Aftercare products required for hair extensions
It is recommended that you use a clarifying
shampoo throughout the lifetime of your hair extensions. This is a deep cleansing shampoo which removes styling products and
deposits left on the hair. Shampoo which contains silicon is not good for the fusion extensions as it slowly breaks down the
bonds. I also find that shampoo with fruit extracts can also break down bonds. I have many clients who swear by baby shampoo
and conditioner. You can buy shampoo and conditioner for extensions (I like the hairaisers line) but they are quite expensive,
I do not sell them for this reason.
When
conditioning hair only condition the mid lengths to ends as conditioner can break down the bonds or cause slippage on rings.
Make sure that you dry your hair thoroughly, the bonds can weaken if they are left wet. This is especially important
for fusion bonding or shrinktubes. Try not to stress the hair when it is wet and avoid excessive tugging.
Washing
It is recommended that you do not wash your hair for at least 48 hours after the extensions are fitted.
If glue methods have been used this allows time for it to properly set.
You can wash your hair as often as you like but the less stress put on the bonds the better make
sure you brush your hair and detangle thoroughly before you wash, do not pile you hair on top of your head and scrub, the
best way to wash is to wash the top of your head as you normally would but then let the shampoo run down the length of the
hair. When you have your conditioner on, comb the hair through to untangle. Try to hold the hair at the root to avoid stressing
the bonds. Do not rub the hair too vigorously when drying on a towel as this can tangle it. You can use hairdryers and straighteners
on the hair but avoid direct heat on the bonds, it is important to dry your hair as if the bonds are left wet they will weaken.
Brushing and Styling
When brushing extensions try to use a soft bristle
brush or a tangle teaser as this will cause minimal damage to your extensions. A hard brush can often pull the hair out. Do
not use brushes with balls on the end of the bristles as these will rip and tear at the extension hair. You may lose some
bonds through brushing but these can be replaced on your maintenance visits. Don't be afraid to brush at the roots - you
need to do this to get rid of naturally shed hairs or they will cause matting.
Try to sleep with your hair in a loose plait as this will minimise the chance of knots.
Human hair extensions can be straightened, curled
cut and blow dried but please do not put hair straighteners or tongs directly on fusion bonds as this can weaken them.
If your hair is coloured you may have your roots
touched up during the life of the extensions but avoid putting colour on fusion bonds. If you wish to have a full head colour
a strand test needs to be done on your own hair and the extensions as they may not colour the same.
If you wish for a change whilst you have your extensions
in bonds can always be removed and replaced with accent colours.
Maintenance and Removal
It is advisable to have a maintenance appointment every 4 - 6 weeks to have the bonds checked and
resealed if necessary, during this appointment any loose bonds can be taken out and new ones put in. It is quite normal for
you to lose some bonds after this period due to natural hair shedding. These can be easily replaced and any weak bonds adjusted.
If you do not brush your hair correctly matting can occur at the roots - this is caused by hair that has naturally shed being
caught up in the bonds, it then wraps around the extensions-, a maintenance appointment will be able to sort this out but
beware if the roots are excessively matted bonds may have to be removed to comb out the matts and this will cost extra to
replace the hair and for the extra time taken. This can be easily avoided by using a good bristle brush or a tangle teaser
brush. As the bonds grow down you will find your brush snags in them more and may pull them out. This is why it is not recommended
to keep them in longer than 3 months.
Extension removal should cause little pain and discomfort when done correctly, if you choose to remove
them yourself or have them removed at another salon please make sure the correct removal solution is used. The solution I
use will dissolve the bonds and allow the extension to slip away easily. Micro ring removal is done with a special tool. None
of these techniques will cause damage to your hair, damage only occurs when extensions are picked or pulled out. If you wish
to remove them yourself please ask to buy the remover from me. It is not advisable to remove micro rings or wefts yourself.
And finally...
Extensions need maintaining and looking after, they are not an easy way out of looking after
your hair. You need to be willing to take the time to care for them for them to keep looking good.
Enjoy them and love them and take the time to get used to them, it will take you a few days
to get used to the feel of them but it is worth it!
