Hair Extension Care Guide
Congrats on your new hair! You look absolutely stunning and the confidence extensions give is awesome, right? So you look good and you feel good, now what? How can you maintain this hair? Hopefully you held onto that extension care guide that was sent home with you from your first install appointment, but if not this should help! Here’s your care guide refresher:
Wash your extensions properly! Use sulfate free and color safe shampoo focusing mainly on your scalp, do this up to 3x until your hair feels CLEAN. Your ends should only need shampooed every other wash. Remember to gently wash under the beads or tapes to remove buildup. Don’t condition at your roots as this can cause beads to slip!
Never sleep on wet hair extensions! This can cause major matting that may result in you needing a new set of hair. Instead, apply a heat protectant and fully dry your extensions. I’d recommend loosly braiding them before going to bed.
Invest in a silk or satin pillowcase or a bonnet. If purchasing a bonnet make sure to get one that is large enough to hold all of your hair without being tight. I personally like the Slip silk pillowcase or you can find comparable satin ones from Bed Bath & Beyond and Target.
Brush your hair throughly and gently with an extension brush (NOT a wetbrush) at least 3 times per day! An extension brush has a mix of boar bristles and plastic bristles to smooth and avoid snagging the weft string. Brushing multiple times a day prevents matting and tangles that can quickly destroy your extensions. If matting becomes an ongoing issue, your stylist may suggest switching to clip-in or halo extensions that are more temporary and less maintenance.
Going on vacation to somewhere sunny? Ditch the traditional sunscreen in favor for clean mineral sunscreens such as Alba Botanical, CeraVe, Bare Republic, and Sun Bum. Sunscreens that include Avebenzone (Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane) and Octocrylene can severely in irreversibly discolor and damage your extensions often turning them pink or orange. Always tie your hair up on top of your head before applying sunscreen.
If you’re planning on swimming in a pool or the ocean do your best to not get your hair wet! The strong chemicals in pools can discolor your extensions and cause matting or even break down the tapes for tape in extensions. Salt water can also cause matting and severe dryness. Before getting in the water, spray with leave in conditioner and tie your hair up in a loose bun.
Store this guide for future reference so you can keep your extensions in the best shape possible. As always, check with your extension specialist for more care tips and info on what products to use. And don’t forget to stay on top of your maintenance schedule!
