Caring for
your extensions
Extension hair gets no sebum from your scalp, so it dries out faster than your own and needs moisture along the length. At the same time, anything reaching the bond itself shortens the wear. All the care comes down to one rule: feed the lengths, keep the roots and bonds clear.
Washing
Wash standing under the shower rather than bending over the bath — bending tangles the strands at the root. Shampoo goes on the scalp only and rinses down the lengths, which is enough. The water should be warm, not hot. Conditioner and masks go from mid-length down and never touch the bonds: silicones and oils soften keratin and make the bond slip.
Brushing and sleeping
You need a looper brush with widely spaced bristles and no balls on the tips — the balls catch the bonds. Brush from the bottom upward, holding the strand at the root, two or three times a day. Never sleep with wet hair: damp strands mat worst overnight. Before bed, gather the hair into a loose plait rather than a tight ponytail that pulls on the bonds.
What to avoid
Saunas and hammams: constant hot steam softens the bonds. Chlorinated pools only with a cap — chlorine dries donor hair irreversibly. Dry shampoos and alcohol sprays near the roots. And any oil-based product above mid-length. Salt water is not forbidden, but rinse with fresh water straight after the sea.
Common questions
Can you wash your hair daily with extensions?
Every other day is better. Daily washing does no harm in itself, but each wet-and-dry cycle loosens the bond a little. If your roots get oily quickly, wash just the root area.
Can you use a straightener or curling iron?
Yes, keeping 2–3 cm away from the bonds and at up to 180 °C. High-melting keratin tolerates styling, but direct contact between a hot plate and a bond will deform it.
What shampoo do extensions need?
A sulphate-free one with neutral pH and no oils or silicones. Any colour-care shampoo works provided oils are not high in the ingredient list. The brand matters less than keeping the product off the bonds.
Read next
questions?