Caring For Your Extensions
Professional aftercare is essential to maintaining healthy natural hair and hair extensions. This aftercare guide has been designed to help you maintain your hair extensions and keep them in the best condition. Looking after your extensions is vital. You are investing your money so the better you care for your new hair the longer they will last! We recommend you read the following guide, so you have a good idea of how to look after your new extensions. Hair extensions are a great way to change your look but they do require some maintenance and care.
After The Extensions Are Fitted
The first thing that you may notice is that immediately after the installation of the extensions and for the next day or two your scalp may feel tender. This is normal and will go away by the fourth day at the most. Discomfort isn’t a sign of a problem so don’t worry in a few days you’ll be so used to it you won’t remember life without them. Your hair never stops growing so day by day the extensions are getting looser mm by mm. That is why it becomes more comfortable as its growing. I aim to never put too much tension on the natural hair so the way your extensions are fitted are in an extremely specific position, so you get the longest lasting and most comfortable wear from them. I would avoid any tight or high hair styles for the first week as this is going to add even more tension to your scalp unnecessarily. Keep it in a low pony or loose plait or bun if you need to tie it back for work or the gym. After you have had extensions applied do not wash your hair for at least 2-3 days, use a dry shampoo on any oily root areas. This allows you to get used to having new locks before attempting the first wash.
Washing Your Extensions
With your new hair extensions you won't need to wash your hair as much as you would normally. You shouldn't need to wash your hair any more than three times a week if you do it can put too much stress on the extensions due to the excessive heat from the hair dryer. It can also cause the extensions to loosen quicker. Its recommended to wash your extensions 1-2 times a week. Use a dry shampoo in between if necessary. When washing your extensions always brush your hair before getting them wet then wash in the normal downward motion, no flipping your head over the bath or sink as it will cause the hair to all tangle together. Remember to wash your hair twice with shampoo, the first wash will break down the build-up, the second wash will remove the build-up. Do not apply conditioner to the roots or the beads as this will make the hair extensions loose and maybe slip out. You can pick the top section of your own hair up and apply condition to this section just try and avoid your root area. You may notice some colour coming out of the extensions on your first wash this is perfectly normal. Rather than washing the whole head every time, try a top wash in between! This means washing your hair above the extensions over the sink or the shower, tying your extensions back in a low bun out of the way. If you have top washed one too many times, then it is time for the full wash. Before washing it is advised to detangle your extension hair with an extension brush and separate the individuals. It is essential you only use shampoo and conditioner that is designed for hair extension use only. When drying your extensions use a cool to medium heat to keep the extensions in the best condition. When brushing your hair always start with the ends and work your way up, always be gentle and try not to catch the beads. Do not go to bed with your hair wet no matter how tedious blow drying may be it will matt up the hair extensions very quickly and you will lose lots of hair when you try to brush all them matts out which will make your extensions thin. Another reason not to go to bed with wet hair is that you could get mouldy hair yes mouldy hair due to the heat from your scalp and the wetness of your hair this is a great area for nasty bacteria to grow so dry your hair fully before going to bed. Pat your hair gently with a towel when washed, do not rub. I would advise to get a hair towel and leave your hair to dry for 15 mins before blow drying. Another tip is to be very careful with silver shampoo, it can grab very quickly and make blonde extensions blue/purple real quick! You will be using the product at your own risk. You can water down the sliver shampoo with conditioner if you need to but be extra careful as silver shampoo can dry the extensions out over time. Please avoid any supermarket products as they will just damage your hair extensions. They are not good for your weave or your own hair. Don’t spend a lot on your weave to use poor quality products your weave life span will shorten, and it may discolour them and dry them out unnecessarily.
Drying Your Extensions
Once you have washed your hair you need to take extra care when drying and styling it. The hair is at its weakest when wet so ensure it is dried gently and handled carefully. Hair extensions will last longer and look better for a longer period of time when properly taken care of so it is well worth taking the extra time to get it right. Before detangling we advise you to use a leave in conditioning spray followed by a wide tooth comb to detangle any knots, making sure you avoid the beads when brushing. Make sure all beads and weaves are dried completely. You can blow dry your extensions as you would your own hair, just more gently so you do not pull too much, pulling them too hard will loosen your extensions and will be uncomfortable on your scalp! You may find the hair feels fluffy once dry, so use heat protector and finish by using a decent quality straightening iron. Just a little tip that I do myself - I wash my hair before bed and fully dry with a blow drier then tie back until the morning, during the night the fluffiness calms down without any need to apply heat. If you want to air dry them, it’s no problem during the day but word of warning they will look fluffy/frizzy until tamed with heat!
