Hair Extensions Aftercare and advice
For clients of
@holliewilliams_hairextensions and @anya_hairextensions
Hey! Thanks for booking in to get your new extensions! We are sure your very excited but also wondering what it’s going to be like looking after them on a daily basis. We have created our aftercare guide to help you out with all things extensions. Put into the most basic way .. it’s just your own hair but a bit thicker and longer – but this guide is going to be your best friend to refer back to if you are ever unsure.
What happens before The appointment?
So by now you will have had a consultation. The consultation is essential for both of us to get on the same page about what you want to achieve and how we can make that happen to the best of our abilities. We will of established what length, colour, thickness and method you want to go for. Once this is decided its locked in … please don’t go changing your colour or having any haircuts between consultation and fitting because it can dramatically affect your consultation outcome. For example.. your natural hair is long (to bra strap on your back) and your ends are wispy and fine. You just wanted 2” length gain so we are only using a small amount of hair to thicken your up. If you then get a “good cut” before your weave you may now require far more hair to blend with your freshly cut ends. With me? I hope so! Also watch out for silver shampoo or colour fading. Silver shampooing your own hair after the consultation may throw off your match and you may need an ashier blonde shade. If you’re a freshly died brunette and then fade over a 6 week period we may have had a chat about how much your colour fades and chosen a colour to accommodate for some fading. Hair colour is always a sliding scale but we will always do our best to match you with what will work as best as possible.
On the day of the appointment
What do you need to do the day of your appointment? Just clean, straight, dry hair please! If your hair is in need of a wash you will probably have some natural oils building up. This won’t affect a weave too much but may spoil the overall finish with your new hair and you don’t want to have to wash alllll that hair so soon. It WILL however affect bonds. If a bond is applied to greasy hair it may not set well and then may slip out far sooner than when its attached to super clean hair. Things to also avoid on bond and tape fitting day – root boost spray, dry shampoo, leave in conditioners etc. Basically have your hair as squeaky clean as poss!
Please also have your payment method ready to go. We have a card machine in the salon or we can accept cash. We do not accept bank transfer and all bills must be paid prior to leaving the salon.
Please ensure you are happy with colour, length, thickness and method of the extensions BEFORE they go in. We will always double check with you that everything looks right with you before we start. Once fitted the hair is yours. It’s a non-returnable product due to hygiene reasons so by giving me the all clear to have them done that is you agreeing your happy with every aspect. Now for the fun bit ….
What to expect after your appointment?
Extensions are in and looking fabulous! Now it’s time for you to take the reins. First off... it’s probably going to feel a bit strange .. you have more hair which means a bit more weight on your scalp. It may feel a little tight, or sensitive but don’t worry this is pretty common especially for the first few days. We fit the extensions to last, but in a very comfortable and safe manner. When you go to bed that evening you’re going to feel aware of them. Some people feel nothing (lucky them) some people find it pretty uncomfortable. Discomfort isn’t a sign of a problem so don’t worry – in a few days you’ll be so used to it you won’t remember life without them. The science part – your hair NEVER stops growing so day by day the weave/bonds/tapes are getting looser mm by mm. That’s why it becomes more comfortable as its growing (BONUS). We aim to never put too much tension on the natural hair so the way your extensions are fitted are in a very specific position so you get the longest lasting and most comfortable wear from them. It is essential to avoid any tight or high hair styles for the first few days. This is going to add even more tension to your scalp unnecessarily. Keep it in a low pony or loose plait or bun if you need to tie it back for work or the gym. Continuous high and tight hair styles are not recommended. It will put too much pressure on the extensions at the front and could cause pain and pulling. Keep it low and loose as much as you can. Make sure you’ve booked a re tighten asap… appointments go quick so if you forget to book and only remember when you have hanging hair extensions you’ll probably have to wait for a cancelation. You are responsible for your own bookings.
