Knowing how to care for hair extensions is essential if you want your hair to always look flawlesss. Check out our guide and learn how to do it.
If you want a short bob one day and luscious locks the next, then hair extensions make that possible.
However, if you’re going to wear extensions, they have to look fabulous. The only way to keep them in flawless condition is by taking care of them in the way you would for your own hair.
If you’re a newbie to the extension world, don’t worry. This guide will provide you with all the information about how to care for hair extensions and continue to look amazing.
How to Care for Hair Extensions
You might be surprised to learn that extensions require lots of TLC. Here’s how to keep those strands looking gorgeous:
Create a Wash Routine
Taking care of hair extensions requires maintenance, just as your natural hair does. After all, you want to get the most out of your extensions, right? Take some time to wash them regularly, especially if you wear them often.
You should wash your synthetic hair every week and real extensions every month. You don’t have to follow those rules exactly. Just make sure that you set a schedule that’ll maintain the life of the hair and keep it smelling good.
Also, avoid using shampoo and conditioners that have sulfate as an ingredient. Sulfates strip the coating from the hair and reduce the moisture in the extensions.
Hair extensions don’t contain sebum, which is a natural oil that’s produced by the scalp. Therefore, the hair strands are more prone to breakage and frizziness.
Tie the Hair and Store It Properly
How you store your hair is a big part of extension care. Do not put them in a bag or scrunch them in a way that causes tangles. Hair extensions that are matted are difficult to comb out, and it’s hard to revive the look of the hair once it becomes frizzy and tangled.
Brush and Comb the Extensions Regularly
Speaking of tangles, it’s best to use a wide-tooth comb or soft-bristle brush to comb the hair. The best method for brushing and combing is to brush in a downward motion at the bottom of the extension and then work your way up.
Brush in the same manner that you would with your own hair. Be careful not to yank the comb through the extensions, especially hair that has hand tied wefts.
Use Heat Protectant
If you’re wearing extensions that are flat iron or curling iron safe, use heat protectant spray before styling. It’ll help to preserve the life of the hair and allow it to last longer. Extensions are prone to damage like natural hair, especially if you’re wearing human hair extensions.
Advanced Hair Extension Tips
Hair extension care shouldn’t only be used to revive old-looking hair extensions. Believe it or not, there are things you can do to make sure your extensions stay intact. Below are a few additional tips:
Reduce Shedding
Unfortunately, your extensions will shed. It’s natural for it to happen, so don’t freak out about it. When you brush your extensions, some hair will come out as well. But there are some things that you can do to minimize shedding.
Hair that is dry and brittle is more likely to shed. With that in mind, keep them moisturized as much as possible. Using a good conditioner after washing helps.
Lastly, use a low heat setting when curling or flat ironing your hair extensions
Reduce Matting
Matting occurs because the strands of hair rub against your clothing throughout the day, and the friction causes the hair to clump together.
Also, the back of your head sweats, and sometimes it gets on your hair strands. Sweat is salty and acidic and can dry the hair out. The best defense against matting is brushing continually.
It’s also best to use products that are specially formulated for reducing dryness. Using coconut oil and other oils can help to keep strands moisturized.
Drying the Hair
You should stay away from blow-drying your extensions as much as possible. Doing so can be very damaging to the hair. Understandably, it’s not always convenient or possible to air dry.
So, if you decide to use a blow-dryer on your hair, spray it with heat protectant first, and dry it on a low setting. That way, your hair extensions have a better chance of staying healthy.
On the other hand, when you air dry, lay the hair out on a flat surface so that it doesn’t scrunch it and become frizzy.
Apply a little bit of oil to the hair to keep the strands smooth. Lastly, brush over the hair so that it dries flat with no tangles.
Coloring Your Extensions
The advantage of wearing hair extensions is being able to play in them and do different styles without damaging your own hair. It’s understandable to want to have a little fun with your extensions.
But if you decide to color them, be sure to increase your hair maintenance. Extensions are prone to the same damage of natural hair, so coloring can do lots of damage.
Also, avoid bleaching. Bleaching is the quickest way to destroy the hair strands. If you decide to bleach the extensions, try doing it after you’ve had them for a while.
It’s not recommended on your brand new extensions, especially if you don’t know how to properly bleach hair.
Taking Care of Hair Extensions Like a Pro
There’s something about a good hair day that just makes a girl feel happy. Of course, having beautiful locks requires some effort, but it’s all worth it.
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