Aftercare
Correct aftercare is so important when it comes to your extensions. To ensure you get the full lifespan from your hair, or maybe longer, please ensure you follow the aftercare guidelines below.
We do not recommend colouring, toning, tinting or perming your hair extensions. These types of products each contain chemicals that can damage the hair extensions. Even though most extensions are 100% human hair, it is not receiving natural nutrients from the scalp like your own natural hair. The more heat you use on the hair extensions the shorter the lifespan of the hair.
Treat your extensions with the same respect as you would with your own natural hair. Superior aftercare and regular maintenance will keep your hair feeling and looking great for longer.
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 after a week at the most. Rest assured that this is not a sign of a problem but just because of the added weight of the hair.
IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER;-
- At night, we recommend you to tie your hair back in a loose ponytail or plait using a soft scrunchie for bed.
- Never wear your extensions for longer than 3 months without maintenance. In the 3 months of wearing your extensions your hair will have grown by approx 1.5 inches. The roots of your hair often start to tangle together if you have not separated the bonds correctly and therefore it is not healthy for the hair if left.
- Lighter Shades have a bleach content therefore will not last as long in life span as non bleached hair. The lighter shades will need extra care and less heat application to increase the lifespan.
- Products such as hairspray and mousse will dry out your hair extensions and can destroy them.
WASHING YOUR HAIR EXTENSIONS
Before washing it is advised to detangle your extension hair with a wide tooth comb and separate the bonds.
Your hair extensions should only be washed between 1-2 times per week. It is essential you only use the recommended hair suppliers shampoo and conditioner when washing your hair as any other products that haven't been approved by the supplier may ruin the hair extensions and dry them out!
When washing your hair, do not tip your head over the bath as this could cause tangling - always wash with your head upright – in the shower is ideal. Smooth the shampoo down the hair extensions – do not rub vigorously! Only condition from the mid lengths to the ends of the hair. Do not apply any conditioner to the bonds as this will cause slippage. You can pick the top section of your own hair up and apply condition to this section. Pat hair gently when washed – do not rub.
Depending on the brand, silver/blue shampoo can discolour/damage extensions. We advise testing a few strands before using on your hair. XTen/X10 will make your hair extensions feel dry, tatty and damage the bonds. Tresemme, Pantene and Head&Shoulders can strip the colour from your hair.
This includes sulphate/sulfate free products as they contain other agents which are quite strong and remove the adhesive of the wefts and crumble pre bonds.
If hair extensions dry out it is usually because the incorrect aftercare has been followed or they need a professional blow dry.
DRYING
After washing follow by detangling with a wide tooth comb, making sure you avoid the bonds. Make sure all bonds are dried completely. Be very careful when brushing the hair when wet, make sure you support the extensions hair by holding the bonds.
For a sleek finish, section your hair off and blow dry using a round brush with soft bristles. Be very careful that you do not snag the bonds. Finish by using a good quality straightening iron.
Heated Rollers, Straightening Irons, crimpers and tongs can all be used on the hair extensions although it is advisable not to use heat protection sprays, serums, gels etc as they contain ingredients that may do more damage than good.
BRUSHING
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. The only brush you should use near to your extension bonds is an extension brush – this brush has soft loop bristles and a cushioned bristle base, meaning the brush gently glides over the bonds. When brushing the extensions always hold the bonds, making sure no additional stress is put on the hair.
DAY TO DAY ACTIVITIES
If you use a sunbed it is advisable to wrap the hair in a towel first. Sun beds can dry out the hair and melt the bonds. If you work out regularly or have regular use of a sauna or steam room make sure the bonds are completely dried as soon as possible after your session - leaving the bonds in a constant damp environment could cause them to deteriorate.
We do not advise getting hair extensions if you are pregnant or for one year after having a baby as hormonal hair loss during and after pregnancy can be accelerated by wearing hair extensions.
When working out or doing any exercise that can make you sweat you will need to wash your hair immediately afterwards as your bodies salt can dry your hair extensions out!
