To ensure a long-lived look, it’s essential to get the maintenance rituals for both real human and synthetic hair down pat. Yes—there are differences between the two. Below, we’ve consulted with experts at top salons to inform us on the dos and don’ts when it comes to preserving these luxe hairdo additions. Brushing your hair extensions is something you should remember to do often. With the help of a good tool like a soft bristle brush. Helping you detangle your hair without damaging it. Start at the bottom, as you would with your natural hair, detangling that area first before you move up to work on the top sections. Be gentle with your extensions too, as pulling will cause serious breakage, turning your gorgeous, shiny clip-ins into a frizzy, dingy-looking mess.
Your clip-ins won’t get dirty as often as your natural hair does. Detangle before shampooing, use a good shampoo and take it slow. Wet your extensions bit by bit to prevent tangling. Using a downward motion when shampooing and rinsing them. You can, of course, follow up with a wide-toothed comb. In case they start to knot but you must be super-gentle. A nourishing leave-in conditioner will be a perfect follow-up for your maintenance routine. Spray it on or work it in using the same downward motion.
Brush out any remaining tangles carefully and voila. No need to apply a whole lot of conditioner at once. As this could put your extensions at risk of being over-conditioned. Which isn’t a good thing as it will make them look dull and limp. As well as cause them to get dirty again at a much faster rate. Now it’s time to air dry. Excessive heat can be terrible for hair extensions.
Your clip-ins, wigs or quick weaves need to be stored with love when unused. Clean, condition, dry and detangle them first then place them in an air-tight container big enough to accommodate them perfectly.
Taking care of hair extensions in summer needs to include a serious cap-wearing habit as chlorine and salt aren’t your hair’s best friends. Are your extensions made of synthetic or human hair? Now that’s one thing you must know for sure as maintenance of hair extensions differs significantly depending on the material. Human hair can be brushed, straightened, curled, or even re-dyed should you decide to change your hair colour while synthetic strands usually can’t. Some types of synthetic extensions can be styled using heated appliances although the general rule still says you can’t dye synthetic hair nor you should brush it too much.
Even the best quality extensions need upkeep which means regular trips to the salon for a pro checkup. Your hair can look absolutely gorgeous for up to six whole months if you decide to follow the rules and check back with your stylist every 5 to 7 weeks for professional, thorough detangling, styling, chop and eventual re-fitting.
