Tips for Maintaining your Hair Extensions

Hair extensions are an amazing way to get a cool new look in no time at all. If you’ve just had a new set of hair extensions fitted, you’ll want to care for them as well as possible to help them stay in great condition for longer and save you money long-term. These aftercare tips will help you to maintain your extensions so you can look amazing for longer.

1. Washing

Using the right hair products can be the difference between keeping your extensions soft and sleek or dry and tangled. Avoid using a shampoo which contains alcohol or sulfates because they can damage your hair extension strands by removing their natural oils. Hair extensions don’t produce natural oils the same way your real hair does, as a result, you won’t need to wash them as often. Once every two or three weeks is generally a good frequency to wash them, however, the depends on how much hair product you use so you’ll have to use your best judgement.

2. Drying

Adding heat to your hair extensions can cause them to become dry and brittle and cause split ends. If possible, let your hair dry naturally and don’t use a blow dryer. If you really need to use a blow dryer, use it on a low heat setting to prevent damage and place a towel on the hair to help remove some of the moisture before drying. If you can get up a bit earlier to let your hair dry naturally you will see the benefits over time as your hair extensions last longer.

3. Brushing

Don’t aggressively brush your hair extensions as this can cause damage to the strands. Instead, take the time to brush your hair as carefully as possible to gently remove any knots. Start brushing from the bottom of the hair and work towards the root. Try to brush your hair regularly to avoid any matting.

If you spend a lot of time outdoors or on the move, this can cause matting and tangling. Sweat and friction in your hair causes hair strands to matte, so you will need to brush more often than if you were stationary in a cool environment. If you're outdoors, heat can cause the hair to dry out and humidity can add moisture to your hair. This moisture can cause hair to go frizzy and will need to be brushed more frequently to avoid excessive tangling.

4. Storing

If you use clip in hair extensions and take them out before you go to sleep, there are steps you should take when storing them to ensure they have the longest possible lifespan. Always brush the extensions to remove any tangling before storing them. Ensure that they are stored away from any sunlight that could fade the color and keep them away from any moisture which could cause mold to grow.

So, these are our top tips to help you maintain your hair extensions and keep you looking gorgeous for longer!

About the Author

Sara Lucero writes useful beauty tips and advice with Hair 100, who specialise in micro loop, clip in and pre-bonded hair extensions.

Hair 100 are one of the leading retailers of hair extensions in the UK