especially needs the moisture!). Keep in mind that your extensions do not receive the natural nutrients that your natural hair receives so conditioning and hydrating is super important! Rinse product out well to prevent residue from laying near the tabs or links and use cold or water. Avoid washing your hair with very hot water as it is detrimental to growth and hydration.
- Ask your stylist about our hair care sets! Our sets are for the extensions and will leave your hair feeling volumized, clean, and healthy. All adjectives we want for our hair!
- Since extensions are human hair, they can burn as easily as your own. Be sure to blow dry on a low temperature and never forget to apply a heat protectant! When blow drying, make sure that the airflow is facing down. First, concentrate on removing moisture from the roots of the hair, where the extensions are attached. Do not abuse the iron, curler, or the dryer with your extensions because then you will be risking the longevity of your extensions. Before you start heat molding them, make sure they are completely dry. Pro tip– keep your iron, curler and dryer at no more than 350 degrees Fahrenheit!
- It is not advisable to do any type of straightening with Keratin or similar treatments as it can damage the grip of the extension (such as the adhesive of the tape, the closure or staple and even the thread of the Brazilian knot).
Keep in mind that your hair extensions need to be treated with love, just like your own hair. They need maintenance in order to last as long as you want them to– so follow these instructions and tips to keep them healthy. The better you care for your extensions, the longer they will last!