How to look after your new extensions
Now for some info relating to each method... the aftercare can be a little different so I’ve separated them below. Head down to your appropriate method section
-Bonds
Your bonds are to be worn for a maximum of 3 months. The majority of clients stretch it to this amount of time but some people do a little less depending on how quickly their hair grows and how they feel. Once you’ve had your bonds fitted the main thing you must keep on top of is separating the bonds. They will want to twist around each other as they start to grow and if you let them it’s going to get matted. Another major one to avoid is going to bed with wet or damp hair – matt central! Your hair will fuse together at the root and again you’ll have a pretty uncomfortable brush out when we take them out. If you’re a regular gym go-er be aware of your scalp getting hot and sweaty .. don’t worry it’s still possible to have them but just make sure your brushing from the root with a soft bristle brush or tangle teaser to remove any knots forming from any of the above. We want your removal to be as comfortable as possible - so it is essential you do your bit in between to try and keep everything under control.
Once you’ve had your bonds in for up to 3 months it’s time for removal. Bonds are easy to remove when you know how so get it touch if you need a bond removal. Please no DIY removals as you can cause some serious damage when untrained. Bond removals involve the bonds being removed from your hair, followed by a brush out. A brush out is essential as you will have 3 months worth of trapped hair that would of been naturally brushed out, or gone down the plug hole! We loose on average 100 hairs a day, so you will absolutely have natural hair shed when we brush out. Totally normal - it just looks more because we brush out 3 months worth of hair in one go.
We now offer bond re tipping with @retip_rehab! This means we will put a new tip on your bonds and you can re wear the hair. We need a couple of days to complete this service for you so get in touch when you are ready to arrange. Wearing the same set saves a lot of money vs buying new! You do loose a little length each time so please bare this in mind.
It’s pretty normal to loose a few bonds over the 3 months. We can’t tell you an exact number… could be none … could be 20! Every head is different. We don’t re fit the bonds if you do loose a couple, but please bring them along to be re tipped for the next appointment.
Avoid washing your hair for a few days after installation to ensure the bonds have set well.
-Weaves
Probably the easiest of methods to care for .. it’s pretty straight forward. You will have 1 2 or 3 rows usually. Make sure your own natural hair between the rows isn’t tangling. Going to bed with wet/damp hair or sweating in the gym (good on you) can cause matting at the root. Make sure your using a soft bristle brush or tangle teaser to avoid this. Your weave should be re fitted every 6-8 weeks. This is what the majority of clients do. Some who like it tight all the time do 4/5 weeks, some who like to let it hang more like 10 weeks. You’ll get a feel for what suits you but I always advise around 6 weeks at first. The weave will begin to feel looser from 1-2 weeks. You’ll notice how quickly your hair actually grows. Don’t worry if it does start to feel looser… its built to last 6-8 weeks. I Don’t advise keeping it in longer than 10 weeks. You can wash your hair as soon as you’d like after having your weave fitted it won’t affect the attachment.
-Tapes
Tapes need re fitting every 6-8 weeks on average depending on hair growth, lifestyle and hair thickness. If your hair grows quick, it may be better to have them done sooner. If your hair is finer you may see the tapes through your hair as they grow down so again, you may want a more frequent re fit. Tapes usually tend to twist when they are grown out too... it’s a sign it’s time for a re fit. Tapes can slide out when you have a colour service so please be aware of this. Tapes can also be affected by silver shampoo, conditions, oils and hairsprays and weaken the tape which again can make them slide out. Try and keep any product away from the tape attachment apart from sulphate free shampoo.
During your tape removal we will remove and re fit straight away. You do have the option to book a blow dry in between if you fancy a freshen up.
-Ultra Tips
Ultra tips are an individual ring method. You will wear them for 8-10 weeks before having them removed and re fitted. This can be done during the same appointment as they do not need to be re tipped before they go back in. Same rules apply for avoiding products at the roots as it can cause the rings to slide. If you loose any don’t panic - it is normal to loose a couple. Just keep them safe and bring them to your next appointment.
Washing
It is recommended to wash your extensions 1-2 times a week. More frequently isn’t a bad thing... if you have time to wash and dry your hair more often then go for it. Excessive washing will fade the hair, potentially loosen the attachment faster and dry it/ age it quicker so this why we try and keep it to once or twice a week. Use a dry shampoo in between if necessary to put you on. You must remember the rule of all rules – DO NOT GO TO BED WITH WET HAIR! No matter how tedious blow drying may be it will make your hair matt up very quickly and will be very uncomfortable when we try and brush it out!
