Essential Hair Extension Maintenance 101
Keep Your Extensions Gorgeous and Long-Lasting
At Blunt Hair Co. in Toronto, we’re passionate about helping you achieve flawless, natural-looking hair with extensions that last. Whether you're rocking tape-ins, Genius wefts, or K-tips, proper maintenance is key to ensuring your extensions stay beautiful and your natural hair remains healthy. To keep your hair extensions looking their best, it's important to follow a few simple yet effective care tips.
In this blog post, we'll break down the best practices for maintaining your hair extensions, ensuring they stay stunning for months to come. From washing to styling, these steps will keep your extensions in top shape while maintaining the health of your natural hair.
1. Use High-Quality Shampoos, Conditioners, and Masks
When it comes to washing your extensions, quality products make all the difference. Always use high-quality, sulfate-free shampoos, conditioners, and hair masks specifically designed for extensions or color-treated hair. Avoid harsh chemicals that can damage the extensions or cause them to lose their softness and shine.
Why It’s Important: Sulfates and parabens can strip the hair of its natural oils, making your extensions dry and prone to breakage.
Best Tip: Opt for nourishing formulas that hydrate and protect your extensions, keeping them soft and tangle-free.
2. Shampoo Your Tape-Ins and K-Tips Twice a Week (Ideally)
While it might be tempting to wash your hair more frequently, shampooing your extensions too often can lead to product buildup, which can cause the adhesive bonds on tape-ins and K-tips to weaken. Ideally, you should shampoo your extensions about twice a week.
Why It’s Important: Excess oils and product buildup can cause the extensions to slide down or loosen faster.
Tip: Focus on cleansing the scalp and mid-lengths, avoiding heavy product near the roots of the extensions.
3. Protect Your Extensions with Loose Ponytails, Buns, and Updos
It’s important to avoid tension on your extensions to prevent unnecessary stress on the bonds, tapes, or wefts. Loose ponytails, buns, and updos are the best way to keep your hair secure without damaging your extensions.
Why It’s Important: Tight hairstyles can cause friction and pull on your extensions, potentially leading to breakage or loosening.
Best Tip: Always opt for gentle, loose styles when securing your hair, and avoid tying it too tightly when sleeping or working out.
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4. Always Use Heat Protection and Serum Before Blow-Drying
Heat styling is a part of many people's daily routines, but it’s crucial to protect your extensions from heat damage. Always apply a heat protectant and a serum before blow-drying, straightening, or curling your extensions.
Why It’s Important: Extensions, like natural hair, can be damaged by excessive heat. The right products help to shield the hair from heat and keep it shiny and healthy.
Best Tip: Apply a light serum to the mid-lengths and ends of your extensions to enhance shine and reduce frizz.
We rave about the Balmain Thermal Protection Spray. It offers heat protection up to 450 degrees, lightweight moisture and smells devine.
5. Avoid Air-Drying: Dry the Root Area First
While air-drying might seem like a convenient option, it can lead to matting and tangling at the roots, especially for extensions like K-tips or tape-ins. If you must air-dry, ensure you dry the root area first to avoid tangles. Once the roots are dry, you can re-wet the mid-lengths and ends to refresh the hair and use your curling or air-dry products.
Why It’s Important: Air drying causes the roots to remain damp, leading to tangling and matting as the extensions dry.
Best Tip: When air-drying, use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers to detangle gently while the hair is still damp.
6. Schedule Regular Blowouts to Prevent Matting
One of the most important things you can do to maintain your extensions is to schedule regular blowouts with your stylist. This is especially essential for K-tip installations, which you want to last up to 6 months. A blowout helps to ensure the hair stays smooth and prevents any matting or tangling at the roots.
Why It’s Important: Regular blowouts will help you maintain the health of your extensions and prevent tangling or damage caused by product buildup.
Best Tip: Book a blowout with your stylist every 4-6 weeks to keep your extensions looking fresh and to maintain their longevity.
Click here to book a blowout today, make it extra special by adding a deep moisture treatment.
7. Nighttime Care for Healthy Extensions
Proper nighttime care is essential for keeping your hair extensions tangle-free and intact. To prevent knots, breakage, or unnecessary stress on your extensions while you sleep, follow these simple tips:
Loose Braid with a Soft Scrunchie: Before bed, tie your hair in a loose braid using a soft scrunchie. This helps prevent tangling and keeps the extensions from pulling at the roots.
Silk Pillowcase or Bonnet: Sleep on a silk pillowcase or wear a silk bonnet to reduce friction. Silk helps prevent frizz, tangling, and breakage, keeping your extensions smooth and shiny overnight.
Why It’s Important: Tying your hair in a loose braid and using a silk pillowcase reduces the friction that can cause hair to tangle or break. It also keeps your extensions from getting caught or pulled during sleep.
Best Tip: Use a silk scrunchie for the braid to avoid unnecessary pressure or damage to your extensions.
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Bonus Tips for Long-Lasting Extensions:
Regular Maintenance Appointments: Book follow-up appointments with your stylist to check on your extensions and ensure they’re still secure and in good condition.
Use the Right Brushes: Use a loop brush or wet brush to detangle your extensions gently without causing damage. Make sure the brush doesn’t have the little balls at the end - this gets caught in your extensions! We HIGHLY recommend Tangle Teezer brushes. They’re affordable and last forever making them the best detangling brush for your extensions. [https://amzn.to/4imVPK3]
Avoid Sleeping with Wet Hair: If you sleep with damp hair, your extensions can become tangled or matted. Always make sure your hair is completely dry before going to bed.
Conclusion:
Proper maintenance is key to keeping your hair extensions looking fresh, healthy, and beautiful. At Blunt Hair Co. in Toronto, we’re here to guide you through every step of caring for your extensions, from the right shampoos to essential blowouts. Follow these tips to ensure your extensions stay in top shape for months and you maintain your natural hair health.
Ready for your next extension appointment or have questions about hair extension care? Contact us at Blunt Hair Co. today, and let our expert team help you maintain your stunning new look!
For more information on Hair Extensions at Blunt Hair co Click Here.