No matter your hair’s length, hair extensions are an excellent choice for adding length and volume. To ensure your natural hair extensions look their best, you must follow a hair care routine, whether you choose clip-ins or ones that get sewn-in. A super glossy and gorgeous hairdo of your favorite celebrity or model takes a lot of work. Natural hair extensions provide you flexibility, but if you don’t take care of them, you risk developing matted hair, dull strands, or even worse – irreversible damage to your natural hair.
Sew-ins, tape-ins, clip-ins, micro-links, and keratin hair extensions are all popular options, and each has its own set of benefits, depending on the look you’re trying to achieve. Regular upkeep is also necessary to maintain the extensions. The only issue with hair extensions is that they can be challenging to blend in with your natural hair. But that’s only when you learn how to use them properly. With the right extensions and a proper hair care routine, you can appear to have healthy and luscious-looking locks. In this blog, we share tips to maintain your hair extensions and keep that installation impeccable.
Tips to Care for Hair Extensions
1. Ensure that extensions are replaced from time to time
It is essential to take right care of human hair extensions to get the most out of them. Sew-in extensions can last up to two to three months with regular maintenance and visits to the salon. However, you should remove them when your natural hair grows out, the installation is prominent, or the style you started with is no longer recognizable. Try clip-in extensions if you’re sure you can’t dedicate yourself to such maintenance. The advantage of clip-ins is that you may remove them at the end of each day and reinstall them when you want to get a diva look.
2. Install your natural hair extensions right
Maintaining your high-quality hair extensions always starts with how you install them. Always ensure that your extensions is apply by a professional who has received training in the tape-in, sewn-in extension process. Poor installation can cause damage to your natural hair, forcing you to take the style out earlier than you intended.
3. Wash your hair and your weave
Even when wearing hair extensions, you must continue to care for your natural hair and scalp. Wait to wash the hair extension as frequently as you would your hair because excessive washing can cause the installation to loosen and you wouldn’t get long wear out of it. However, washing and conditioning the extensions at least every other week and, at a minimum, once a month is good.
When wearing micro links or keratin bonds, it is essential to be gentle with the roots of your hair when cleansing it. It is necessary to wash your pretty hair extensions before installing them. Your scalp is safer when you use a freshly washed weave that hasn’t been expose to manufacturing, shipping, or handling residue. Furthermore, working with clean hair weaves makes styling easier. It is recommend to go to the salon for a mild cleaning rather than doing it at home, as the professionals can properly clean it and blow dry your hair extensions without turning on the heat setting.
Here are the supplies you’ll need to wash an installed human hair weave:
- Use Sulfate-free Shampoo designed for human hair wigs or weave
- Moisturizing Conditioner
- Plastic Shower Cap
- Wide-tooth comb for detangling
- T-shirt or microfiber towel to dry hair
- Styling products of your choice
4. Moisturize your hair
It would help if you took good care of your scalp when wearing clip in hair extensions. We often forget that scalp is the skin, the largest organ in your body. The types of products you use are equally as important as the application.
Moisturization is essential as timely and regular hydration ensures that your coils are not damaged and frizzy. Sulfate-free products are crucial when it comes to the choice of your Shampoo and conditioner, something rich with emollients. Ideally, it would be best if you oiled your scalp every three days but avoid getting any oil on your extensions as it makes the hair stiff and it will lose its mobility.
5. Protect from UV Rays and Chlorine Water
You might think you have the healthiest hair, but even factors such as the sun, wind, and salt & chlorine can seriously harm your locks. The cuticle is penetrated by ultraviolet waves, which cause cellular damage to hair proteins and dry out your extensions. Extensions require special treatment since no oil travels down the hair shaft, making the hair dry. As a result, it is essential to use gentle products on the hair and hydrating.
Hair extensions require special treatment as no oil travels down the hair shaft, meaning the hair becomes dry. Thus, it is essential to use hydrating and gentle products on the hair. If you decide to dip in the ocean or pool, apply a leave-in conditioner to prevent any possible damage from salt or chlorine.
6. Use a satin or silk pillowcase.
A satin or silk pillowcase is an essential part of any hair self-care routine. Cotton pillowcases create friction that makes the cuticle rougher. Sleeping on satin or silk pillowcases will prevent these frictions. To further protect your hair extension, tie it into a high bun and secure it with a clip. To prevent frizzing due to conflict, you can also use a sleeping cap made of silk. Avoid using a cotton scarf, as it can absorb moisture from the hair, whereas silk does not.
7. Go Easy on The Styling Products
Using high-heat tools for styling could lead to breakage and frizziness, which can ruin your extensions faster than ever. Avoid blow-drying with a heat setting, and never brush to dry your hair. You can also use a microfiber towel to pat dry and absorb extra moisture. For the best care of your hair extensions, use heat protection sprays, gels, and creams before using heated tools like straighteners or curlers. Rollers can also be use, but don’t leave them in for too long.
8. Avoid Bleaching
If you’re looking to dye your hair, opt for semi or demi-permanent colors instead of permanent ones. These colors will wash out over a few weeks, reducing the amount of damage done to your extensions from bleaching.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to take right care of your extensions go forth and add those inches for a gorgeous look. Store your natural hair extensions properly when not in use. Place the extensions in a loose braid or wrap them in a silk scarf to prevent tangling or damaging.
Taking care of natural hair extensions can be challenging, but with the right tips and tricks, you can keep your hair extensions looking and feeling great. By following these steps, you can ensure that your natural hair extensions will remain healthy and beautiful.