Rather than washing the whole head every time, try a top wash in between! This means washing your hair above the extensions over the sink or the shower, tying your extensions back in a low bun out of the way. If you have top washed one too many times then it’s time for the full wash !
Example –
mon – full wash
weds – top wash
sat - full wash
mon – top wash etc
Before washing it is advised to detangle your extension hair with a tangle teaser/extension brush and separate the bonds/ wefts.
It is essential you only use shampoo and conditioner that is designed for hair extension use that we recommend.
When washing your hair, do not tip your head forwards over the bath as this could cause tangling - always wash with your head upright – in the shower is ideal. Smooth the shampoo down the extension hair – do not rub vigorously! Only condition from the mid lengths down to the ends of the hair. Do not apply any conditioner to the bonds/rings/tape as this may cause slippage.
You can pick the top section of your own hair up and apply condition to this section just try and avoid your root area. Pat hair gently when washed – do not rub.
Drying
Before detangling we advise you to use a leave in conditioning spray and a small amount of oil (Kerastase Elixir Ultime, Kerastase Gloss Absolu or Kerastase Premiere Oil are my faves). Make sure all bonds / top of the weave is dried completely. Be very careful if brushing the hair when wet, make sure you support the extensions hair by holding the bonds.
For a sleek finish, section your hair off and blow dry using a round brush with soft bristles. You can blow dry your extensions as you would your own hair, just more gently so you don’t pull too much, pulling them too hard will loosen your extensions and will be uncomfortable on your scalp! You may find the hair feels fluffy once dry, so use heat protector and finish by using a good quality straightening iron. If you want to air dry them, it’s no problem during the day but word of warning – they will look fluffy / frizzy until tamed with heat!
Be very careful that you do not snag the bonds. Heated Rollers, Straightening Irons, crimpers and tongs can all be used on the extension hair although it is advisable to use a Heat Protection Spray to protect the both your hair and the extension hair EVERY TIME you use heat. Hairsprays, can be used but avoid the bonded areas as this may cause slippage. Hairspray will cause product build up over time and can make the extensions feel dry/knotty if not washed out properly.
Sleeping
Please do not go to bed with wet hair. It will cause matting and be very uncomfortable when it comes to having your extensions removed. Ensure your hair is completely dry and thoroughly brushed through with a soft bristle brush. Please ensure your hair is plaited before bed. Going to bed with loose hair will cause tangles. If you don’t want waves from the plaits you could use a few scrunchies down the ponytail as an alternative.
Brushing/styling
Remember your extensions are attached to your own natural hair, pulling too hard or mistreating your extensions can result in your own hair being pulled out. The only brush you should use near to your extension bonds is a soft bristle brush or tangle teaser - meaning the brush gently glides over the bonds or weave row. When brushing the extensions always hold the weave row/bonds, making sure no additional stress is put on the hair. Brushing your hair when its wet is a no no! The extension attachment Is most fragile when wet and the hair can get knotty. Wait until you’ve blasted the hair off a little before you start blow drying with a brush.
Tie your hair back in a loose ponytail or plait using a soft scrunchie for bed.
Styling your new weave can be a lot of fun but please understand your extensions are fitted in your head to suit the majority of hair styles but mainly down. Half up half down styles and slick high pony’s may be more difficult to cover the extensions and cause tension on your attachment points.
Pregnancy and extensions
Getting a hair extensions during pregnancy usually does no harm at all. Why not make yourself feel fabulous with your bump! One thing I must highlight though is the major hormone changes you’ll experience. Your hair can change a lot... grow loads and thicken up (YAY) or start to shed and thin out. If you choose to wear extensions during pregnancy we are happy for you to come to us as long as you understand that your hair can change and that if you start drastically shedding, you can’t blame it on the extensions. Ive had so many clients who have successfully worn them before during and after pregnancy and it’s your choice and at your own risk if you want them in or not.
