Tips for Proper Hair Extension Care and Maintenance

Hair is so versatile — so easily altered and manipulated — it’s no wonder women have on average 104 different hairstyles during their lifetime. The best thing about hair is that it grows back. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always grow as quickly as we’d like, and we are sometimes stuck with awkward in-between hairstyles while we wait for our locks to catch up to the latest trend.
Well, guess what, ladies? You don’t have to wait. The past two years have seen a 28.5% increase in the number of salons that offer hair extensions, and more and more women are discovering the convenience of this temporary hair lengthening and volumizing method.
There are several different types of hair extensions on the market, and all of them require serious attention to proper hair care and maintenance. Extensions can cost between $300 and $10,000, and to get the most for your money, you must know how to take care of them.
How to Care for Hair Extensions

1. It is essential to brush your extensions often and with the right kind of tool. Brush your extensions with a soft bristle brush only, and never brush them while they are wet. Start detangling from the bottom, and be extra gentle as pulling too hard can cause breakage.
2. Do not wash your extensions more than three times per week. Too much product can damage them, but too much oil will cause them to slip. Only use a sulfate free shampoo to avoid drying out the hair. Wash your extensions in small sections and take it slow. Wet and wash in a downward motion to avoid tangling.
3. Use a nourishing leave-in conditioner, but do not overdo it.
4. Let your extensions dry naturally. Excessive heat can cause serious damage to hair extensions. If you do not have time to air-dry your hair, you can blow-dry, but do so with caution. Use a low-heat setting and use extra caution around the bonded areas.
5. Tie your hair up when exercising to limit the exposure to sweat. When pulling your hair back be careful to avoid tangles and creases that may be hard to remove later.
6. Chlorine and salt are not your friends. If you go for a swim, always wear a swim cap to avoid the damaging effects of chemicals on the hair and bonding agent.

Before getting hair extensions, discuss the best hair care methods with your stylist. Techniques can differ depending on the type of hair used in the extensions and the type of bonding used to attach the extensions to your natural hair.