“Great hair!” is probably one of the most impactful and satisfying compliments you can receive. As one of the largest and most noticeable characteristics tied to our physical features, our hair makes up our appearance. “Great hair,” in essence, says, “You look great!” So when we aren’t naturally given a perfect mane, it can be difficult to feel our best. Luckily, technology, science, and plenty of creativity now offer us many solutions such as natural hair extensions to be able to get that look that makes us feel free to be fabulous.
Extensions are arguably the best thing to happen to beauty since the blow dryer hit the scene. In mere minutes, anyone can go from short, dull, or limp hair, to full, long, and luscious hair with an instant shot of confidence to boot. As materials and application processes continue to improve, the end results keep on getting better and better. With yaki clip in hair extensions and other quality, easy-to-install options, extension possibilities are endless.
One of the main aspects to consider when diving into the world of extensions, human hair wigs, and hairpieces is the maintenance and care of them. Although not hair growing directly from a live scalp, they do require the same amount of attention to detail. Knowing what to do and what to avoid can help keep them looking beautiful for longer. Let’s take a look at how best to care for your hair extensions.
Washing
The good news is that since they are not subject to the oils that are produced on the scalp, they do not need the same amount of washing as natural hair. The amount and type of elements they are exposed to is what will determine when and how often they need to be cleansed. Excessive or repeated amounts of sweat, rain, pool water, beach water or anything with constant contact to the hair needs to wash out as soon as possible. It is important to keep your extensions hydrated and any of these exposures can quickly dry them out and lead to damage. If the contact is more with styling products, the build-up can accumulate over time. In that case, they should be washed every 30 uses or at least once a month.
Drying
Natural hair extensions can be subject to the same damaging effects of heat as actual hair, so it is important to dry and apply hot styling tools with caution. High heat temperatures and blow-drying can make hair vulnerable to breakage, so it is recommended to minimize it as much as possible. Letting hair extensions air dry is the way to go. If you’re desiring a specific style or need them to dry quickly after a wash, a spray-on heat protectant and a cool blow dry can help guard against the effects of heat. Hair is weakest when it is wet so being gentle instead of tousling hair, blowing downward to avoid frizz, and using a microfiber towel to soak up excess water can keep heat damage low.
Hair Products to Use
A major consideration when maintaining natural hair extensions is the type of products used to clean and style them. From the wash and all the way through to the finishing spray, the ingredients in each product can either damage or nurture your hair. By avoiding chemicals such as sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, alcohol, ethanol, propanol, isopropyl, and propyl you can avoid tangles, brittle hair, broken ends, and matting, and extend the life of the extensions. Shampoos with lots of suds and bubbles are not necessarily the best options. Natural, sulfate-free formulas can clean just as well without all the extra detergents that can harm the hair. Styling products can easily be full of alcohol as it is a common ingredient. Alcohol dries the hair and leaves it looks dull and eventually lead to damage. Sticking to gentler products with less toxic ingredients can make all the difference in daily wear and use over the long run.
Hair extensions can be a gamechanger in your beauty routine and overall look. By knowing the do’s and don’ts of proper care and maintenance you can greater guarantee they look their best for the longest amount of time.