Important things to remember
We do not recommend colouring, tinting or perming the extension hair as these types of products contain elements that can damage the extension hair and even though our extensions are 100% human hair. Doing so will void returns policy on faulty goods. This means if the hair was faulty (matting, bushy, excessively knotty, shedding) the brand who supply the hair would do nothing about it as they would pin it on the colouring/toners used.
The more heat you use on the hair extension the shorter the life span of the hair, treat your extensions with the same respect as you would with you own natural hair. Try to keep the curling and straightening to a minimum. Excessive heat will fade the colour and cause the extensions to snap and shorten.
Lighter Shades may have a slightly shorter life span than darker shades on average. They have been through so much more to achieve the gorgeous pale tones - so lets treat them with respect! The lighter shades will need extra care and less heat application to increase the lifespan. Colours can fade over time and it will happen quicker if the hair is drying out from heat damage or excessive washing!
Be careful with silver shampoo – it can grab very quickly and make blonde extensions blue real quick! Using it is at your own risk. Water it down if you need to use silver shampoo and be extra careful. Silver shampoo can dry the extensions out over time.
So, any difference in aftercare on holiday?
Vay-cay with your extensions is always going to be at your own risk. Saying that, if you do go away with them in
(like hundreds of my clients have) then have a read through this section. This is to be followed on top of your usual aftercare regime.
I do not advise that you swim when wearing extensions as prolonged water exposure especially with chemicals may weaken the bonds /tape. Chlorine in pools and salt in the sea combined with heat can also cause the extension hair to discolour, deteriorate in condition and matt.
If you do swim we recommend you take the following precautions:
Brush through your hair and extensions and ensure its tangle free, then place your extensions into a braid or plait using a covered bobble.
DO NOT I REPEAT DO NOT GO IN THE POOL WITH KNOTTY HAIR OR HAIR IN A BUN – IT WILL MATT TOGETHER! Been there, done that … spent hours brushing out dread locks for clients.
Avoid getting the extension hair wet where possible. Even avoiding the pool and sea and only washing your hair in the hotel shower may still have an effect on the extensions. Foreign water can contain a high hard water content. Sun cream will most likely make your lighter toned hair pink/ peach due to a chemical called Avobenzone. You can buy sun creams these days that don’t contain this chemical so keep an eye out for the ingredients.
If you do have discolouration (pinky peachy or orangey tones) you will need to purchase the Malibu hard water wellness sachets! They are great at removing the discolouration. If you youtube additional lengths – MALIBU C hard water wellness you’ll see a video on how to use the product.
Product recommendations
I have listed a few of each so you can look round for what suits you best. We are an official Kerastase stockist so we can help you in store with all things hair care to ensure you are looking after your new extensions and your own hair whilst using our services.
Shampoo/conditioner/ oil / heat protector – to be used every time you wash your hair
If you are using a shampoo and mask from these brands they will be perfectly fine to use with your extensions. PLEASE avoid any supermarket shampoos. They are not good for your weave or your own hair. Poor quality products will result in your weave life span shortening and it may discolour them and dry them out unnecessarily.
Brands we love -
Kerastase
Morrocan oil
Redken
Oil – daily if hair is feeling dry, if not every few days to keep hair feeling soft
Kerastase elixur ultime oil ( a heavier oil great for older dryer extensions)
Kerastase gloss absolu (a little more light weight targeting anti frizz)
Kerastase premier oil (again more of a light weight oil for damaged hair)
Basically - anything kerastase!
Heat protector
To use ANY TIME you put heat on your hair. Hairdryer, straighteners, tongs .. if it’s hot put it on! Excessive heat will burn and dry the hair just like your natural hair. The life span will shorten the more heat you use.
Moroccan oil heat protector
Ghd curl hold/heat protector
Brush for general use
Soft bristle Brush for when the hair is dry to de tangle
Round brush or vent brush for blow drying
If you made it this far we thank you, and we hope you enjoy your new hair extensions! If you get stuck on anything just drop us a message, we will be more than happy to help!
