Daily maintenance for hair extensions
Are you new to the world of hair extensions and feeling a bit overwhelmed by the maintenance routine? Extensions can be a game-changer for adding length and volume to your hair, but they require proper care to keep them looking their best. In this detailed guide, we'll walk you through a simple and easy-to-follow daily maintenance routine for extensions, perfect for beginners.
1: Brush Gently
Start by gently brushing your hair with a wide-tooth comb or a soft-bristle brush. Begin at the ends and work your way up to the roots, carefully detangling any knots or tangles. Be gentle to avoid pulling on the extensions and causing unnecessary stress on your natural hair. Make sure you’re holding the top of your row and those precious corners.
2: Protect While Sleeping
Before going to bed, tie your hair in a loose braid, pigtails or ponytail to prevent tangling and matting while you sleep. You can also wrap your hair in a silk or satin bonnet/scarf or sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce friction and maintain the integrity of your extensions.
3: Avoid Heat Damage
Limit the use of heat styling tools such as flat irons and curling wands, as excessive heat can damage the extensions and your natural hair. If you must use heat, apply a heat protectant spray first and use a low heat setting to minimize damage. Your hot tools should never go about 360 degrees.
4: Moisturize Regularly
Keep your hair and extensions moisturized by applying a lightweight leave-in conditioner or hair oil to the lengths and ends of your hair. This will help prevent dryness and keep your extensions looking shiny and healthy.
5: Be Mindful of Products
Choose hair care products that are specifically formulated for extensions and avoid using products that contain harsh chemicals or alcohol, as they can strip the extensions of their natural oils and cause damage. If youre my client, I provide all of these for you and ask that you’re only using what I give you.
Weekly Maintenance Tips
In addition to your daily routine, it's essential to give your sew-in extensions some extra TLC on a weekly basis. Washing 1-2 times a week is ideal.
Tip 1: Wash with Care
Wash your hair and extensions with a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner once a week to remove dirt, oil, and product buildup. Focus on the scalp and roots, and avoid rubbing or scrubbing the extensions excessively to prevent tangling.
Tip 2: Deep Condition Regularly
Treat your extensions to a deep conditioning treatment once a week to keep them soft, smooth, and manageable. Apply a nourishing hair mask or conditioner to the lengths and ends of your hair, leave it on for 10-15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
Tip 3: Detangle Gently
After washing your hair, use a wide-tooth comb to gently detangle any knots or tangles. Start from the ends and work your way up to the roots, being careful not to pull on the extensions. This is when you’ll use your leave in conditioner.
Other maintenance required:
Every couple appointments you’ll want to budget to get your extensions colored and looking fresh!
Overall, it is pretty easy to keep your extensions maintained at home and in the salon! You have to find what works the best for you and your hair!