Featured DIY Hair Extension Transformation:
Washing, Drying, Styling
Some of the questions we ask and research before wearing hair extensions need to be about the care of hair extensions. How we care for our hair makes a huge difference in how we feel about the overall experience of wearing our hair extensions.
Caring for your installed hair extensions Your hair extension bond should be allowed to cure for 3-12 hours after installing. During this time you may carefully comb and style your hair extensions without disturbing your new bonds. All of our extension hair is 100% human hair which can be straightened with a flat iron or curled with a curling or waving iron. You will want to keep all hot tools from touching your bonds at all times. Sometimes it takes a little oops to remember this. Use the warm or cooler setting and don’t leave the hair dryer in one spot for too long. You will find your hair extensions don’t get as dirty as ofter which will allow you to shampoo your hair less if you'd like. One to 3 times per week is recommended for longer wear time. Some wearers do wash daily and this isn’t harmful, just more work. It is recommended you just wash and condition your own hair, without putting any product on your extension hair directly, and just allow the gentle wash for your extensions to happen as you rinse your own hair. Be gentle with your bonds after washing and until your root area is completely dry.
Products for your extension hair
The products you use for washing could make a huge difference in how your hair extensions wear. Sulfate shampoos, soft or treated water and many products can be very drying to extension hair and your own. Check for alcohol content in products you use and try to use little product directly on the extension hair when washing.
| TIP: If you have a water softener or highly chlorinated water, you can, A.) Get a filter for your shower, they are cheap and easy to implement or, B.) Rinse where the soft water hasn’t been run to, typically the cold water in the kitchen sink, or rinse with distilled water. (These less desirable choices in option B make option A the best and easiest for you.) |
Shampoo basics
Sulfate-free shampoo can be found on the PUREOLOGY line of products, available only at salons. Purology carries gentle, but effective, conditioning and leave-in products, and solutions, for many hair types and conditions.
PUREOLOGY Hydrate or SuperStraight are excellent choices for washing while you are wearing your extensions. PUREOLOGY Purify is a clarifier which should only be used prior to installing your hair extensions. The Purify should only be used to strip and free your hair of oils and products before your appplication. Using the Purify on your extensions will cause them to become dull and dry.
When washing, carefully work your shampoo under your bonds and at your scalp. Don’t worry about so much shampoo on your extension hair, it doesn’t get as dirty as you think and a thorough rinse typically suffices.
Use conditioner lightly and sparingly and keep heavy conditioners away from your bonds as best as you can. Lighter conditioners, such as PUREOLOGY's, can be worked into the scalp underneath your bonds, to condition your scalp and hairs at the root area. When using conditioners in the area of your bonds, be sure you are rinsing, rinsing, rinsing for as long as you can.
Again, a thorough final rinse of all products will give your hair a clean, crisp, fabulous result that will last for days. Section your hair while rinsing and allow the water to flow freely around the bonds and through all the hair.
A little extra care and time during washing and rinsing will save you time in the long run and provide you with the best, longest hair extension wear.
Between full washings, you can freshen your own hair by just washing at the crown. To do this, tie your extension hair back, pull the hair at the crown forward and wash and rinse just this area at the crown.
| TIP: It is a good idea to save a little of your extension hair just for testing products. Wash, dry, use your gels and sprays on this “sample” piece before you use it on your installed extension hair to prevent any issues later. |