Be very careful that you do not snag the bonds. Heated rollers, straightening irons, crimpers and tongs can all be used on the extension hair although it is advisable to use a heat protection spray to protect both your hair and the extension hair every time you use heat. Hairsprays, can be used but avoid the bonded areas as this may cause slippage. Hairspray will cause product build up over time and can make the extensions feel dry/knotty if not washed out properly.
Brushing Your Extensions
When brushing your hair make sure you are using a hair extension brush as this is specifically designed for your extensions. Other brushes with balls on the ends can rip and break the hair. You need to keep your extensions tangle free by brushing your hair up to two times a day but avoid over brushing as this can cause unnecessary shedding. Remember your extensions are attached to your own natural hair, pulling too hard or mistreating your extensions can result in your own hair being pulled out. It is perfectly normal to lose some hairs when brushing, remember most people lose up to 100 hairs a day. The only brush you should use near to your extension bonds is a soft bristle brush this brush will gently glide over the individuals and weaves. When brushing the extensions always hold the extensions at the top of your head, this will make sure there is no additional stress being applied to the hair. Start from the ends and work your way up to the roots, being careful not to tug or pull on the extensions. Brushing your hair when its wet is a big no! The extension attachment is most fragile when wet and the hair can get knotty. Wait until you have blasted the hair with the hair dryer for a little bit before you start blow drying with a brush.
Styling Your Extensions
You are able to style your extensions in the same way as you would your normal hair. You can straighten, curl, blow dry, but colouring your extensions is at your own risk and you will have to sign to say you understand this as colouring your extensions does not always go to plan. You are doing less damage to your hair by having extensions as you aren't using heat directly on to your own hair. Remember your extensions are attached to your natural hair, pulling too hard or mistreating your extensions can result in your own hair being pulled. Tie your hair back in a loose ponytail or plait using a soft scrunchie. Styling your new weave can be a lot of fun but please understand your extensions are fitted in your head to suit the majority of hair styles but mainly down. Half up half down styles and slick high pony’s may be more difficult to cover the extensions. The more heat you use on the hair extension can shorten the life span of the hair, treat your extensions with the same respect as you would with you own natural hair. Try to keep the curling and straightening to a minimum.
Sleeping In Your Extensions
Your extensions will feel tender for the first 3 days while you sleep on them, as I said before discomfort isn’t a cause to worry. I would suggest sleeping on a soft pillow this will help. It is a good idea to tie your hair in a loose plait or pony tail using a soft scrunchie when sleeping as this will minimise tangles and matting overnight. You could invest in a silk pillowcase or hair wrap as this reduces spilt ends and matting.
Maintenance
Maintenance is the key to keeping your own hair as healthy as possible, by having maintenance you are removing all the natural hair shed you lose every day that builds up in the beads and the further your hair extensions grown down your scalp the more pressure this will put on your natural hair. The recommended maintenance time frame is to book between six - eight weeks. If you are not willing to carry out the recommended maintenance when advised the next option would be to have the extensions removed as soon as possible. In the 3 months of wearing your extensions your hair will have grown by approximately 1.5 inches, the roots of your hair often start to tangle together if you have not separated the beads correctly. This is not healthy for your own hair and will cause damage.
Day To Day Activities, Life And Holidays
If you use a sun bed it is advisable to wrap the hair in a towel first, unfortunately sun/uv lights can dry out the hair extensions. If you work out regularly or regularly use a sauna or steam room make sure the extensions are completely dried as soon as possible after your session. We do not recommend that you swim with your extensions, as the chlorine in pools and salt in the sea combined with heat can cause the extension hair to discolour and matt. Chlorine, pool chemicals and salt will cause hair extensions to slip. However, if you do, we advise you take the following precautions.
Spray the hair extensions with a leave in conditioner this will reduce matting and the extensions drying out.
