Taking care of hair extensions is essential for keeping them looking great and extending their lifespan. Often, issues that seem related to quality actually arise from inadequate maintenance. In this guide, we’ll explore how to properly maintain your extensions, ensuring they stay beautiful and last as long as possible.
Table of Contents
Hair Extension Care
Let’s explore some important tips to help you maintain your hair extensions effectively.
Keep Your Hair Hydrated.
Blonde hair extensions often receive the most quality complaints, and there’s a reason behind it. These extensions start out black and undergo bleaching to achieve those light shades you love. Unfortunately, this bleaching process damages the extensions, making them porous and less able to retain moisture.
The result? Dry, frizzy, tangled, and eventually brittle extensions that shed. However, there is good news: if your hair extensions are of decent quality, they can be restored to a more desirable state through proper moisturization.
If you’re struggling with dry hair, use a good-quality moisturizing shampoo free of sulfates. Use a quality conditioner, leave it on for 15-30 minutes, and rinse. You should notice that the hair is going to be softer already. But you can further enhance this with a moisturizing mask and leave-in conditioners.
Oil on your extensions is meant to retain moisture but can also have the opposite effect: locking out moisture. So, never use oil when your hair is already dry, and it’s a tool that should only be used when it is already moisturized.
The order is always: Shampoo > Water-based Products > Anything else. Oils are just the cherry on top.
Wash Your Hair Extensions Regularly
How often you should wash your hair extensions is a question asked by many wearers. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on the quality of your extensions, which products you use, how much buildup you have, and whether you can tolerate the smell.
Generally, I recommend washing your hair twice a week using a sulfate-free shampoo, followed by conditioning with a conditioner specifically designed for hair extensions. These products are gentler and help preserve the extensions.
It’s common to worry that regular washing might dry out and break the extensions. However, if your extensions are healthy, they should handle regular washing without losing moisture. If they are already damaged and more porous, they might dry out more quickly. If you can’t restore moisture with the previously mentioned tips, you might need to wash your extensions less frequently.
Having oily and smelly hair constantly in your face is unpleasant. Some people might be less sensitive to smells or less bothered by oily hair, but if that’s not you, it’s better to wash them more frequently.
When you finish washing, ensure not to leave the wefts or bonds wet, as this can cause damage. Wash the extensions in a downward motion and rinse thoroughly to remove all product. After washing, gently squeeze out any excess water and use a microfiber towel or cotton t-shirt to pat them dry. Never use heat directly on the base of the extensions, as this can dissolve the bonds or glue that holds them together.
Avoid Heat Styling
No matter what anyone says, heat damages hair. Even if you use heat on well-moisturized hair and apply a heat protectant, repeated use will eventually harm the hair and shorten its lifespan.
Think of it like trying to extinguish a candle with your fingers. Even if you moisten your fingers first, by the time you snuff out the 10th candle on your birthday cake, your fingers will start to feel the burn.
However, if you absolutely must use heat styling tools like straighteners, curling irons, or hair dryers, it’s crucial to protect your extensions. Using a heat protectant spray before any styling tool is one of the best ways to shield your extensions from heat damage. This spray creates a barrier between the heat and the hair, minimizing damage and preventing split ends.
Moreover, it’s important to use these tools at the lowest possible temperature. High heat can cause permanent damage to hair extensions, so always opt for the lowest heat setting that still gives you the results you want.
Protect Your Extensions While Sleeping
Protecting your hair extensions while you sleep is important. Letting them hang loose can lead to tangling and damage. To prevent this, simply tie them into a loose braid or ponytail before going to bed.
Using a silk pillowcase is another good strategy. Unlike cotton, which can create friction and damage your hair, silk helps reduce friction, keeping your extensions smooth and protected.
Store Your Extensions Properly
In our office, we keep our stock of extensions stored in plastic packages in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. This method has proven effective; even after years, the extensions remain in great condition, and a simple wash and conditioning bring them back to their original healthy state.
However, hair extensions left out in the open lose their nutrients and become dry, making it difficult to restore them to their initial, healthy condition.
