Caring for your Hair Extensions

Thought we would write another blog about caring for your hair extensions. 

Dry hair happens, it's a mixture of lifestyle and environment. So whether it's your natural hair or hair extensions, we know tangling and matting can be an annoyance. Tangling happens, it is normal, but it's important to follow the correct steps to minimise this especially for hair extensions.

Hair extension tangling can occur for various reasons, this includes a build-up of product, frequent use of hot tools including your hairdryer, and of course not using the correct hair care products for your extensions. Remember, hair extensions are old hair, and you have to care for it just like you would natural hair.

Here are a few tips that will minimise your hair extensions from tangling and becoming a knotted mayhem!

Recommended Hair Care Products

Use the recommended products for your hair extensions. Always apply a heat protection product before using any hot tools (this goes for natural long hair too). Any oils or moisturising products should be used from the mid-shaft down to ends. If you are experiencing product build-up, clarify the ends of your hair with a clarifying shampoo. Be careful, though, frequent clarifying the hair can cause the colour to fade faster and become dry.

Deep Conditioner

Dry hair is a common offender of tangling your hair extensions. Commit to using a deep conditioner once a week or a daily leave-in conditioner. Always make sure you apply the conditioner to the ends to avoid greasy roots, but also cause your extensions to slip. Using the correct conditioner, a mixture of moisture and protein-based will restore the condition caused by heat, swimming in chlorine, weather, etc. Make sure to use a comb to brush through the hair once the treatment is on.

Brush, Brush, Brush

This is such an important factor in your hair extension care routine. Keep an extension brush or loop brush to hand, brushing 3-4 times a day (or more if your extensions are super long) and always brush gently from the ends to the root.

Post-shower

Make sure to dry your hair correctly - if you wrap your hair up with a towel (turban style) or rub your hair together with a towel, this can cause a lot of friction and tangling. Instead, try gently squeezing the water out of your hair using an old t-shirt as the material is much gentler on the hair.

Bedtime Routine

Always braid your hair at night or pop it in a loose low ponytail using a scrunchie or spiral band, rather than an elastic band, as the tension from a tight elastic band can cause hair breakage. Make sure your hair is 100% dry, as this will prevent matting. Sleeping with a silk pillow, rather than cotton or other material can reduce the amount of friction caused by tossing and turning throughout the night.

For any more tips and hints on how to care for your hair, please keep an eye out on our blog, we pride ourselves in educating our clients on hair care.