Taking Care Of Your Hair Extensions

So you just got your Hair Extensions or are curious about getting them done here at LoneWolfBeauty. Here are some helpful tips on maintaining your hair extensions in GREAT condition.

The lifespan of hair extensions can range anywhere between 3 to 6 months to a year or longer, depending on the general care they receive. Remember, the more you wash and heat style your extensions, the shorter their lifespan will be, so try to keep washing and using products on your extensions to a minimum. The important thing to remember is that your hair extensions don’t have a natural hydration source like your own hair does, so keeping them moisturized and reducing dryness is crucial to prolonging their lifespan.

Brushing your new hair properly

Carefully brush out the extensions from the bottom of the hair slowly working upwards towards the root. If you come across a particularly pesky knot brush it through gently. Never brush the extensions when they are wet as this is when it is the most susceptible to breakage. Instead, brush them before washing or once they are 90% dry.

For brushing, we recommend using a Loop Hair Extensions Brush. Alternatively, you can also use a wide-tooth comb or a soft bristle brush. The Loop Hair Extensions Brush is designed specifically for the use on all different types of hair extensions, as it has unique nylon “looped” bristles which easily glide through the hair and remove any tangles. It won’t cause pulling, snagging, or damage to your extensions, which you may otherwise experience with a regular hairbrush.

Preventing Matting

A common reason why extensions tangle and get matted throughout the day is because of a combination of sweat, heat, and friction. Also, keep in mind that when human hair is constantly moving around it mattes or ‘clumps’ together in pieces and should be brushed consistently to avoid this. During the day, we generate heat at the back area of our nape and scalp, and often times we sweat back there too. Your sweat is salty and acidic which can dry out your hair extensions. When you add additional hair volume to this combination and constantly move your head throughout the day, tangling and matting will occur.

Weather can also contribute to tangling, whether it is due to the wind, humidity, or heat. Humidity adds moisture to the environment, causing hair to frizz and tangle. Heat will do just the opposite as it will dry it out. Thankfully, there are some simple ways to ensure that your Hair extensions remain smooth and tangle-free. First, be sure to brush the extensions periodically throughout the day with the Loop Hair Extensions Brush. Alternatively, you can also use a wide-tooth comb or a soft bristle brush. Always have a brush on hand so that you can give your hair a quick brushing. If it’s a particularly windy day, you can tie your hair up.

Just like your natural hair, extensions will shed. Shedding is a common occurrence with hair extensions and because they are made of human hair, you can expect some shedding throughout their lifespan. As you brush and style your extensions, some fall-out may occur so don’t be surprised or worried when this happens. This, however, does not mean to reduce the amount you brush your extensions as you can minimize shedding in other ways. Keep in mind, extensions are more likely to shed when they are dry and brittle.

The first and quite possibly one of the most important steps is to brush your extensions out before washing them and only once the hair is 90% dry. This helps minimize the possibility of breakage and shedding during the washing and because the hair is at its weakest point when wet. Always be gentle when brushing your extensions and be sure to brush them before and after each use to reduce shedding and breakage.

Washing your extensions too much or using products that contain sulfates and alcohol will strip the hair of its natural oils which will likely cause them to shed. Additionally, using a high temperature when heat styling runs the risk of damaging the hair which can then cause breakage and shedding. This is why we recommend to only use a low heat setting of 120C/250F. While our own hair may be able to handle a high heat setting, our hair is also constantly getting revitalized from the scalp, whereas hair extensions don't receive the same amount of nutrients or oil in order to look silky and shiny.

DRYING

We don’t recommend blow-drying your extensions after every wash as doing this constantly will make them dry and more vulnerable to breakage. If you must blow-dry your extensions, be sure to use a heat protectant spray prior to blow-drying to extend the lifespan of your hair extensions. If you need to use your extensions immediately after washing them, the most important thing is to ensure that you are blow drying on a cool setting to prevent any heat damage and that you don’t brush the hair until it is 90% dry. This is because the hair is at its weakest point when it's wet. Instead, use your fingers to gently loosen any tangles. When blow-drying, start by focusing on drying the root of the weft first and then working your way down to the ends. Always blow-dry downwards as this will help to not only smooth the cuticle but it will also prevent the hair from getting tangled since it is being blown in lots of different directions.

With a good routine, you can wear your extensions for months on end and enjoy fuller, thicker, and healthier-looking locks.

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