SWIMMING & HOLIDAYS
We do not recommend that you swim with your extensions, however if you do, we advise you take the following precautions
- Place long extension hairstyle into a braid, using a covered band.
- Avoid getting hair extensions wet when swimming. Keep your head above the water, do not swim under water and no diving.
- 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 the keratin bonds to break down and disintegrate which will result in the loss of the extension hair if the pre bonded or micro loop system is used as they both contain a bond or micro bond.
If the extensions do get wet during this activity dry the extension hair immediately after swimming, ensuring first you rinse the hair in fresh water.
Do not brush extension hair when wet, dry immediately. Ensure that Extension hair is tangle free after swimming.
Do not sleep with wet hair extensions, ensure they are dry before you head for bed.
Holidays abroad in the sun will dry out extensions and possibly cause a colour change. We recommend you try and keep them covered. This may not protect them though. Alternatively you can remove them while abroad. Another factor to take into consideration is that the water in different countries contains chemicals that are not good for the hair. Some hotels abroad have boilers that have water softeners wherein the salt breaks down the bonds and dry's out the hair.
Suppliers may not replace any hair that gets damaged if it is worn abroad.
THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD AFTERCARE
It is crucial that you make the most of your extensions by taking good care of them and using the correct products.
Correct aftercare is just as important as fitting the extensions correctly. Many people try to save money on aftercare by watering down regular shampoo's/conditioners etc to "make do" which can have really disastrous results such as dryness, matting and dullness in the extensions.
Many manufacturers have tried and tested many methods before settling on a range of aftercare for their human hair extensions range, this is done to ensure that the extensions get exactly the right balance of products whilst also maintaining your own natural hair at the same time.
Hair extensions are a great way to change your look but they do require some maintenance and care. Once you have had your extensions fitted your stylist will guide you through how best to look after your new hair. Hair extensions often cost a lot of money and can take a while to attach, so it is in your interest to look after them properly.
Most stylists will advise you not to wash your hair for at least 5 days after having your extensions fitted. This will give the bonds plenty of time to set and avoid hair shedding from the bonds later on.
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 twice a week as any more than this can put too much stress on the extensions due to excessive heat styling etc.
It is important to only use a shampoo and conditioner recommended for hair extensions. This is because many of the standard high street brands contain high volumes of sodium chloride (salt) which will dry out your hair and silicone based ingredients which can cause the bonds to weaken and break down. Loose bonds will cause the extensions to fall out - so either way it is a lose - lose situation.
You also need to keep your hair in really good condition by using a moisturising conditioner. However, you need to make sure that the conditioner does not come close to the actual bonds as this can also cause the bonds to weaken.
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 longer when properly taken care of so it is well worth taking the extra time to get it right.
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.
It is perfectly normal to lose some hairs when brushing, remember most people actually lose up to 100 hairs a day! You are actually doing less damage to your hair by having extensions as you aren't using heat directly onto your own hair.
It is a good idea to tie your hair in a loose plait when sleeping as this will minimise tangles and matting overnight.
If you have invested in high quality human hair extensions then you are able to style your extensions in the same way as you would your normal hair. You can straighten, curl, blow dry, dye in anyway you want.
It is advisable to have a maintenance appointment a month after you've had your extensions fitted to make sure everything is going well. This should be organised with your stylist. If you need any bonds removed or replaced then this is the time to do it.
If hair extensions dry out it is because you haven't followed our correct aftercare and/or haven't used our shampoo and conditioner we will not be held responsible on hair being damaged. Used hair cannot be returned and if hair is damaged and your order hasn't included our shampoo and conditioner we will not look into it any further!!
Hair extensions do require a certain amount of maintenance but once you've got the hang of how to wash, dry and style your hair your extensions will look great for even longer, it really is worth it!
It is down to each induvial to do any allergy checks required before having the extensions fitted. Suppliers cannot be held liable for any reactions that occur as it is down to the customer and fitter to do the required strand tests.