If you’ve already made the worthy splurge of investing in hair extensions, it’s time to get the maintenance rituals done for them. When dealing with hair extensions, you’ll have to make the commitment to preserving these hairdo additions to ensure their long lived look. Whether you use clip in hair extensions, tape in hair extensions or any human hair extensions, it's important to get into the habit of following a proper hair care routine otherwise you'll end up with matted , dull strands and even worse can do irreversible damage to your hair.
In order to keep your hair extensions young and alive, you have to keep them moisturized as they lack the natural hydration source that your own hair has. Let’s find out what else you need to do to prolong their lifespan. In this blog, we’ll guide you on how to take care of your hair extensions.
Replace Hair Extensions Regularly
Replace hair extensions to avoid tangling and matting
Even if you give your 100% in maintaining your extensions, you can’t wear the same set forever. Stylists recommend replacing your extensions every six to eight weeks to avoid tangling and matting. Sew-in Hair extensions can be used for up to two to three months with ideal care and multiple visits to your hairdresser. Also, when your hair grows out and extensions start to show, know that the time to remove hair extensions has come. Remember that paying regular visits to a stylist can help you to keep your extensions on for long.
If you can’t commit to maintaining them properly, go for Clip-in extensions. They are brilliant temporary hair additions that you can take out at the end of the each day. You can wash and condition them with regular shampoo and conditioner to help soften and detangle them. If you are using human hair extensions, make sure you use sulfate or paraben free shampoo only. Also, avoid infusing your hair in chlorinated or salt water as doing this will damage your hair. To add longevity, spray your clip-ins with a leave-in conditioner and keep them safe in a silk or satin bag. You can also style them the way you want and accentuate your style quotient to the next level.
Avoid Heat Tools And Use Heat Protectant
Excessive dependency on heat tools leads to hair damage
One of the most crucial things to consider when taking care of your human hair extensions is that you don’t overuse heat tools to style them. Instead, go for heat free styling options. Also, make sure that you use sulfate free and alcohol free products as they make your extensions soft and manageable without stripping hair of moisture. Your extensions lack essential nutrients and oils that your hair naturally gets, so you must use heat protectant spray before you heat style them. Overuse of shampoos and conditioners may make your extensions susceptible to damage and shorten their lifespan.
Wash Your Extensions Carefully
Use Sulfate free conditioners to wash hair extensions
Since your extensions aren't subject to oils that are produced by your scalp, you don't need to wash them regularly. The less you wash your extensions, the longer will be their life. Wash them only if there's product build-up and it's getting difficult to style them. Make sure you are hydrating your extensions sufficiently so that your set remains nourished and moisturized at all times. It is recommended to wash your extensions once a month by sulfate free shampoos and conditioners. It’s important for you to know that sulfate and alcohol based products strip your hair of its natural oils and make it dry and susceptible to matting.
Always ensure to apply sulfate free conditioner before and after you shampoo your hair. Don’t rub your extensions vigorously while washing and be sure to rinse them in cold water. Once you’re finished washing, squeeze excess water from them and don’t rub them dry with a towel.
Drying Extensions Require Special Technique
Adjust your blow dry to a cool setting
It's not recommended to blow dry your extensions after every wash as they may get dry and vulnerable to breakage. You can use heat protectant spray before blow drying to prolong their lifespan. Make sure to adjust the settings of your blow dryer to a cool setting, as this will prevent heat damage. Also, you mustn't brush your hair until it's dry, as brushing wet hair may cause it to fall. Instead, run through your fingers gently to lose tangles, if any. Start blow drying the root of the weft first and then work your way towards the ends. Blow drying in downward motion will help smooth the cuticle and prevent tangling.
You can also try air drying your extensions instead of blow drying. When air drying, use a microfiber towel as it will absorb excess water faster and won’t cause tangling. Now lay out your set of extensions on a flat surface and gently pat the excess water from them. To avoid unnecessary frizz, apply oil to wefts to ensure silky smooth hair.
Learn the Brushing Technique
Use wide tooth comb in downward motion
When combing your extensions, use a wide-tooth comb, or you can also use a soft bristle brush. The benefit of using a wide-tooth comb is that it glides through the hair and removes all tangles gently. It prevents hair from pulling, snagging, and damaging. For brushing, gather all your hair together and start brushing at the ends of your hair. Place your hand gently on the attachment points and hold them to avoid pulling on the roots. Slowly work your way up towards the roots while ensuring you are brushing in a downward motion. Stop combing a little early when you get to the attachment point. Always make sure that you don’t pull the attachment points. Repeat the brushing technique to cover each row of extensions. This way, you will be able to comb your hair without damaging them.
Store Extensions Safely
Store hair extensions in cool and dry place
If you want hair additions to look great every time you use them, you should know how to keeping your hair extensions in perfect condition correctly. Hair extensions have to be stored in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Direct exposure to sunlight can lighten their color, especially coppers, pastels, and red ones. Before storing extensions, make sure they are dry completely to avoid build up of moulds and bacterias. Also, check if the clips are closed in case of clip-ins toi prevent any damage.Wrap them in cotton material before finally placing them in a box or so. As far as storage options are concerned, you can keep them in the box that they came in or a regular shoe box, storage bags, or simply put them on hangers inside your closet. With the right storage, you can save time in untangling them before wearing them every time.
Conclusion
It’s vital that you take proper care of your extensions as you do for your hair. After all, this beautiful hair addition is exclusively designed to fulfill your hair goals. It essentially becomes your duty to store them properly and make them look new and fresh every time you think of wearing them. They not only add length, volume, and thickness to your hair but also make you stand out from the crowd by accentuating your overall looks and personality.
Nothing beats the confidence that you get when you have good bouncy, lengthy, voluminous, and shiny hair. Not everyone is blessed with such hair, but you can always get those luscious locks in no time. Thanks to the discovery of hair extensions! No matter how thin, small, dull or bad your hair is, you can completely transform its fate by adding extensions.
Whether you want to show off your trendy hairstyle or new highlights, or you want to hide the secret, you can wear them for every occasion. Now that you have the trick of handling those stunning hair additions to their best, go forth and add those inches; you’ll love the new look and new you for sure!