Hollie & Anya xxxx
For clients of
@holliewilliams_hairextensions and @anya_hairextensions
Hey! Thanks for booking in to get your new extensions! We are sure your very excited but also wondering what it’s going to be like looking after them on a daily basis. We have created our aftercare guide to help you out with all things extensions. Put into the most basic way .. it’s just your own hair but a bit thicker and longer – but this guide is going to be your best friend to refer back to if you are ever unsure.
What happens before The appointment?
So by now you will have had a consultation. The consultation is essential for both of us to get on the same page about what you want to achieve and how we can make that happen to the best of our abilities. We will of established what length, colour, thickness and method you want to go for. Once this is decided its locked in … please don’t go changing your colour or having any haircuts between consultation and fitting because it can dramatically affect your consultation outcome. For example.. your natural hair is long (to bra strap on your back) and your ends are wispy and fine. You just wanted 2” length gain so we are only using a small amount of hair to thicken your up. If you then get a “good cut” before your weave you may now require far more hair to blend with your freshly cut ends. With me? I hope so! Also watch out for silver shampoo or colour fading. Silver shampooing your own hair after the consultation may throw off your match and you may need an ashier blonde shade. If you’re a freshly died brunette and then fade over a 6 week period we may have had a chat about how much your colour fades and chosen a colour to accommodate for some fading. Hair colour is always a sliding scale but we will always do our best to match you with what will work as best as possible.
On the day of the appointment
What do you need to do the day of your appointment? Just clean, straight, dry hair please! If your hair is in need of a wash you will probably have some natural oils building up. This won’t affect a weave too much but may spoil the overall finish with your new hair and you don’t want to have to wash alllll that hair so soon. It WILL however affect bonds. If a bond is applied to greasy hair it may not set well and then may slip out far sooner than when its attached to super clean hair. Things to also avoid on bond and tape fitting day – root boost spray, dry shampoo, leave in conditioners etc. Basically have your hair as squeaky clean as poss!
Please also have your payment method ready to go. We have a card machine in the salon or we can accept cash. We do not accept bank transfer and all bills must be paid prior to leaving the salon.
Please ensure you are happy with colour, length, thickness and method of the extensions BEFORE they go in. We will always double check with you that everything looks right with you before we start. Once fitted the hair is yours. It’s a non-returnable product due to hygiene reasons so by giving me the all clear to have them done that is you agreeing your happy with every aspect. Now for the fun bit ….
What to expect after your appointment?
Extensions are in and looking fabulous! Now it’s time for you to take the reins. First off... it’s probably going to feel a bit strange .. you have more hair which means a bit more weight on your scalp. It may feel a little tight, or sensitive but don’t worry this is pretty common especially for the first few days. We fit the extensions to last, but in a very comfortable and safe manner. When you go to bed that evening you’re going to feel aware of them. Some people feel nothing (lucky them) some people find it pretty uncomfortable. Discomfort isn’t a sign of a problem so don’t worry – in a few days you’ll be so used to it you won’t remember life without them. The science part – your hair NEVER stops growing so day by day the weave/bonds/tapes are getting looser mm by mm. That’s why it becomes more comfortable as its growing (BONUS). We aim to never put too much tension on the natural hair so the way your extensions are fitted are in a very specific position so you get the longest lasting and most comfortable wear from them. It is essential to avoid any tight or high hair styles for the first few days. This is going to add even more tension to your scalp unnecessarily. Keep it in a low pony or loose plait or bun if you need to tie it back for work or the gym. Continuous high and tight hair styles are not recommended. It will put too much pressure on the extensions at the front and could cause pain and pulling. Keep it low and loose as much as you can. Make sure you’ve booked a re tighten asap… appointments go quick so if you forget to book and only remember when you have hanging hair extensions you’ll probably have to wait for a cancelation. You are responsible for your own bookings.