So, if you’re not using your extensions, it’s crucial not to leave them exposed. Proper storage is the key to maintaining their quality over time.
Use the right products
Using the right hair extension products is essential for maintaining the health and beauty of your extensions. Regular hair products may contain harmful ingredients that can damage the extensions, so using products specifically designed for hair extensions is crucial. Look for sulfate-free, alcohol-free, and pH-balanced products, as they are gentle and safe for your natural hair and extensions.
Bond Builders and Repair Products
Products like Olaplex and K18 can improve hair extensions by “repairing” them. Just remember: Hair can’t be repaired and can only be chemically altered. Chemically altering hair is rarely something positive.
Sometimes they might seem to make your hair better at first, but continuous use may not necessarily lead to further repair and could destroy your hair extensions along with your own hair. K18 is considered a safer option compared to Olaplex. Always follow the instructions provided on the product label.
Never try them on all your hair, and always start with a small section. There are tens of thousands of people who claim to have suffered long-term hair damage from these products..
Be Flexible with Your Hair Care Routine
It’s important to be flexible in how you take care of your hair extensions. What worked for one set might not work for another. Instead of following a strict routine, adjust your methods to fit the needs of your current extensions. Keep an eye on their condition and change your care plan to give them the best treatment possible.
For example, hair extension production varies around the world and this affects how you should care for them. In India, it’s common to quickly add oil to dry hair. But really, this type of hair needs a good wash and conditioning to look its best.
In China, manufacturers often do a lot to keep the hair nourished and moisturized, sometimes adding a silicone coating that helps for a while. However, once this coating washes off, the real quality of the hair shows. If the hair is damaged and porous, it will lose moisture fast and you’ll need to moisturize it right away to prevent further damage. If the hair is healthy, you won’t see much moisture loss.
Every set of extensions might need a slightly different approach, so it’s important to figure out what your hair needs.
Conclusion
Taking good care of your hair extensions is essential for keeping them looking great and lasting longer. This guide has outlined essential practices, from ensuring proper hydration to selecting the right care products, that are key to maintaining the health of your extensions.
Hydration is particularly important for blonde extensions, which are prone to damage and dryness from bleaching. Regular washing with suitable products, proper storage, and avoiding heat styling help maintain their quality. Also, being flexible with your care routine, adjusting it based on how your extensions respond to different treatments, can greatly enhance their longevity.
By following these practical steps, you can manage common issues and extend the life of your extensions, ensuring they remain as vibrant and lush as when you first got them.
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Questions & Answers
How do I keep my blonde hair extensions hydrated?
Water-based hair products such as conditioner and hair masks work best when applied to clean hair. Therefore, it is best to start with a hydrating shampoo. Once you have cleaned your hair with shampoo, apply conditioner and, if needed, a hair mask. This is the mainstay of your hair care routine. It is essential to remember that oil and water do not mix, and using oil on your hair can have an adverse effect. Only use it as a cherry on top.
What are some extension maintenance tips?
To maintain your hair extensions, brush them regularly, avoid using excessive heat styling tools, and store them properly when not used. You should also avoid using hair products that contain alcohol, as this can dry out the hair and damage the extensions.
How should I brush my hair extensions?
You should use a soft-bristled brush or a wide-toothed comb to brush your hair extensions. Start at the ends of the hair and work your way up to the roots, being careful not to tug or pull on the hair. You should also avoid brushing the extensions when wet, as this can cause damage and breakage.
What hair extension products should I use?
To care for your hair extensions, use a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner. If you’re dealing with dry hair and regular snags, you could opt for a leave-in conditioner or serum to prevent tangling and add moisture. You may also want to use a heat protectant spray if you use heat styling tools.
How do I wash my hair extensions?
When washing your hair extensions, use a gentle sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner, and avoid scrubbing or tangling the hair. Gently massage the shampoo into the hair, rinse thoroughly, and then apply conditioner, leaving it in for a few minutes before rinsing again. Allow the extensions to air dry, or use a low heat setting on a hair dryer.