Taking Care of Your Hair Extensions

When it comes to hair extensions there are so many things to think about, especially if you’ve never had them. There are some rules about how long you should go without washing your hair, rules about going to bed with wet hair, not using too much heat, using the right shampoo and conditioner — the list goes on and on. And if you have real human hair extensions, there are a few more rules that you should be aware of to ensure that the product is protected and looks its best. While we don’t want this to deter you from getting extensions because they are incredible, it’s just nice to know what you’re getting into. Keep reading to learn more about hair extensions.

What You Should Do

Wash Your Hair

Whatever type of hair extension you have, whether it’s a clip-in or a hair weft, it’s important to keep it clean. The hair extension needs to be protected and nourished just like your own natural hair. But the challenge is not drying out or damaging the strands. It’s recommended that you don’t wash your extensions more than three times a week. When you do wash the hair, use a mild shampoo that won’t cause any damage. In between using shampoo, you can co-wash, which is using only a conditioner. This will keep the strands moisturized and healthy, and help prolong the life of your extensions.

Brush Your Hair

A great hairbrush and a consistent brushing routine will also help keep your real human hair extensions looking amazing. Look for a brush that has widespread bristles that will detangle the hair and prevent matting. When it comes to brushing your hair, don’t be afraid of doing it often. An expert tip is to have the brush with you in the shower. When you’re co-washing, give your hair a good brush to spread out the conditioner before rinsing. Then brush the hair again after it has dried to reduce shedding and matting. Be careful when brushing though, you want to be gentle since the hair extensions may be fragile, especially if they are wet.

Take Breaks

Hair extensions are typically sewn in or glued on. Either way, hair extensions can cause damage to your natural hair and scalp when used consistently. When possible, take a break from hair extensions, giving your hair and scalp time to recover.

Visit a Salon

If you’re ever unsure about how to care for your hair extensions, or if you need some professional styling tips or hair care products, your local salon will have all the answers. At Angelo David Hair Salon, we specialize in hair extensions and would be happy to help you style, cut, and maintain your extensions. Our stylists will be able to offer personalized maintenance advice and guidance on how to best care for your extensions. While it may be tempting to try and do this at home, we recommend that you see an expert, especially if it’s your first time. This will ensure a perfect fit and give you an opportunity to ask all of your hair care and maintenance questions.

What You Shouldn’t Do

Use Harsh Chemicals

Shampoos and conditioners with man-made ingredients, hair sprays, gels, and even products that are meant to be good for your hair can contain harsh chemicals. But these products can damage your own natural hair, so they’re definitely not the greatest for your hair extension. When washing and conditioning or styling your hair, try to use products that are as natural as possible. Avoid ingredients like parabens, triclosan, sodium lauryl sulfate, alcohol, and dimethicone. If you wouldn’t want to use it on your own hair, don’t use them on your extensions.

Sleep With Wet Hair

This is a good rule to follow whether you have a hair extension or not. Going to bed with wet hair will cause your hair to be matted down, knotted, and tangled, especially if you are someone who moves around a lot when they sleep. This isn’t a good look for your extensions and it’s not always easy to fix with a quick brushing in the morning. If you must go to bed with wet hair, braid the hair to prevent matting and wrap your hair with a silk scarf to prevent tangling.

Buy a Hair Extension That Doesn’t Match

The purpose of a hair extension is generally to “extend” the length of your natural hair. To create a cohesive look, choose a real human hair extension that best matches the color and feel of your natural hair. If you’re going for a completely different look from your natural hair color and style, you may want to consider getting a full lace wig that will create a natural look from root to tip.

Use Too Much Heat

Using heated styling tools is almost a must when you need to create a certain look for your hair, but over time, too much heat can cause a lot of damage to your extensions. If you need to use heat, apply a heat protectant to your hair first, and keep the heat setting as low as possible.

 

Hair extension creates a beautiful, natural look, but they must be taken care of properly! Follow these tips to keep your hair extension looking its best and to ensure it lasts for years. 

 

At Angelo David, we are a luxury hair salon located in New York City that specializes in the application, styling, and knowledge of hair extensions. Please be aware that our salon is operating in a slightly different style than usual due to the current pandemic. If you are feeling ill or any flu-like symptoms, we ask that you do not come visit our salon. In order to protect our stylists and other guests you may be temperature checked and be asked to reschedule your visit to a later date. We want everyone to know that we want to be able to serve everyone, but due to the high risk, we have the right to refuse service. If you’re feeling healthy and not displaying symptoms and feel comfortable visiting our salon upon reopening, we’re happy to help! You will have to follow the set current guidelines and wear a mask during your entire visit. 

 

Once again, we understand that this time is extremely unknown and has been very scary for everyone. We hope that we can bring some light to your life and help you feel your best. Even if it is something as simple as a hair cut, we understand that this can help you start feeling like yourself again which can make a huge difference. For more information about our procedures, visit our website. If you are ready to schedule your appointment or want to schedule a virtual consultation, please contact us directly! We miss all of our clients dearly, and cannot wait to see you all when we reopen. Thank you for being patient and understanding!