HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR ALTERNATIVE HAIR EXTENSIONS
You now have your dream hair and have invested in high-quality Hair Extensions and your Hair looks FANTASTIC, you want to keep your Crown looking great! To help you take care of your Hair Extensions and keep it looking beautiful, healthy and Prolong their life, you will need to follow some basic hair care routine tips to maintain your hair, such as:
Brush Often
Just like your Natural Hair gets tangled, Hair Extensions will tangle too and so, when you have Hair Extensions, it’s important to Brush your hair extensions daily with a soft-bristle or loop brush, and detangle them gently from the ends to the roots. Brush them often to lessen and prevent tangling. I recommend brushing your hair twice a day at a minimum. Brush your hair extensions daily with a soft-bristle or loop brush, and detangle them gently from the ends to the roots.
Make it a habit to carry around a brush or a wide-toothed comb – I recommend using an extension-safe brush with boar bristles and flexible bristles.
To prevent breakage or shedding, you’ll want to place your hand at the top of your row or weft while brushing your hair. This will prevent excess pulling or tugging as you brush out your hair. It’s also a good idea to start brushing your hair from the bottom, removing any tangles, and working your way up to the top of your head. This method can also help to reduce the amount of pulling on your extensions.
Lastly, DO not ever brush your Hair Extensions when Wet. When your Extensions are Wet, they are more vulnerable to breakage. Instead of brushing your hair when wet, feel free to brush prior to getting your hair wet.
Limit How Often You Wash Your Hair
When it comes to Washing your Hair Extensions, this is where you want to be more low-maintenance. My recommendation is to wash your Hair ONCE a Week or every TWO Weeks when you have Extensions.
If you wash your hair more, you’ll risk drying out your Hair Extensions. When your extensions are drier they can break easier, which can lead to more shedding and require you to replace your extensions more often. When you do wash your hair, I HIGHLY recommend double shampooing for optimal scalp health! Once you’ve shampooed make sure to rinse your hair really well to ensure you don’t leave any product residue in your hair. You’ll also want to condition your hair. Conditioner should be used from mid shafts of your hair to the ends, never or only very little towards the root area or scalp. When you condition, focus on damaged or known dry areas of your hair.
Washing and conditioning are important pieces of hair extension care, but what you use on your hair has an impact too.
Hair Products Matter
Whether you have extensions or not, the products you put in your hair make a difference in the health of your hair. That’s why you’ve likely heard of sulfate free shampoos or know about hair product build up in your hair.
The main rule when it comes to hair care products for your extensions is to make sure you’re using products that keep your hair hydrated, rather than drying it out – dry hair extensions are more prone to breakage.
USE SULFATE FREE HAIR PRODUCTS
Wash your hair extensions with gentle and sulfate-free products, and avoid applying conditioner to the roots or bonds.
Why is sulfate free important for your hair extensions? Hair extensions are more prone to dry out than your own hair because they aren’t being replenished with oil or nutrients like your natural hair is. This means anything that is likely to cause your extensions to dry out should be avoided. Sulfates can dry out your extensions, making them more prone to damage like breakage or shedding.
USE SULFATE FREE HAIR PRODUCTS
Oil for your hair extensions is an important part of keeping them hydrated and preventing all the negative consequences of dry extensions. How much oil you use depends on the amount of hair and hair extensions you have, but start with less and you can always increase the amount you use. When you apply oil to your hair extensions apply from the mid-shaft to the ends of your hair.
Sleeping With Extensions
When you’re sleeping, you’re likely to be moving your head around during the normal course of your sleep. I recommend brushing in the morning and before bed. But there are a few other simple things you can do to avoid any unnecessary tangling and subsequent damage to your extensions while you sleep.
OTHER STYLING PRODUCTS
Hair masks are another great product you can use to help keep your hair and extensions fully hydrated. I recommend using a hair mask once or twice a month in place of your conditioner to get the maximum benefit.
You’ll also want to skip using any strengthening or keratin-building products altogether. These products can actualMore brittle extensions can lead to more damaged hair extensions rather than stronger, healthier locks like you might expect. Instead of using a strengthening treatment, use moisture-rich salon professional products only.
Beyond sulfate free products, you’ll also want to avoid the following ingredients in any hair care products you are using: dimethicone, quaternium 80, 95, 16, sodium hydroxide, Moroccan oil, coconut oil, and silicon-based products. This list is always growing and changing, so if you are considering using a new product to use on your extensions, it’s best to check with your stylist to make sure it’s safe to use.
