Wash Your Extensions Correctly

While it is true that your extensions can be treated just as you would do so your natural locks, there are a few things that you need to remember on your next hair wash day.

When it comes to the Shampoo and conditioner that you use to wash your hair, we would always strongly recommend investing in the products that your hair extension technician recommends.   They need to include the right ingredients to not only keep your extensions in good condition but also allow your natural hair to continue growing healthily. This means avoiding products that contain ingredients such as sulfates and alcohol, which are known for stripping your hair of its natural oils and in turn, making your extensions more likely to get matted.

If possible, washing your hair in the shower, allowing the water to flow down your hair. While it may be easier to flip your hair over the bath to clean quickly, this does make the extensions more prone to tangling, meaning that you’ll have to spend ages afterward brushing out knots. When washing, always ensure that you focus your shampoo on the roots to remove excess oil and conditioner on the ends to keep them nourished. Putting conditioner anywhere near your roots may cause the extensions to begin slipping down your hair, making them last far less long. Also, try to use warm water rather than scorching hot as this, again, will strip the natural oils from both your hair and scalp.

 Always Brush Extensions with Care

As with your natural hair you need to be gentle and best to follow the sequence of starting to brush at the ends of your hair before working your way up. This method will cause the least strain on your hair, extensions and scalp, keeping them all healthy.

When it comes to how many times you brush a day, as long as you are gentle, the more, the better. However, if you’re looking for a precise recommendation, we’d always say first thing in the morning, before you go to bed, before washing and after washing.

 A Weekly Conditioning Treatment

Your natural hair is being fed with a constant supply of natural oils from your scalp, keeping it nourished even if you have more of a laid-back haircare routine. However, as your extensions are only bonded to the root, it does mean that, unfortunately, they do not receive any of these natural oils. So, to keep them filled with moisture, you should always schedule a weekly conditioning treatment.

There are so many different ways that you can do a deep conditioning treatment on your extensions, and as long as you do not apply it near to the root, you can use any products that you wish. Natural products are always a sought-after option because not only are they affordable, but they also guarantee complete hydration. Coconut oil, argan oil and macadamia oil are all perfect for keeping your hair smooth and shiny.

Minimise Heat Damage

Just like your natural locks, hair extensions become damaged when you overuse heat on them. As all of our extensions are 100% human hair, they can become brittle and split ends will accumulate. This means that no matter how many conditioning treatments you apply, once the extensions are damaged, you may have no choice but to replace the hair. However, there are many different ways that you can keep heat damage at a minimum. Here are our top tips:

• Use Heat Protectant – Before using any heated styling tools, don’t forget to apply a protectant. Some products that you use on wet hair and others that are sprayed on just before you begin styling.
• Turn Down the Temperature – When you are using heated tools, try to keep the temperature as low as possible. Of course, you do need some level of heat to achieve your perfect style, so experiment with different settings to see what works best for you without burning your extensions.

 Never Sleep with Wet Extensions

Now that you’re a pro at washing your extensions, its time to move onto drying. Although it may be tempting to head off to bed with your hair slightly damp, we cannot stress enough the importance of thoroughly drying your locks before going to bed. Never sleeping with wet hair is a rule of thumb when it comes to caring for your extensions. Trust us; we have seen so many clients in the past coming back for their maintenance appointments with tangled and matted roots or extensions that have fallen out, simply down to not following this advice.

Your hair is at its weakest when it is wet, which means that the tossing and turning while you sleep can take its toll on both your natural locks and extensions. It also means that when you wake up in the morning, you’ll have serious bedhead which forces you to spend what feels like an eternity detangling. Even when taking extra care to brush out knots, you will be putting the bonds under immense pressure, pulling at your scalp and loosening the bonds.

 Avoid Tangling While You Sleep

Although there is no way of stopping yourself from tossing and turning throughout the night, there are a few handy ways that you can avoid waking up to a bird’s nest of hair the following morning. In keeping knotting at a minimum, you won’t have to put as much pressure on both your roots and extension bonds while trying to brush them out.

One of the best ways to keep your extensions under control overnight is to tie them back very loosely before going to bed. If you’re looking for a quick and easy solution, putting your hair in a low ponytail with a silk scrunchie or spiral hair band is perfect. Alternatively, while it may take a little practice, a loose French braid is another excellent way to prevent tangling and even better, you’ll wake up with beautiful beach waves.

Separate the Bonds Daily

Last, but most definitely not least, you must ensure that you take the time to separate your bonds each day. While this may sound super tedious and time-consuming, it actually only takes a few minutes and if you do it daily, will take even less time. You won’t need any tools to do this; simply use your fingers to feel each of the bonds and check that none have started to become tangled. If they have, carefully try to separate them – you might sometimes need a small brush or comb to do this. In ensuring that bonds are always separated, you can stop the extensions from becoming matted against any loose or shedding hair.