What NOT to do with your Hair Extensions
So you’ve officially committed (or you’re still browsing articles looking for pros/cons to weigh before you make your decision) and now you have your new hair extensions! As can be expected, the maintenance for your new hair is going to be a little bit different from your natural hair, but it is important to remember that there are some things to avoid if you want to get the most out of your new hair! You should always bear in mind that your extensions, while attached, are not connected to your body in a way which allows the flow of nutrients to the hair. This means that from day one, your hair extensions will be degenerating- but not to worry! This degeneration takes a long time, and by following some simple maintenance guidelines, you can ensure the longevity of your extensions.
If you have short hair, you may have gotten used to washing your hair on a daily basis. We recommend washing one’s hair every 2-3 days with the extensions, to avoid too much damage from repeated wetting, drying, and styling. You can view styling options on our video blogs, but there are different ways to style your hair each day even when it isn’t recently washed, and you will still look fabulous (plus your extensions will last even longer!).
We all know that any type of heat styling is drying to hair, regardless of whether or not it is your natural hair or your extensions. Do always try to avoid heat styling when you can. If you must blow dry your extensions, we always suggest putting some sort of protection into your wet hair beforehand, like a leave-in conditioner. It will allow your extensions to dry without sucking every last bit of moisture out! Also, when styling with a straightener or curling iron, there are many products out there to use beforehand that help reduce the amount of damage. If you have concerns about styling, or if you need a set done for a special evening, the technicians at the salon are always delighted to do so for you, worry-free!
Another thing that seldom gets talked about, is putting pressure on the connections of your extensions. Not only is doing this damaging to your natural hair, but it also decreases the longevity of your extensions because the pressure can cause the connections to slide down the hair shaft further than what is normal. You can avoid putting pressure on the connections by using a special loop brush (available at the salon the day you get your installation) which has teeth meant to bounce back rather than getting caught in your connections (ouch!). You can also avoid putting pressure on your extensions by not wearing head bands that are tight around the head. There are still many head bands and head scarves available that are loose enough to avoid too much pressure, but still hold in your hair style! We strongly suggest choosing these types over tighter bands.
A final suggestion for maintenance of your extensions, is to avoid too much brushing. Brushing always pulls a certain amount, and you may notice that brushing hard increases shedding (which it does!). But what about tangles? As stated before, a leave-in conditioner before blow-drying will help keep your extensions from getting too dry. Dry hair is always more difficult to manage because it tangles easily. You can avoid getting tangles in your hair while sleeping by putting your hair up into a bun, a braid, or a pony tail.
All in all, it is very easy to maintain your new extensions, and since we all want to get the most for our money, proper maintenance is the best way to increase the longevity of your extensions, and get the most bang for your buck!