Washing Your Hair Extensions

Getting a great install is half the battle. To ensure that you get the most out of your hair extension and installation, you must follow the following tips. I know many of my clients like to wash their hair daily or sometimes twice a day. That is not an option when you have a hair extension. I would suggest you wash your hair a maximum of twice per week, preferably only once per week.

Before you start the washing process, we always recommend that you comb all of your hair (hair extension) with a bristle brush. This will help remove any tangles you may have. What’s amazing about the bristle brush is that it’s great at removing any tangles, which I would say better than a comb. (Depending on the severity of the tangle)

Using the proper products is essential. Not all shampoo and conditioners are meant to be used on hair extensions. If you have a favorite product already, make sure that it is sulfate and alcohol-free. These components are not good for the hair extensions or your natural hair. These components can dry out your hair, which weakens your healthy hair and hair extensions.

When you wash your hair, be mindful of how you scrub the hair extension and your hair. I know that it feels good to tip your head over and scrub away. Doing that may cause your hair and the hair extension to tangle. The best way to wash your hair while wearing hair extension is to keep your head upright, especially in the shower. Gently massage your scalp with your fingertips. Do not use your nails to wash your scalp; you can end up cutting yourself. Softly move your hand up and down, or side to side, following the way the weft was installed or your braid pattern.

Retrain yourself from washing your hair in circular motions; doing so can lead to cause tangles or even matting. When you apply the shampoo, make sure it’s on your scalp. When applying conditioner, if you have oily hair, do not apply on your roots; simply applying mid-way. Avoid applying conditioner or any oily products on the Micro links; this can cause the Microlink to loosen up and tighten in a shorter period of time.

Hair Care For before Sleeping

Avoid going to bed with wet hair. Is not healthy for your hair or the durability of the hair extension. Do you have thin hair, and you’re used to washing your hair and going to sleep, and your hair is dry the next day? Unfortunately, that won’t be the care after you add hair extension. It changes everything; you now have more hair, which takes longer to dry. Do not do this, especially if you have a partial or full sew-in. Always make sure you thoroughly dry your hair before you go to bed. To prevent tangling or matting, we suggest you tie up your hair before bed. Using a bonnet or silk pillows will help your hair’s oils and the hair extensions get transferred to your pillowcase. This can prevent acne, matting, and tangling as well.

Drying Your Hair Extensions

The west way to blow dry your hair is by letting it air dry for some time. It is not recommended to dry your hair extension dripping wet. Before you start:

1. Make sure you untangle the hair and apply a good leave-in conditioner.
2. As we mentioned before, use a bristle brush.
3. Before combing your hair, hold the hair extension and start combing from the end and work your way up. This will prevent adding unnecessary tension to your scalp.

When doing so, you must dry the weft by avoiding using the highest heat setting to prevent the Micro links from slipping.

A good way to blow dry your hair is to section the hair into four pieces. Once the hair is blow-dried, use heat thermal protection serum to prevent any heat damage if you plan on using other tools like curling ion, wand, flat iron, and so on. We all want a silky finish, and using heat protectant can help you achieve that.

Styling Your Hair Extensions

Be mindful that using hot tools, not but direct heat to the Micro links. Avoid applying certain products like gel, edge control, hairspray, and serums on top of the hair extension’s wefted part. It will help prevent product build-up and slippage. Heat tools are great tools, but try not to overuse them. You can use different alternatives to create perfect curls like curling rods, magic hair rollers, sock bun curl, pin curl, Bantu knots, and the list goes on and on. When using heat tools, we recommend setting the temperature at no more than 350 degrees.

If you purchase straight hair, you will have a harder time curling the hair. The hair will always try to go back to its natural state. All this means is that the curls would not last as long as if you would purchase our Body Wave, Spanish Wave, or Curly Hair.

If you purchase any curly pattern out of our hairline, keep in mind that this is natural hair. The more you make the hair silky straight, you will start losing the curl pattern.

Dying Your Hair Extensions

We strongly suggest you do not color your hair on your own. Take the hair to a hairstylist that knows how to color hair extensions and, if familiar, the way our hair lifts. We have partners in different parts of New Jersey; they will be able to assist you best. If you still decided to dye the hair extension on your own, make sure you avoid putting chemicals on the wefts. We only advise you to dye the hair darker when doing it yourself. Ask a professional for suggestions on which brand to buy that will not harm the hair. We also are not responsible for any problems you may encounter if you decided to dye it yourself. Certain coloring products contain multiple elements which may damage the extension hair. This includes using any toners. If you decided to color the hair extensions, this is done at your own risk!

After a professional has colored your hair extensions, ask them for product suggestions to help nourish the hair back to its healthy state.

Brushing & Combing

You must be as gentle as possible when combing the hair. Remember, the extensions are attached to your natural hair. If you pull hard, this can result in pulling out your own hair. Use a bristle brush that does not have the balls at the end of each bristle. Depending on the quality of the brush, the balls can fall off and cause breakage. Always start combing from your ends and work your way up, holding the weft in place to provide extra support and release any tension from your scalp.

Everyday Activities

We all love a nice tan! If you use sunbeds, make sure to wrap your hair in a towel. Exposing your hair directly to the sunbeds can cause your hair to try out and weaken the hair extensions. For my active clients who work out regularly, we recommend you only the Microlink technique. This allows you to air dry your natural hair and the hair extension. If you regularly use the steam room or a sauna, make sure you wrap your hair with a towel to prevent the hair from receiving too much steam. Exposing the hair to steam regularly deteriorates the hair.

Vacations & Swimming

We all love to unwind and have an amazing time on vacation; usually, swimming is included in the To-Do List. Before you dive into the pool or the sea, we recommend you comb your hair with the bristle brush, add a leave-in conditioner, and create a big braid if possible. This will prevent any big matting, tangling, or breakage. The chlorine that is in the pool and the salted water are known to cause excessive matting and tangling. Be aware; you may also experience discoloration.

Ensure you wash your hair as soon as possible to get all the salt and chlorine out of your hair. Deep condition your hair to nourish it back to health. All these chemicals trip away nutrients from the hair. Remember to comb the hair before washing it and follow the steps above. Don’t forget to avoid going to sleep with wet hair and follow our sleeping routine guide we suggested, but most important, let loose and have fun!