Hair Extension Maintenance
Looking after your extensions to maintain a natural and long lasting look.
1. Washing
DO NOT wash hair for at least 2 days after the extensions are put in. This allows the glue time to properly set. If the hair is washed before this there is more chance of bonds or hair falling out.
You can wash hair as often as you like but remember that the less stress put on the bonds the better, and the less drying through heat the better, it helps if you dont let your own hair get too greasy or use too much conditioner or greasy products on the bonds, most salon extensions do not allow you to condition the hair at all. Dry shampoo is also a great help as it enables you to freshen up your hair without washing.
You do not need to use special products on your hair, raccoon products do not really make much difference, especially for the prices charged for them! Leave in conditioners can be used as can serum and any other styling products (try to avoid bonds) if you have bleached blonde hair please try to avoid silver shampoo as this RUINS extensions (unfortunately I found this out the hard way!) . Good shampoos and conditioners to use are Herbal essences and sunsilk, avoid aussie products and Ti-Gi.
2. Brushing
When brushing extensions try to use a soft bristled brush as this will cause minimal damage to extensions, a hard brush can often pull hair out, brush gently, the more care taken the better, just don't pull at any lugs, try to tease them out. Extensions should not get terribly knotted but as with your own hair they can occasionally get luggy! You will lose strands of hair while brushing, this is normal (bear in mind you lose strands of your own hair every day naturally) the hair is just hair which has not been caught up properly in the glue or has come loose. (Keep an eye on your hoover clogging up!) Try to sleep with hair in a plait, this will minimise chance of knots.
3. Styling
The hair can be straightened, curled and blow dried. When straightening try to avoid straightening over bonds although you will probably find that this part of your hair is missed anyway due to it being so close to the scalp. Hair can also be cut and styled but when cutting please take into consideration where bonds are so you do not get the hair cut in a way which will expose the bonds. You can dye hair (ask for some spare hair to test) but do a strand test first as different hair types dye differently eg your own hair may not dye the same as the extension hair or the extension hair may not dye as expected.
You can however dye your roots while extensions are in. The best way to do this is to dye around the hairline (where hair is seen if in a ponytail) and down the centre parting. Usually this is the only hair seen, if however you wish to dye all of your roots then this is also possible but remember that the less stress and messing around done the better.
4. General
DO NOT pick at bonds, as tempting as it is when you are sat bored watching TV! if you pick the bonds will loosen and fall out. During the time they are in you should barely lose any bonds, the main cause of bonds coming loose is bad maintenance or picking.
Swimming is possible just make sure that hair is washed properly afterwards as salt water or chlorine can dry out the hair. If you can keep hair away from chlorine and salt water then try to do so.
Please take extra care in all aspects of maintenance if you have naturally fine or thin hair as the extensions and bonds do put added strain on your root, by being gentle this minimises damage to your own hair, although extensions should cause little or no damage it helps to treat them with respect as it is an un-natural process which may take your scalp time to adjust to.
5. Damage
DO NOT believe all of the horror stories you hear. As long as extensions are properly fitted, maintained and removed they will cause little or no damage to your own hair, depending on the quality of your hair to begin with. Picking and rough brushing causes most damage. Some people find that extensions have helped their own hair grow quite a bit over the time they are in! Also see above regarding fine or thin hair. This is all my honest opinion from which I have learnt during past experiences. As everyone's hair and scalp are different the above is a general rule, I will not be held responsible for any damage caused over the time they are in if they are not properly looked after. If extensions do seem to be causing damage please do not hesitate to contact me. I will not be held responsible if you find you do not get on with extensions and have them removed (this is very very rare)
6. Maintenance
Some people choose to leave extensions for around 2 months without maintenance and then have them removed and a full set put back in but this can end up being more expensive. Others choose to come to me after 6-8 weeks and have a certain amount removed and replaced, or if there is enough of their own hair they just have more added. It is not advisable to keep extensions in for longer than 4 months as your re-growth can get matted and make them harder to remove. It is also good to remove them after this time to give your hair a good wash and colour if needed.
7. Holidays abroad
If you choose to go on holiday anywhere hot with your extensions in then please make sure hair is well conditioned if it is in contact with chlorine, salt water or high temperatures. As with your own hair salt water and chlorine can cause hair to become dry so the hair will need conditioning and thoroughly washing after a swim. It is human hair and needs looking after as much if not more than your own hair. Re-Hydrating products are good as are and deep conditioning treatments. It helps to just leave your hair to its own devices, straightening it is difficult as it tends to dry out even more with the heat. Personally I think the best thing to do is wet your hair, run mousse through it and leave it to dry, it may be wavey but it does not need any other products putting on it and it takes the least time and looks the best, it also lasts longer than straightening.
8. Removal
If you choose to have your extensions removed elsewhere or do it yourself please ask me for a removal info sheet. I sell removal products if you wish to do it yourself but you must be very patient and gentle so as not to damage your hair. If you have another salon remove them make sure they are able to remove the bonds before booking in as a lot of salons use different glue, my glue may take longer to remove but you will barely lose any bonds during the time they are in, unlike raccoon etc. Orange oil will not get extensions out although it may halp to soften bonds if left on for a while, as will any oily products. Please make sure your chosen salon removes properly as I WILL NOT be held responsible for any damage caused. As the salon didn't do the extensions they may be rough during removal then place any blame on me for any damage caused, there is a lot of competition amongst salons who do hair extensions!
Please do not hesitate to ask for a free removal guidance sheet.
9. Problems
Extensions NEED maintaining and looking after, you cant have extensions because you think it is an easy way out of doing your own hair. They need conditioning, gentle brushing and straightening. They are not good for a hectic lifestyle! You have to be willing to spend time on them and have patience to look after them otherwise they will not stay in good condition. Longer extensions tend to be harder to look after than and last less time than shorter ones (15" or shorter)
Extensions may take some getting used to you cannot have twice as much hair and often 3 times the length put in and expect to get used to it straight away, some people have no trouble whatsoever but every now and then someone may have a sensitive scalp and it will take more adapting to. Do not give up straight away or think the worst!
All of the information I have given applies to all extensions done using this method, whether done privately or in a salon. Although some of it may seem a little off putting it will be the same wherever the extensions are done. I am telling you all of the facts now whereas a salon wont tell you through danger of putting you off (charging £300+ they don't want to lose custom!) A lot of salons will do the extensions first and deal with any questions after.
I aim to provide an honest and friendly service to my clients as many become good friends! I am always available to help or answer any questions you may have. I have been as honest and informative as possible in this pack but if you feel I have left anything out then please do not hesitate to let me know. I hope my information has helped in some way and has cleared up any questions or doubts you may have had about hair extensions!