Place the hair into a plait using a silk head band and try to tie them as high as you can to avoid getting them wet. Keep your head above the water, do not swim under water and no diving. If the extensions do get wet during this try to dry extension hair immediately after swimming ensuring that first you rinse the hair in fresh water. Even avoiding the pool and sea and only washing your hair in the hotel shower may still have an effect on the extensions. Foreign water can contain a high hard water content. If you do have discolouration (pinky peachy or orangey tones) you may want to limit your hair washes and use bottled water when washing. If discolouration occurs, you will need to purchase the Malibu hard water wellness sachets! They are great at removing the discolouration.
Pregnancy And Hair Extensions
Getting a weave during pregnancy usually does no harm at all. Why not make yourself feel fabulous with your bump! One thing I must highlight though is the major hormone changes you’ll experience. Your hair can change a lot from a growth and thicken spurt or start to shed and thin out. If you choose to wear extensions during pregnancy, I am happy for you to come to me if you understand that your hair can change and that if you start drastically shedding or malting, you can’t blame it on the extensions. I've had so many clients who have worn them before during and after pregnancy and it’s your choice if you want them in or not. If you are happy to have the hair extensions fitted you must understand it is at your own risk, and you will have to sign to confirm you understand what may happen.
Itching Scalp
Itchy scalp this could be four things, the first thing is that your hair is not used to having all this weight on your head which causes less oxygen to get to your scalp, this will go down after a week or so. The second factor might be that your hair is getting loose and needs maintenance, this is caused by the extensions pulling on your natural hair. A very rare occasion may be that you are allergic to the metal/copper beads but it is very rare. The last factor might be that your hair just needs a good wash, so scrub away! If you have followed the above precautions but still suffer from itchiness, try applying soothing oils to your scalp. Create a mixture with a few drops of tea tree oil and your favourite carrier oil such as grape-seed, olive or coconut oils in a nozzle tip applicator bottle and shake well. The nozzle tip makes it possible to apply the oils directly to your scalp around and through the extensions . Tea tree oil is antibacterial and anti-fungal while adding a refreshing tingle to your scalp. Be careful not to over saturate your scalp because the oil will begin to run down your hair and into the extensions which will cause them to loosen.
Salon Visits
Please please please be careful when booking blow dry's or any other services with hair dressers or in salons, make sure they know what they are doing and they are using the right products and brushes for extensions. When they are blow drying your hair make sure they are not tugging or pulling to much as this will cause the extensions to snap or even cause bald patches. You are investing your money into these extensions and do not want them to be pulled out or cause damage to your natural hair. If this unfortunately does happen I will not be held responsible for their services and the damage they have caused. do not colour or tone your hair extensions as this will shorten the life spam and may cause the Extensions to become dull, knotty and matted, this would be at your own risk and all warranty will be void.
Other Additional Information
If you have had the individual extensions applied micro rings/nano rings or ultra-tips please make sure they are all still separate by pulling them apart from the broken hair by doing this it will stop matting and help the bonds grow out naturally please try to do this daily or after every wash. If you are having the weave applied make sure you are shampooing and brushing in between each row.
Lighter shades may have a slightly shorter life span than darker shades on average. The lighter shades will need extra care and less heat application to increase the lifespan. Colours can fade over time and it will happen quicker if the hair is drying out from heat damage or excessive washing!
My most common question I get asked is what products shall I use on my extensions so what I will do is recommend my favourite products and what works best for me.
Extended Lengths Sulphate Free Shampoo
Extended Lengths Conditioner
Extended Lengths Heat Protector
Extended Lengths Leave In Conditioner
Extended Lengths Miracle Spray
Extended Lengths Clarifying Shampoo
Extended Lengths Argan Oil
Extended Lengths Mask
You could also try Extended Lengths Biotin Gummies to help the growth of your natural hair.
Here is my hair wash routine:
Wash my roots twice with shampoo, mask for 5 minutes from the ears down, apply conditioner to the end of my extensions. I would apply my leave in conditioner spray to my hair from my ears down and wrap my hair in a micro fiber towel for 15/20 mins so it soaks up all the excess water making blow drying much quicker!
I then spray my miracle spray all over and brush the ends, I section my hair and blow dry till it’s fully dry, I would then style and apply my Argan oil to the ends.
I would shampoo my hair once a month with a clarifying shampoo to make sure all product build up is removed. If I was to style my hair again I would apply heat protection before hand.
When I sleep I usually place in a low pony tail or French plaits if I want a beach look.
Extended Lengths Salon