How to look after your new extensions
Now for some info relating to each method... the aftercare can be a little different so I’ve separated them below. Head down to your appropriate method section
-Bonds
Your bonds are to be worn for a maximum of 3 months. The majority of clients stretch it to this amount of time but some people do a little less depending on how quickly their hair grows and how they feel. Once you’ve had your bonds fitted the main thing you must keep on top of is separating the bonds. They will want to twist around each other as they start to grow and if you let them it’s going to get matted. Another major one to avoid is going to bed with wet or damp hair – matt central! Your hair will fuse together at the root and again you’ll have a pretty uncomfortable brush out when we take them out. If you’re a regular gym go-er be aware of your scalp getting hot and sweaty .. don’t worry it’s still possible to have them but just make sure your brushing from the root with a soft bristle brush or tangle teaser to remove any knots forming from any of the above. We want your removal to be as comfortable as possible - so it is essential you do your bit in between to try and keep everything under control.
Once you’ve had your bonds in for up to 3 months it’s time for removal. Bonds are easy to remove when you know how so get it touch if you need a bond removal. Please no DIY removals as you can cause some serious damage when untrained. Bond removals involve the bonds being removed from your hair, followed by a brush out. A brush out is essential as you will have 3 months worth of trapped hair that would of been naturally brushed out, or gone down the plug hole! We loose on average 100 hairs a day, so you will absolutely have natural hair shed when we brush out. Totally normal - it just looks more because we brush out 3 months worth of hair in one go.
We now offer bond re tipping with @retip_rehab! This means we will put a new tip on your bonds and you can re wear the hair. We need a couple of days to complete this service for you so get in touch when you are ready to arrange. Wearing the same set saves a lot of money vs buying new! You do loose a little length each time so please bare this in mind.
It’s pretty normal to loose a few bonds over the 3 months. We can’t tell you an exact number… could be none … could be 20! Every head is different. We don’t re fit the bonds if you do loose a couple, but please bring them along to be re tipped for the next appointment.
Avoid washing your hair for a few days after installation to ensure the bonds have set well.
-Weaves
Probably the easiest of methods to care for .. it’s pretty straight forward. You will have 1 2 or 3 rows usually. Make sure your own natural hair between the rows isn’t tangling. Going to bed with wet/damp hair or sweating in the gym (good on you) can cause matting at the root. Make sure your using a soft bristle brush or tangle teaser to avoid this. Your weave should be re fitted every 6-8 weeks. This is what the majority of clients do. Some who like it tight all the time do 4/5 weeks, some who like to let it hang more like 10 weeks. You’ll get a feel for what suits you but I always advise around 6 weeks at first. The weave will begin to feel looser from 1-2 weeks. You’ll notice how quickly your hair actually grows. Don’t worry if it does start to feel looser… its built to last 6-8 weeks. I Don’t advise keeping it in longer than 10 weeks. You can wash your hair as soon as you’d like after having your weave fitted it won’t affect the attachment.
-Tapes
Tapes need re fitting every 6-8 weeks on average depending on hair growth, lifestyle and hair thickness. If your hair grows quick, it may be better to have them done sooner. If your hair is finer you may see the tapes through your hair as they grow down so again, you may want a more frequent re fit. Tapes usually tend to twist when they are grown out too... it’s a sign it’s time for a re fit. Tapes can slide out when you have a colour service so please be aware of this. Tapes can also be affected by silver shampoo, conditions, oils and hairsprays and weaken the tape which again can make them slide out. Try and keep any product away from the tape attachment apart from sulphate free shampoo.
During your tape removal we will remove and re fit straight away. You do have the option to book a blow dry in between if you fancy a freshen up.
-Ultra Tips
Ultra tips are an individual ring method. You will wear them for 8-10 weeks before having them removed and re fitted. This can be done during the same appointment as they do not need to be re tipped before they go back in. Same rules apply for avoiding products at the roots as it can cause the rings to slide. If you loose any don’t panic - it is normal to loose a couple. Just keep them safe and bring them to your next appointment.
Washing
It is recommended to wash your extensions 1-2 times a week. More frequently isn’t a bad thing... if you have time to wash and dry your hair more often then go for it. Excessive washing will fade the hair, potentially loosen the attachment faster and dry it/ age it quicker so this why we try and keep it to once or twice a week. Use a dry shampoo in between if necessary to put you on. You must remember the rule of all rules – DO NOT GO TO BED WITH WET HAIR! No matter how tedious blow drying may be it will make your hair matt up very quickly and will be very uncomfortable when we try and brush it out!
