How Do I Look After My Human Hair Extensions?

Hair extensions are a great way to add volume, thickness and length to any hair. Lots of people long for long, thick locks but are frustrated by how slow their hair grows, but with extensions you don’t have to wait. Extensions will instantly update your look and open the door to a variety of different styles. However, extensions can be quite costly and in order to get your moneys worth and keep your hair looking fabulous it is essential to look after your extensions so that they will last for as long as possible. If you neglect to take care of your extensions then they will start to look fake and may even drop out, this really isn’t the look you were going for! So by taking a little extra time you really can get the best out of your extensions!

The golden rule of hair extensions is: be gentle. You must keep in mind that if you pull some of the hair out it is not going to grow back in the same way that your natural hair will. This rule stands when washing, brushing and styling your extensions. You should try to brush your hair at least twice a day and when brushing start from the bottom and work your way up. It is also advisable to first use a wide tooth comb first to tease out any tangles and then use a normal bristle brush to go over your hair one more time.

You should be careful when washing your hair not to pile your hair up on top of your head as this will cause it to tangle. Also be very careful when combing your hair when wet as this is when it is at its most fragile. Before you go to bed you should tie your hair in a loose ponytail or plait so that it doesn’t become tangled while you sleep.

Once your extensions have been fitted your stylist will advise you on the best sort of products to use on your hair. You should follow these instructions and make sure that you always wash your hair with moisturising hair care products as the extension hair can get dry as it does not get any of the moisture from the natural oils your scalps produces. Moisturising products will help to extend the lifespan of your extensions and keep them looking healthy and shiny.

As well as using moisturising products you should aim to deep condition your hair one a week. If you can, leave it on for about 20 to 30 minutes as this extra moisture boost really will keep your extensions in tip top condition.

You need to pay special attention to the ends of your hair as it is inevitable that your extensions will get split ends. The only way to keep split ends at bay is to regularly trim the ends. You should try to do this every 6 to 10 weeks but you must be careful how much you trim off as you may lose the length of your hair very quickly. Remember it won’t grow back after it’s been cut! You may want to get your extensions professionally trimmed but you could also try doing it yourself at home.

Just like your natural hair, every time you subject your extensions to heat you must protect them with a heat protection spray. Even though you have free reign as to what heated appliance you use on your locks, you must still protect your hair. A little bit of heat protection spray before using a hair dryer, straightners or curling tongs will protect your extensions and keep them looking in good condition for longer.

Tags: bristle brush, different styles, extension hair, hair care products, hair extensions, locks, natural hair, natural oils, scalps, sleep, stylist, tangles, tooth comb