Hair extensions are a proud possession for many. People buy them to make their hair look longer, fuller, and more beautiful. Hair extensions are available in various types, such as clips extensions hair, weaves, micro links, tape-ins, etc.
The installation technique determines how much time they require to attach to your natural hair. Clip-in extensions are the most popular and preferred choice as they are low maintenance, easy to install and remove, and do not require the help of hairdressers.
As impressive as they are, hair extensions require utmost care to keep them in the best shape for a long time. That way, they can preserve the original look, color, shine, and texture.
Here are six maintenance tips to take care of your hair extensions.
- Please give them the TLC they deserve
Premium hair extensions are expensive, but their top quality justifies their price. You have spent your valuable money to buy them, so you need to make sure they stay in top condition for a long time.
As premium extensions are 100% Indian Remy hair, they require the same level of care and maintenance as natural hair. Brush them regularly to detangle them. It’s also crucial to periodically clean them to remove the dirt and debris.
- Follow a custom maintenance routine according to their type.
The amount of maintenance required depends on what type of extensions you have. Tape-ins have glue tapes at the top end attached to the sections of your hair. Installing tape-ins involves glue, a heating tool, and glue remover.
As this glue stays in your hair for days, it accumulates a lot of dirt and debris, which may cause your hair to smell. That’s why tape-ins require more maintenance than other extensions. It is best to visit a salon to help with the upkeep and removal of your tape-in hair extensions.
On the other hand, you can attach clips with extensions of hair to your head with small yet durable clips. These clips allow you to install and remove them without much effort. That means they are easy to maintain.
After use, you can remove them, gently brush them to detangle the hair strands and store them in a drawer. The whole process takes merely 15 to 20 minutes. You can determine how much maintenance the extension needs based on its installation method.
- Don’t sleep with your extensions in your hair.
As it’s essential to remove makeup before going to bed, you should also remove your extensions before sleeping. If you sleep with clip-in extensions, you will tangle them in your sleep or damage your hair. It can also increase the chance of the clips getting bent which can affect its grips and may not fit again correctly.
Use a top to bottom approach to remove them. Start removing the top extensions first so they won’t get tangled in the lower ones. If you use sew-in or tape-ins, you cannot remove them while sleeping. In that case, you can use a hair cap to protect your hair and the extensions and also prevent them from getting tangled.
- Store them the right way
Many new users often leave their extensions on their dressing table after removing them. It’s important to understand that they need to be stored carefully to avoid tangling. Keeping them in direct sunlight can also severely damage the hair strands and affect their color, shine, and texture.
It would be beneficial to have a dedicated drawer to keep them straight without folding or rolling. It would be practical to have an extension pouch to keep it safely inside before putting it in the drawer. If you don’t have an extension pouch, you can store the extensions in a silk pillowcase or bag. The silk is softer on the hair strands and doesn’t cause any friction.
- Use the right hair care products
Premium hair extensions are of top-quality human hair. You can heat, dye, and style them however you want. But as you want to keep them in the best shape, you need to use the right products to clean, dry, color and style them.
Avoid using hair products that contain harmful chemicals like parabens that can damage the extensions. It will help increase the life of the hairpieces if you use paraben-free, sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners.
- Dry them properly
Once you wash them, you need to dry them carefully. Avoid using hot blow dryers to dry your hair as the excess heat can damage them and make them lifeless. You can use a soft towel to soak excess water and let them dry naturally to avoid frizzing.
Premium hair extensions are worth every penny you spend. But you need to maintain them with the utmost care, or the hair quality can deteriorate over time. You can use these tips while cleaning, drying, and styling your hair extensions and protect them from damage.