USE EXCESSIVE HEAT STYLING
I mentioned it a few times, but hair extensions are more prone to dry out, and styling with heat can just add to the dryness. If you want to keep your hair extensions looking healthy, avoid using heat to style your hair too often. Small touch-ups with heat tools are fine on days in between washing but don’t forget to refresh with a new application of heat protectant each time to reactivate those benefits.
It’s not always realistic to avoid the heat tools altogether, but if you can reduce your use it’ll do your hair extensions (and your natural hair) good. Air dry your hair as often as you can to avoid blow drying. Use natural styling methods (the braids at night), and if you choose to use heat styling tools, Style your hair extensions with low to medium temperature setting possible and always use a heat protectant spray or serum to prevent damage.
USE SILK
To help reduce the amount of rubbing on your pillowcase, you can use a silk or satin pillowcase. Using these more frictionless materials will help reduce matting and frizz while you sleep. The less friction, the less likely your hair is to tangle while you sleep – another benefit of using a silk or satin pillowcase.
LOOSE BRAIDS OR PONYTAIL
To reduce the amount of tangling at night, I also recommend putting your hair in a loose ponytail, loose top knot, or loose braids before you go to sleep. If doing a ponytail, a low one to the side is recommended. You can use whichever hairstyle you prefer for bed, but the point is to keep your hair from being completely loose. This will help prevent some of the natural friction that happens at night and protect against some of that natural tangling. If you use loose braids at night, you’ll likely have a nice wave in your hair for easier styling when you wake up.
DON’T SLEEP WITH WET HAIR
My last tip for sleeping with hair extensions and it’s important, don’t ever sleep with your hair wet. Dry your hair extensions thoroughly after washing as its weakest when wet, so it’s important not to make the situation worse by sleeping on it that way. your extensions will thank you with less frizz and less breakage.
LEAVE YOUR HAIR UP IN A BUN
One other thing you don’t want to do with your hair extensions is leave your hair up in a bun or ponytail for multiple days. It can be tempting sometimes, but when you leave your hair up for multiple days at a time, it can cause excessive tangling and matting. So take your bun out at the end of the day and brush your hair before bed to avoid having a tangled mess in your hair.
USE CERTAIN SUNSCREENS
What does sunscreen have to do with your hair extensions? I mention sunscreen because it’s essential to many people’s skincare routines, but certain types of sunscreens can negatively impact your hair extension colour. Sunscreens with avobenzone can actually discolour blonde extensions. Another ingredient to watch out for in sunscreen is octocrylene. So check your sunscreens before you use them because you don’t want to end up with discoloration in your extensions.
We went through a lot in this hair extension care guide, so let’s wrap it up with a summary of the top dos & don’ts for taking care of your hair extensions. Use these extension care tips as a quick reference when you need a refresh on how to take care of your hair extensions.
HOW TO TAKE CARE OF PROTECTIVE BRAIDED HAIR EXTENSIONS
Wash your braids once every two weeks with a gentle shampoo and conditioner, focusing on the scalp and the roots. Rinse thoroughly and squeeze out the excess water with a towel.
Moisturize your braids daily with a lightweight oil or spray, especially on the ends and the edges.
Avoid using heavy or greasy products that can weigh down your braids or cause buildup.
Wear a loose Ponytail/Bun or Braids before going to bed to Prevent Tangling. Sleep with a Silky Headscarf, on a Satin or silk pillowcase to Reduce Friction and Breakage while you Sleep.
Refresh your braids every four weeks, by redoing the front and the back sections, or trimming the ends of the loose hair. This will help to extend the lifespan of your braids and prevent them from looking dull or messy.
Style your braids with care, avoiding too much heat or tension. You can use a curling wand or a flexi rod to create waves or curls on the loose hair, but make sure to use a heat protectant and a low temperature setting. You can also use hair accessories, such as clips, bands, or beads, to add some flair to your braids.
Only use Sulfate Free Shampoos/Conditioners and Wash Hair every Two weeks for Optimal Scalp Health. Double Shampooing is highly Recommended, & Don’t Forget to Rinse REALLY Well.
Leaving your Hair in a Bun or Ponytail for Multiple days can cause Excessive Tension on the Scalp, Tangling and Matting. Always take your Hair Down at the Beginning + End of Every Day.
Book Now
Book your Free Consultation Today
Text your Name & the words “Free Consultation to: 206-376-0733 and get ready to indulge in the Victopia experience.
PLEASE NOTE: Victopia Hair & Beauty Studio is an Appointment only salon Accommodations can be made outside our set opening hours if need be