Rather than washing the whole head every time, try a top wash in between! This means washing your hair above the extensions over the sink or the shower, tying your extensions back in a low bun out of the way. If you have top washed one too many times then it’s time for the full wash !
Example –
mon – full wash
weds – top wash
sat - full wash
mon – top wash etc
Before washing it is advised to detangle your extension hair with a tangle teaser/extension brush and separate the bonds/ wefts.
It is essential you only use shampoo and conditioner that is designed for hair extension use that we recommend.
When washing your hair, do not tip your head forwards over the bath as this could cause tangling - always wash with your head upright – in the shower is ideal. Smooth the shampoo down the extension hair – do not rub vigorously! Only condition from the mid lengths down to the ends of the hair. Do not apply any conditioner to the bonds/rings/tape as this may cause slippage.
You can pick the top section of your own hair up and apply condition to this section just try and avoid your root area. Pat hair gently when washed – do not rub.
Drying
Before detangling we advise you to use a leave in conditioning spray and a small amount of oil (Kerastase Elixir Ultime, Kerastase Gloss Absolu or Kerastase Premiere Oil are my faves). Make sure all bonds / top of the weave is dried completely. Be very careful if brushing the hair when wet, make sure you support the extensions hair by holding the bonds.
For a sleek finish, section your hair off and blow dry using a round brush with soft bristles. You can blow dry your extensions as you would your own hair, just more gently so you don’t pull too much, pulling them too hard will loosen your extensions and will be uncomfortable on your scalp! You may find the hair feels fluffy once dry, so use heat protector and finish by using a good quality straightening iron. If you want to air dry them, it’s no problem during the day but word of warning – they will look fluffy / frizzy until tamed with heat!
Be very careful that you do not snag the bonds. Heated Rollers, Straightening Irons, crimpers and tongs can all be used on the extension hair although it is advisable to use a Heat Protection Spray to protect the both your hair and the extension hair EVERY TIME you use heat. Hairsprays, can be used but avoid the bonded areas as this may cause slippage. Hairspray will cause product build up over time and can make the extensions feel dry/knotty if not washed out properly.
Sleeping
Please do not go to bed with wet hair. It will cause matting and be very uncomfortable when it comes to having your extensions removed. Ensure your hair is completely dry and thoroughly brushed through with a soft bristle brush. Please ensure your hair is plaited before bed. Going to bed with loose hair will cause tangles. If you don’t want waves from the plaits you could use a few scrunchies down the ponytail as an alternative.
Brushing/styling
Remember your extensions are attached to your own natural hair, pulling too hard or mistreating your extensions can result in your own hair being pulled out. The only brush you should use near to your extension bonds is a soft bristle brush or tangle teaser - meaning the brush gently glides over the bonds or weave row. When brushing the extensions always hold the weave row/bonds, making sure no additional stress is put on the hair. Brushing your hair when its wet is a no no! The extension attachment Is most fragile when wet and the hair can get knotty. Wait until you’ve blasted the hair off a little before you start blow drying with a brush.
Tie your hair back in a loose ponytail or plait using a soft scrunchie for bed.
Styling your new weave can be a lot of fun but please understand your extensions are fitted in your head to suit the majority of hair styles but mainly down. Half up half down styles and slick high pony’s may be more difficult to cover the extensions and cause tension on your attachment points.
Pregnancy and extensions
Getting a hair extensions during pregnancy usually does no harm at all. Why not make yourself feel fabulous with your bump! One thing I must highlight though is the major hormone changes you’ll experience. Your hair can change a lot... grow loads and thicken up (YAY) or start to shed and thin out. If you choose to wear extensions during pregnancy we are happy for you to come to us as long as you understand that your hair can change and that if you start drastically shedding, you can’t blame it on the extensions. Ive had so many clients who have successfully worn them before during and after pregnancy and it’s your choice and at your own risk if you want them in or not.
