Hair Extensions Aftercare: The Complete Guide

Proper aftercare keeps your extensions looking beautiful and protects your natural hair. Whether you have keratin bonds or micro rings, following these guidelines will help you get the most from your investment.

Washing Your Hair Extensions

Your shampoo is the most important product to get right. Using the wrong shampoo can cause your extensions to slip out, break down bonds, and lead to matting. Always use a professional shampoo that contains no added moisture, sulphates, or oils.

How to Shampoo

• Brush your hair before wetting
• Always wash upright in the shower, never flip your head upside down
• Work shampoo downwards from the scalp in gentle motions, avoiding scrubbing or circular movements
• If you need more lather, add water before adding more shampoo
• Shampoo twice if you have product build-up
• Rinse thoroughly to avoid residue
• Wash as often as you need to

Conditioning

Your extensions don't receive natural oils from your scalp, so regular conditioning is essential to keep them hydrated and prevent dryness.

Never put conditioner on your bonds or connections. Conditioner can cause your extensions to slip out and break down the bonds. Apply from mid-lengths to ends only.

• You can use any conditioner you like, as long as it doesn't touch the connections
• Use a moisturising conditioner to replace lost hydration
• Rinse thoroughly

After Washing

How you handle wet extensions matters. The bonds are at their most vulnerable when wet, and improper handling can cause tangling at the roots.

• Wrap hair in a towel to absorb excess water, keeping your head upright
• Never flip your head upside down
• Let the extensions fall naturally while wrapped
• Leave the towel on while doing skincare or makeup to reduce drying time

Brushing

Regular brushing is essential to prevent tangling and matting, but technique matters. Never brush wet extensions as this can stretch and damage both the hair and your bonds.

• Brush your hair extensions 2-3 times a day to prevent tangling and matting
• Never brush your extensions when wet
• Use a Tangle Teezer-style brush, never one with bobbles on the bristles
• Always support your roots with your hand while brushing to avoid tension
• Start from the ends and work upwards
• Do not brush directly over the connections

Drying

Do not leave your extensions to dry naturally. You must at least dry the roots where the connections are, as moisture can weaken the bonds over time.

• Start drying with a hair dryer, and only brush when your hair is 80-90% dry
• Rough dry first before using any styling tools
• Apply a leave-in conditioner, serum, or heat protector to mid-lengths and ends
• Avoid applying any products near the bonds
• You can treat the top of your natural hair as normal

Styling

You can style your extensions just like your natural hair, but always ensure they are fully dry first. Be mindful of heat near your bonds.

• Only style with heat tools once hair is fully dry
• If curling, a tong or wand is gentler than straighteners, as it avoids pulling on the extensions
• Keep hot tools away from the bonds
• Never apply direct heat to the connections
• Styling products can be used, just keep them away from the connections

Daily Life Tips

Small adjustments to your daily routine will help your extensions last longer and stay looking their best.

Tying Your Hair Up

• Keep ponytails and buns low so extensions fall naturally
• Use soft scrunchies to avoid damage

Sleeping

• Wear hair in a loose plait or ponytail
• Never sleep with wet hair

Gym & Exercise

• Tie hair in a low braid or ponytail when exercising
• Wash as needed to prevent sweat build-up around bonds

Colouring & Toning

Your extensions are colour-matched at your fitting, and colouring them yourself can cause irreversible damage. If you want to change your hair colour, you'll need new extensions to match.

• Never colour or bleach your extensions
• You can colour the T-section along your parting and hairline where there are no extensions
• Silver shampoo can be used occasionally, but overuse causes build-up
• If you want to change your overall colour, you'll need a new set of extensions

Holiday Care

Sun, chlorine, and salt water can all affect your extensions. A little preparation goes a long way to keeping them looking great on holiday.

Sun Protection

• Avoid suncreams containing Avobenzone (Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane) as this can cause discolouration
• Mineral or zinc-based suncreams are generally safe but it's always worth checking the label

Swimming

• Tie hair back when swimming
• Rinse chlorine or salt water out immediately if possible
• If no shower is available, let hair down to air dry rather than leaving in a wet ponytail
• Never leave hair in a wet ponytail for long periods

Maintenance & Refits

Regular maintenance appointments keep your natural hair healthy and your extensions looking their best. Extensions should be professionally removed and refitted every 8-12 weeks.

• It's normal to lose 5-10 extensions during wear. Keep any that fall out for reapplication at your refit
• Never leave extensions in longer than recommended
• Do not attempt to remove extensions yourself
• Book regular refit appointments with your stylist
• Contact your extension specialist if you experience discomfort, shedding, or matting

A Note on Continuing Care

If you decide not to continue with extensions, let your stylist know. Whether you want a break, it's become too much to maintain, or you've decided to try somewhere else – a quick message is appreciated so they're not left wondering.

Any reputable extension specialist has a duty of care to your natural hair. It's always better to have extensions removed professionally than to attempt it yourself or leave them in too long.

Summary

Looking after your hair extensions doesn't have to be complicated. The key points to remember:

1. Use the right shampoo – no sulphates, no added moisture
2. Keep conditioner away from bonds – mid-lengths and ends only
3. Never brush when wet – wait until 80-90% dry
4. Dry your roots – don't let moisture sit around the connections
5. Book regular refits – every 8-12 weeks

Follow these guidelines and your extensions will stay beautiful between maintenance appointments.