Caring for Your Hair Extensions

Just like your own hair, human hair extensions will accumulate residue through normal wear. However, you do not need to wash the hair extensions everyday to keep consistent results. The hair should be washed as infrequently as possible or when you notice that the hair appears dull or acquires an odor. If you are wearing the hair all day, every day, you can wash them after 3 to 4 wearings.

Washing Extensions

Before shampooing, gently remove any tangles. Use a spray-on conditioner if hair extensions are excessively tangled. Always use a mild shampoo that contains no silicone, parabens or sulfates. DO NOT SUBMERGE ENTIRE EXTENSION HAIRPIECE IN WATER. SPOT CLEAN THE WEFT AREA. After running the hair extensions under warm water place a small amount of mild shampoo on your fingers and gently work the shampoo into the hair, stroking downwards from the weft base to the ends. Do not twist, scrub or rub the hair. Rinse the hair extensions thoroughly under warm running water until the water runs clear indicating that all the shampoo is removed, as improper rinsing could result in damage.

Conditioning Extensions

Just like your own hair, hair extensions need to be conditioned after shampooing to maintain a healthy shine and promote styling ease. Place a small amount of conditioner free of silicone, parabens and sulfates on your hand, then gently work the conditioner into the hair extensions. Let the conditioner sit for three to five minutes on the hair extensions. Rinse thoroughly in warm water and gently towel blot to remove excess water. For excessively dry hair extensions, use a deep conditioner free of silicone, parabens and sulfates to add much-needed moisture. Follow with a leave-in conditioner before combing the hair extensions.

Detangling Extensions

The goal when detangling hair extensions while wet is to use the least amount of tension on the extensions so that the hair does not break or pull away from the weft. You will detangle the hair extensions from the bottom to the top in small sections. First spray the freshly washed and conditioned hair extensions with leave-in conditioner. Starting at the ends of the hair extensions, grasp and hold firmly the hair above the area you want to detangle, then move a large toothed comb in a downward motion from your grip towards the ends of the extensions gently removing tangles.

When you have combed out all the tangles from the section of the hair extensions you are holding, release your grip and grab the next section of hair closer to the top. Then continue combing the hair extensions below your grip. Continue this process until the hair extensions are tangle-free. Do not use a bristle brush on wet hair extensions as it may pull out or break the hair.

Drying Extensions

Clipping your wet, detangled hair extensions to a hair extensions hanger suspended from a bar within reach, you can air dry, roller set, blow dry or flat iron the hair extensions on a recommended heat setting, as desired.

Styling Extensions

Steam rollers and/or wet setting are the safest ways to curl your hair extensions. Use a protective styling spray in conjunction with recommended heat settings for thermal styling tools such as blow dryers, curling irons and flat irons, to prevent hair extensions from scorching. To avoid fishhooks when steam rolling or roller setting hair extensions wrap the ends of the hair into the rollers. For cutting or applying any chemical processes such as perming or coloring to the hair extensions, consult with a styling professional for best results.

Storing Extensions

It is best to store the hair extensions in its original container or a plastic bag. To keep the desired curl pattern, you may want to set the hair on rollers that conform to the curl size you wish to maintain before storing in plastic. Do not sleep or swim while wearing hair extensions.