Care for Hair Extensions
Hair extensions are wonderful. You can add length to your hair or a beautiful streak of color. They can cover a bad cut or color and allow you to tie short hair in a ponytail. With all the glorious things they can do, can you return the favor and take good care of your extensions? Proper care of extensions ensures they'll be around for a while.
Contents
Steps
Caring for Clip-In Extensions
- Take your extensions out before going to bed, and brush them gently. Unlike sewn-in extensions, clip-in extensions must be removed before you go to bed. The tiny combs can dig into your scalp while you sleep, which can be painful. They also tend to be more fragile than sewn-in extensions.
- Wash your extensions once a month using a gentle shampoo and conditioner. Place the extensions in a tub or sink, and dampen them with lukewarm water. If you can, use a handheld shower head. Apply a small amount of shampoo and gently massage the fibers. Rinse the lather out, and repeat with the conditioner.
- If your extensions are synthetic, use a wig shampoo intended for synthetic fibers.
- If your extensions are real hair, use a mild shampoo and conditioner, or a shampoo intended for extensions.
- Hang the extensions up to dry, and don't brush them while they are wet. Pat them dry with a soft towel first, then clip them to a pants hanger. Place the hanger in your shower, or in a well-ventilated area. Wait until the extensions are dry before you brush or style them. If you brush them while they are wet, the fibers will frizz.
- Comb extensions using a wide-toothed comb. Make sure that the extensions are dry. Start combing them from the ends first, and work your way to the top. Never comb straight down from the top to the ends.
- Keep them moisturized, especially when you style extensions often. When your extensions are dry, comb a little bit of leave-in conditioner evenly. Don't overdo it because they'll become greasy easier than your natural locks.
- Take care when heat styling your extensions. It is best to avoid heat styling, such as straightening or curling, all together, especially on synthetic extensions. If you must heat style them, be sure to use a heat protecting spray, and a lower temperature.
- Make sure that your extensions are dry before you heat style them.
- Avoid blow drying extensions. This can cause them to tangle.
- Style the extensions before you clip them to your hair.
- If you can, get two sets of the same extensions. Keep one pair "just for curling" and one "just for straightening." This will cut down on style time and damage.
- Only wear extensions in a ponytail if they were made to be worn that way. Some extensions will fall apart in a ponytail. Read the labeling when buying new extensions to see if you can use them in a ponytail. If it doesn't say whether or not you can, it is best to be on the safe side and do not put them in a ponytail.
- De-frizz synthetic extensions with water and fabric softener. Fill a spray bottle with two parts fabric softener and one part water. Close the bottle, and shake it to mix. Spray the extensions with the solution, then comb through them. Use a wide toothed comb, and work in small sections, starting from the ends first.
Caring for Sewn-in Extensions
- Detangle your hair before washing it, and before going to bed. Use a wide-toothed comb, a wig brush, or a special looper brush. A looper brush is specially designed for extensions, and has looped bristles. Start combing your hair from the ends, and work your way to the roots in small sections. Never comb straight down from roots to ends.
- If you just got extensions, wait a few days before combing your hair. If you must comb your hair, do so gently, and avoid getting too close to the joint.
- Wash your hair every other day using a gentle shampoo. Lather your hair gently, and work the shampoo downwards, from scalp to ends. Try to avoid touching the sewn part. Massage your hair using circular motions.
- Ask the stylist who did your extensions what sort of shampoo you should use. She might be able to recommend a shampoo that is best for your hair as well as your extensions.
- Take care where you apply the conditioner. Start applying the conditioner from just below the sewn part. If you apply too much conditioner where the extensions connect with your real hair, your extensions may fall out.
- Dry your hair all the way to the roots. When you get extensions sewn in, you end up with twice as much hair. It looks great, but it will take twice as long to dry. Make sure that you dry your hair completely, or you will risk the extensions loosening.
- Consider spraying your hair with a heat protecting spray first. This will protect both your hair and your extensions from the hairdryer's heat.
- Avoid using heat styling on your hair, such as straightening or curling. If you must heat style your hair, use a heat protecting spray and a medium to low temperature.
- Don't tie your hair back just after you get the extensions. Wait a few days.
- Cover your hair with a net or sleeping cap before going to bed. This will protect your extensions, and keep them from getting frizzy or tugged out while you sleep.
Tips
- If your extensions are made out of real hair, consider applying a bit of coconut oil to the tips. It will help nourish them and make then shinier.
- Avoid using heavy products on extensions. This can weigh them down.
- Note the material your extensions are made out of (synthetic or real hair). This will determine what products and temperatures you should use. Some synthetic materials can't withstand high temperatures.
- Get sewn-in extensions lifted every few months.
- You get what you pay for when it comes to extensions. If you know you're going to be wearing them often, pay a little more for better quality, longer lasting ones.
- If you can't find extensions that match your hair color, dye your hair, as dying extensions ruins them.
Warnings
- Never apply heat to the tips of extensions. The heat retardant material on the rest of the extensions fades on the tips so they damage easily.
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