Now that you've invested into high quality hair you want to make sure that you care for them so they last. Hair extensions require work as they are not like our own hair, they must be cared for daily, you can’t just wash & go. The better you take care of your hair extensions, the longer they will last, especially permanent hair extensions because they are worn every day. With our own hair, we have natural oils that keep the hair healthy, but this is not the case with hair extensions as they’re no longer connected to the scalp, they no longer have that nutrient supply. You want to maintain the beautiful quality so you can reuse & re-tape your tape in extensions by following the aftercare tips
Washing – Wait 2-3 days before washing hair to allow the tapes to bond well, this also applies after having your maintenance done at 6-8 weeks. Keep your hair extensions clean & untangled. Hair tangles when dirt & sweat build up so wash your hair after exercise & swimming. Brush your hair & remove all tangles before washing it. It is recommended to wash your hair with cool or warm water. When drying, Pat hair dry with towel rather than rubbing, allow hair to air dry or if using a hair dryer make sure that you are using a heat protectant. Use high quality salon grade hair care products but don’t overdo it, too much hair care product can cause build up & tangling over time, so you want to be careful with the amount of product you use. Never use any products containing oil on the roots/bonds, alcohol or ethanol as this can damage the hair extensions & also wear down on the adhesive. When using conditioner do not apply conditioner to your scalp, condition from mid-shaft to ends only.
Sleeping - One common mistake is to keep the hair wet, especially when sleeping. Never sleep with wet hair extensions and make sure your hair is completely dry before bed as it can damage your extensions by tangling & breaking, there is also more chance of them slipping when wet. If using a hair dryer, make sure that you are not applying direct heat to the hair. For that, you can use the diffuser attachment in the dryer using a heat protectant also. Always make sure the hair is dry and gently pulled up/back or preferably put into a braid/plait at night.
Brushing - Always use either a tangle teaser, wide tooth comb or a hair extension loop brush, slowly release the knots from the bottom first & work your way upwards, this is gentle & avoids hair breakage. Brush the hair in a downward motion with a hair extension brush several times a day. Be sure to brush properly, holding the roots to prevent pulling on the bonds, use a wide tooth comb to remove tangles if needed. It is recommended to wear your hair up or in a ponytail when you exercise.
Swimming - Chlorine & salt water can cause hair to become dry, brittle, tangled & matte decreasing the longevity of the extensions. Keep your hair away from chlorine & salt water when possible. It is better to try avoiding wetting your hair when swimming, but even then, your hair is still exposed to the chemicals & salt water so make sure the chemicals don't stay in the hair for too long. Shampoo your hair immediately after swimming. If possible wear a cap, keep your hair out of the water or apply a treatment mask to the hair before swimming to help act as a barrier.
Oils, nutrients & products – Your hair extensions need lots of moisture now that they have lost their natural nutrient supply. Low pH/High moisturising shampoo, conditioner & treatments are great for the hair extensions. Make sure your products are sulphate, paraben & protein free to keep hair extensions in good condition. Quality argan Oils, coconut oil and moisturising serums are great for the mid lengths & ends of your extensions to help them feel soft, shiny & smooth. If you feel your extensions are bit dry the products being used may not be moisturising enough so we suggest you try another product. There are certainly many products out there that will be great for your extensions & we haven’t tested them all but if you are experiencing any issues, please stop using your products and contact us ASAP, so we can look into it before it does cause any significant damage. Protein on your hair extensions can throw off the moisture balance making hair more prone to breakage, frizz and damage. Due to the extensions have already undergone an intense chemical process you cannot use keratin or protein on your hair extensions as they are unable to absorb it correctly. Purple shampoos are extremely drying on your hair and the extensions it will cause them to become dry, brittle & tangle, we understand you need to use these to tone your hair but please use very sparingly, only when needed not every wash as it decreases the longevity of the extensions, also please keep in mind 2 in 1 shampoos, anti-dandruff & clarifying shampoos & saunas can also be drying if used constantly.