Washing
It is recommended that you use a clarifying shampoo and a deep conditioning conditioner throughout the lifetime of your hair extensions. This removes oil, sebum, styling products, wax or deposits left on your natural hair. Try and avoid using shampoos and conditioners’ with citric acid and silicone in them as these may cause the bonds to break down over time if used consistently.
John Frieda and Tigi Bed head products are great as they do exactly what they say they will. Ideally if you can, wash your hair in the shower rather than over a bath as this way your hair is being washed in a downwards direction and will be less likely to cause tangling. Try and avoid scrubbing your roots as you may normally, be a little gentler on the scalp area where the bonds are, massaging gently.
Brushing
Do not use brushes with the plastic ball tips as these will stretch and break the extension hair. I recommend a very soft bristle brush such as a Denman D80 as these glide through the extensions and don’t get caught on the bonds and leave your hair soft and shiny. You may lose hair whilst brushing but this is completely normal, bearing in mind we all lose on average 100 hairs a day naturally (which you will not lose while the bonds are in place) and these are hairs that have not got caught in the glue properly and have become loose.
Styling
Your extensions can be straightened, curled, cut and blow dried as normal…..just take extra care near the bonded areas with the heat appliances and avoiding going over them with the straighteners or too much heat on them with the dryer and this may soften them. The hair can be coloured but please bear in mind, the extensions may not colour to the same as your natural hair. You are also still able to colour your roots if required, the best way is to dye the hairline and your parting as this is usually the only hair you will see.
Swimming
If you do go swimming or come in contact with chlorine, it is best that your hair is tied up and spritz leave in conditioner on it incase it does come in contact with the water…this just prevents it from drying out.
It may seem a lot to take on board and feel like a lot of hard work but it doesn’t take long to get into a routine and providing the aftercare is adhered to your hair extensions will cause absolutely no stress or damage to your natural hair.
