Make them last!
No faff, just serious aftercare advice for hair extensions.
The root of natural hair lies within a follicle, which possesses a rich blood supply, enabling nutrients to reach and nourish it, but for hair extensions, an aftercare routine is essential for keeping even the finest quality of hair in a good condition, it is vital to maximising the lifespan of your extensions.
The Dos and The Don'ts
THE DOS:
1. Use Sulphate and Sodium Chloride Free Shampoo and Conditioner purpose made for hair extensions.
We recommend Hair2Love’s Luxury Haircare. Refrain from the general high street products which may dry your hair extensions. Remember to not twist or rub your hair during washing. Instead, gently massage the scalp with shampoo and let the water run through your hair. After conditioning, simply pat your hair with the towel, do not wrap it up in a towel.
2. Use moisturising masks once a week.
This is essential to keep your hair healthy and happy for many months of wear, again we recommend our Hair2Love Intense Damage Repair Mask, specifically made for extensions.
3. Use leave-in oils or conditioners daily.
Your natural hair gets all important nutrients from your scalp, however hair extensions will rely on you to bring them nourishment. Moisturising daily will help to retain moisture and keep your extensions looking healthy and shiny.
4. Use a purpose-made brush for hair extensions.
Detangle daily, brush your hair before wash and bedtime and make sure you are only using a specific hair extensions or detangling brush (without bobbles).
5. Always start brushing your hair from the tips in a downward motion, gently moving higher towards your roots.
The smaller the resistance the less likely the bond will fail. Keep resistance low by working up in small increments.
6. Always use heat protection when applying heat to your extensions.
Protection is essential to ensure no damage is made during styling.
7. Put your hair in a loose braid before going to bed.
Avoid tangling your hair and bonds during your sleep by braiding first.
8. Consistently separate your bonds as your daily routine.
The consistent separation will avoid any potential hair matting.
9. If exposing to pool or sea water ensure you wet hair with clear water first, then wash at first opportunity.
Treated or salt water can cause the hair to dry, use this technique to help prevent damage.
THE DON'TS:
1. Bleach, colour, or perm your hair extensions.
Your hair extensions have already undergone a chemical processing to enhance and manage colour, this means additional stress on the hair can cause irreparable damage.
2. Never brush your hair when wet.
Hair is at its most fragile when it is wet, therefore, brushing your strands before they are fully dry may cause damage.
3. Do not flip your hair downwards when washing - Only wash with your hair upright.
Always wash with your hair upright - this is to ensure there is no additional stress on your roots and bonds. Wet hair is far heavier than dry hair, by flipping hair downwards you change the weight distribution within the bond which can potentially lead to individual strands being pulled out.
4. Do not apply any conditioning or moisturising products directly on, or near your bond/tapes.
Direct contact of conditioning and moisturising agents will likely cause your hair extensions to slip at the bond.
5. Do not use any silicone containing products.
Silicones can commonly affect the bonds, loosen them, and cause slippage.
6. Do not wash your hair for 48 hours after install.
This will help the adhesive or bonds to settle and firm.
7. Do not wash hair extensions more than twice a week.
The additional stress of more frequent washing and drying may reduce your hair extensions lifespan.
Above all else... Enjoy your hair!
We hope you have enjoyed reading the main points of aftercare here, many will be relevant to you and some may not, but it shouldn’t be a chore, love your hair and it will love you.
Aftercare products especially for hair extensions are available from many good suppliers. If interested in our recommended aftercare products, use Hair2Love.
Thank you for reading.
