Hair extensions look beautiful, but they can also be expensive. If you ever want to add length, volume, or switch up your style, extensions are a great way to do that. They offer a lot of flexibility without waiting for your natural hair to grow out and you can easily remove them if and when you get bored. However, without proper extension hair care, you could end up with matted hair, dull strands, and even irreversible damage to your natural hair.
How to Take Care of Extensions
So you’ve decided that hair extensions are for you. Wonderful! Now it’s time to learn about proper care. Even though extensions don’t grow from your scalp, you should take care of them as if they do. After all, you spent money on it, why wouldn’t you want to make it last? We rounded up the best extension maintenance ideas to help you get the most for your money.
Replace Extensions Regularly
The cornerstone of extension hair care is getting them replaced regularly. Even if you maintain your extensions perfectly, you can’t wear the same ones forever. When you get the extensions installed, you should ask how long you can expect them to last to give you an idea of when you can expect to need to replace them. You should also keep an eye out for your own signs that they are ready to be replaced. When the place of installation is completely showing because your hair has grown out so much, it is time. If you try to leave them in for too long, you can end up causing significant damage to your natural hair.
Keep Washing Your Hair
This might go without saying but actually, a lot of people don’t realize that they can and should wash their hair even with extensions. One of the best extension maintenance ideas is to continue washing your hair. You shouldn’t wash your hair as frequently as you would normally, but that doesn’t mean you should stop altogether. Washing too frequently can cause the installation to loosen and reduce the length of time you can leave the extensions in.
In addition, you want to make sure you are washing your hair correctly. Avoid over-shampooing or over-conditioning the roots of your hair. You should be very gentle with some types of extensions like keratin bonds. If you are too rough, they will not last as long because the bonds will loosen.
Air Dry Your Hair
Whenever possible, avoid blow-drying your hair. Even with human hair extensions, blow-drying after every wash will make your extensions (and your real hair) dry and more vulnerable to breaking. For times you may need to blow-dry your hair, make sure you are using a heat protectant spray. And as you blow-dry, use the cool setting to present any heat damage. Also, do not brush the hair until it is about 90% dry. Since hair is weakest when it is wet, you should gently use your fingers to loosen any tangles when wet. Finally, always blow-dry downwards because it will smooth the cuticle and prevent the hair from getting tangled.
Sleep on Silk or Satin
Another best extension maintenance idea is something you’ve probably seen on TikTok - that you should purchase a silk or satin pillowcase. This is a great idea for natural hair, but it’s also a great way to take care of your extensions as well. You can either wrap them in silk or sleep on a silk pillowcase to help prevent them from drying out.
Start by using a small, soft bristle brush and gently brush the place the extensions are connected to your own hair. Then, tie a silk scarf around the circumference of your head and then tie it from around the back and knot it near your forehead. This will keep the hair all going in the same direction. Whatever you do, do not tie your hair in a topknot, low bun, or leave it unrestrained. If you do, you’ll end up with a matted mess in the morning.
Avoid Using Too Many Products
When it comes to what products to use on your hair, less is more. Using more products does not always equal better care. Plus, sometimes the products you use may end up fighting each other for proper results. If you use too many products, you will likely experience shedding. When it comes to day-to-day hair care, you probably don’t need any products at all. Save them for special occasions or nights out. Doing so also has the added bonus of lessening how often you will need to wash your hair.
Only Let Professionals Dye Them
When you use human hair extensions, you have the ability to dye them either to better match your natural hair or change your look. We do not recommend dying your extensions yourself. Instead, you should leave that to an experienced professional. Inappropriate treatment can make the hair dry and lead to uneven color. It is worth it to spend the money on getting the hair professionally dyed so that you don’t end up shortening the lifespan of your extensions.
Best Shampoo For Extensions
We’ve talked about the importance of washing your hair regularly and correctly. And now, you might be wondering what the best shampoo for extensions is. Make sure you pay attention to the ingredients of the shampoo and conditioner you use. Opt for products that are sulfate-free, have mild detergents, and will be very moisturizing and gentle.
Dry shampoo is not one of the best shampoos for extensions. While you would probably use it on your natural hair, you should probably avoid it as long as your extensions are in. Dry shampoo can dry out extensions, so limit how much you use it if you want them to stay looking their best.
Use These Best Extension Maintenance Ideas
If you want to get the most for your money, you need to know how to take care of extensions. Hair extensions often don’t come cheap. The last thing you want is to have to replace them earlier than you expected or not get your money’s worth. Make sure you continue washing your hair and do so properly, using the correct products and tools. Also, purchase a silk or satin pillowcase and avoid blow-drying your hair as much as possible. If you follow these extension maintenance ideas, you will be able to love your new hair for longer.
And when your extensions reach the end of their lifecycle, Snapped Hair is here. All our hair is 100% unprocessed High-quality 7a grade Brazilian Virgin hair. It can be dyed, curled, or bleached – making it easy to match your style preferences. Long-lasting and silky soft, Snapped Hair will last up to 5 sew-ins/installs with no shed, no tangle, just beautiful hair. For all your hair extension needs, join us at Snapped Hair and let your style shine.
Not only do we have an extensive online shop, but we have one of the best salons in the Merrillville, IN. If you're in Northwest Indiana and want quality care for your hair, visit us today! We are now also offering payment via Shop Pay or Sezzle so that you can split up your payments to make it more affordable!