Hair Extension Care Do's & Don'ts

Hair Extension Care Do’s & Don’ts

A successful hair extension application starts with the proper technique and quality extensions. Yet, once you leave the salon, it’s up to you to maintain that smooth, eye-catching finish. Fortunately, keeping your hair looking pristine for months following application is a breeze with the right approach. Follow these do’s and don’t to achieve exactly that.

Do:

Dry your roots with each wash.

One of the top benefits of adding more hair is incredible volume. However, the additional material creates a very dense section of hair around the application sites, which restricts natural airflow. As such, it’s a challenge for these areas to dry fully and, if left moist, there’s a risk of mildew and mold growth. Thankfully, such severe outcomes are easily avoidable by taking a few minutes to dry the root areas each time you wash your hair.

Use a heat protectant.

Achieving a high-quality, well-blended finish requires the use of hair extensions crafted from real human hair. Yet, the additions are just as susceptible to heat damage as your natural hair. Steer clear of breakage and dryness by utilizing high-quality heat protectant products (we love Oi Oil from Davines®) each time you blowdry and style your hair with a straightener or your curling iron.

Don't:

Wash your hair every day.

Washing your hair removes oil and dirt from the scalp and hair shafts. However, such buildup isn’t substantial enough to require daily washes. In fact, doing so causes too much moisture to be stripped from the extensions, causing dryness, frizziness, and breakage. Avoid these consequences by only washing two to three times a week and supplementing with dry shampoo in between.

Use heavy oils at the root.

Hydration is the main requirement for maintaining a perfectly smooth finish. For that reason, many individuals reach for oil-based products to smooth down hair extension cuticles and add healthy moisture.

While lightweight options, like sunflower seed and roucou oils, offer nutrients and hydration, thicker oils and conditioners can break down bonding materials. For that reason, avoid using heavy treatments at the roots for tape-in and fusion methods.