Important things to remember
We do not recommend colouring, tinting or perming the extension hair as these types of products contain elements that can damage the extension hair and even though our extensions are 100% human hair. Doing so will void returns policy on faulty goods. This means if the hair was faulty (matting, bushy, excessively knotty, shedding) the brand who supply the hair would do nothing about it as they would pin it on the colouring/toners used.
The more heat you use on the hair extension the shorter the life span of the hair, treat your extensions with the same respect as you would with you own natural hair. Try to keep the curling and straightening to a minimum. Excessive heat will fade the colour and cause the extensions to snap and shorten.
Lighter Shades may have a slightly shorter life span than darker shades on average. They have been through so much more to achieve the gorgeous pale tones - so lets treat them with respect! The lighter shades will need extra care and less heat application to increase the lifespan. Colours can fade over time and it will happen quicker if the hair is drying out from heat damage or excessive washing!
Be careful with silver shampoo – it can grab very quickly and make blonde extensions blue real quick! Using it is at your own risk. Water it down if you need to use silver shampoo and be extra careful. Silver shampoo can dry the extensions out over time.
So, any difference in aftercare on holiday?
Vay-cay with your extensions is always going to be at your own risk. Saying that, if you do go away with them in
(like hundreds of my clients have) then have a read through this section. This is to be followed on top of your usual aftercare regime.
I do not advise that you swim when wearing extensions as prolonged water exposure especially with chemicals may weaken the bonds /tape. Chlorine in pools and salt in the sea combined with heat can also cause the extension hair to discolour, deteriorate in condition and matt.
If you do swim we recommend you take the following precautions:
Brush through your hair and extensions and ensure its tangle free, then place your extensions into a braid or plait using a covered bobble.
DO NOT I REPEAT DO NOT GO IN THE POOL WITH KNOTTY HAIR OR HAIR IN A BUN – IT WILL MATT TOGETHER! Been there, done that … spent hours brushing out dread locks for clients.
Avoid getting the extension hair wet where possible. Even avoiding the pool and sea and only washing your hair in the hotel shower may still have an effect on the extensions. Foreign water can contain a high hard water content. Sun cream will most likely make your lighter toned hair pink/ peach due to a chemical called Avobenzone. You can buy sun creams these days that don’t contain this chemical so keep an eye out for the ingredients.
If you do have discolouration (pinky peachy or orangey tones) you will need to purchase the Malibu hard water wellness sachets! They are great at removing the discolouration. If you youtube additional lengths – MALIBU C hard water wellness you’ll see a video on how to use the product.
Product recommendations
I have listed a few of each so you can look round for what suits you best. We are an official Kerastase stockist so we can help you in store with all things hair care to ensure you are looking after your new extensions and your own hair whilst using our services.
Shampoo/conditioner/ oil / heat protector – to be used every time you wash your hair
If you are using a shampoo and mask from these brands they will be perfectly fine to use with your extensions. PLEASE avoid any supermarket shampoos. They are not good for your weave or your own hair. Poor quality products will result in your weave life span shortening and it may discolour them and dry them out unnecessarily.
Brands we love -
Kerastase
Morrocan oil
Redken
Oil – daily if hair is feeling dry, if not every few days to keep hair feeling soft
Kerastase elixur ultime oil ( a heavier oil great for older dryer extensions)
Kerastase gloss absolu (a little more light weight targeting anti frizz)
Kerastase premier oil (again more of a light weight oil for damaged hair)
Basically - anything kerastase!
Heat protector
To use ANY TIME you put heat on your hair. Hairdryer, straighteners, tongs .. if it’s hot put it on! Excessive heat will burn and dry the hair just like your natural hair. The life span will shorten the more heat you use.
Moroccan oil heat protector
Ghd curl hold/heat protector
Brush for general use
Soft bristle Brush for when the hair is dry to de tangle
Round brush or vent brush for blow drying
If you made it this far we thank you, and we hope you enjoy your new hair extensions! If you get stuck on anything just drop us a message, we will be more than happy to help!
Hollie & Anya xxxx
