Whether you're a hair extension newbie or have been loving your long locks for years, it's always good to refresh your extension care knowledge. Caring for extensions is not difficult, but there's a few things to remember to make them last longer and stay looking lush and healthy.
Hair extensions are an investment, both of your money and in your confidence. Follow this guide to keep your natural hair and hair extensions in prime condition. This guide mostly refers to semi-permanent extensions, but you'll find some tips for your clip-ins and halos too.
How long do hair extensions last?
That depends on what type of hair extension you're choosing!
Temporary event solutions, such as halos and clip ins, are designed to be taken out at the end of the day. Depending on how often you use these and how well you take care of them, they will last at least 3-6 months; but can last years with proper care.
Semi-permanent hair extensions are a little different. Most of these options such as weft, tapes, or nano-tips will need to be moved up every 6-8 weeks, but you don't need to purchase new extensions every time – Remy and human hair extensions can be reused for up to 12 months with proper application and care.
Can I wash my hair with extensions?
Absolutely! You can, and you should. Wash your hair when it's dirty or greasy, because a build up of dirt, sweat and product can cause your extensions to slip.
Use sulphate-free and alcohol-free products. This can be difficult to keep track of, so your best bet is to use products specifically designed for extensions. We suggest our extension care range as your insurance policy for luscious locks.
To wash your hair, brush it gently while dry then hop in the shower to wet your hair. Lather your shampoo in your hands and massage it gently through your scalp, and only your scalp. Be careful not to tangle your hair in the process. Rinse thoroughly and apply conditioner to the mid lengths and ends – never to the scalp. Make sure to rinse thoroughly, as product build up can make your extensions feel itchy.
Squeeze out excess water with a towel. If you have a glue-bonded extension type such as tapes or u-tips, you must blow dry them as they should not be wet for extended periods of time. At a minimum, blow dry your roots and let your lengths dry naturally. Other types of extensions can be air dried if you want to give your hair a break from heat styling. Never, under any circumstances, sleep with wet extensions. This can cause tangling, and the friction can disturb the bonds.
Brush, brush, brush
Tangles are your hair extensions' worst nightmare. Gently brush your hair 2-3 times a day to prevent tangles or knots forming, starting at the ends and working your way up to the top. Take care around the top of your head – don't pull on the bonds.
Avoid brushing your hair while wet, as this is when it's most fragile. We recommend using our Detangling Brush and Boar Bristle Brush to maintain your hair health.
Hydration is key
Hydration is your extensions' best friend. As extensions are not attached to your scalp like your natural hair, they don't receive the natural moisture of oils travelling down the hair shaft.
Serums, conditioners, and leave-in products are a must-have. Investing in high-moisturising products helps maintain that beautiful shine and combat frizz, ensuring that your extensions last longer.
We love our Refreshing Conditioner, which is a leave-in, daily spritz to help hydrate on the go. If your extensions are feeling dry, then a hair mask is the way to go.
Don't ever apply moisturising products to the scalp, or on your bonds. Save it for the mid-lengths and ends.
Can I swim with hair extensions?
You can, but you may need to give your extensions some extra love afterwards. Limiting excessive exposure to salt water, chlorine, and sun is the best option.
Chlorine and salt water are very harsh on both natural hair and extensions, causing dryness and stripping your hair of oils. If you're going to swim, make sure to gently detangle your hair first. If you can, tie it up to avoid getting wet. If you do get your hair wet, wash it and give it some extra moisture with hydrating products. If you have glue-bonded extensions like tapes or u-tips, dry it as soon as you can. Most importantly, don't let your extensions knot or tangle!
To recap: swimming is totally fine every now and then, just make sure to give your extensions some extra love. However, if you spend every day of summer in the ocean, temporary extensions like a halo or clip-ins may be a better option for you.
Finally…
It might seem like a lot, but you'll get used to taking care of your extensions in no time. The confidence boost from having your dream hair is so worth it! If you have any other questions, our Angels are here to help.