Caring For Extensions
Washing
Washing your hair twice a week is ideal, however, if this is not part of your usual routine, or you tend to wash once per week, ensure that you shampoo 3 to 4 times to promote a clean scalp. Wash thoroughly, making sure you use your fingers to scrub your scalp in between your extensions. Once washed, apply conditioner only from the mid- length of your hair to the ends of your hair, also applying to the extensions. Use your fingers to comb it through. Leave the conditioner or treatment for 3 to 5 minutes, and then rinse. If you can try to rinse in cold water, this is more beneficial for the hair.
Drying
When drying your extensions, it is super important to make sure that the root area of your hair, and the extensions, are thoroughly dry before tying it up or going to sleep. If it isn’t dry, moisture gets trapped in the hair and around the scalp, causing irritation & a damp smell! Depending on your circumstances, if you wash and don’t have time to dry all your hair, still make sure that the roots are dry! Make sure not to use a dryer on the highest heat setting, especially with tape extensions, as this can heat up the glue and cause them to slip.
Brushing
It is super important that you are gentle with your extensions. It’s beneficial to have the correct brush that will work through the hair, removing knots and tangles. Brushing should be done daily. (Please ask your stylist about the correct brushes you should be using). Be gentle when brushing to avoid putting too much tension on the hair.
Products
Making sure that you put moisture back into the extensions after washing is very important. The same way you would want to use Salon quality after-care for your own hair, your extensions will need the same. It is important to use quality products, including heat protectant and a leave-in moisturiser. if you have K-tip extensions or tape extensions, no product is to go at the bond of the extension, only shampoo! Your shampoo and conditioner should be paraben and sulphate free.