Hair Care
Proper aftercare and timely move-ups are crucial to ensure your hair extensions stay healthy.
If you experience any discomfort after getting your extensions, such as itching or aching, don't worry, it's normal and usually goes away within 5 days. If any discomfort doesn't go away within 5 days, feel free to come back in so we can adjust the extensions. (Individual Keratins excluded)
Additionally, your hair may feel heavy the first few days, but this is normal as you're not used to having extra hair on your head. Within 5 days, you'll get used to the feel of hair extensions.
BRUSH
Section your hair with a clip exposing only the bottom weft first. Hold the seam of the weft with one hand and gently brush the ends, working your way up.
Gently brush close to the scalp to avoid tangling, being careful not to brush over the seam of the weft.
Working your way up, repeat the same process for each weft.
Check out this great video on brushing long hair.
WASH
Brush your hair before showering, separating each track/weft to brush as close to the scalp as you can. Make sure to be extremely gentle but remove tangles.
Avoid bunching up your hair when shampooing as well as vigorous scrubbing. Bunching it up at the top of your head will cause tangling.
Apply shampoo to your scalp, and let the shampoo rinse over the extensions. Shampoo in a downward straight motion the same way your hair grows.
Condition in the same downward motion but avoid getting conditioner too close to the roots where the extensions are applied. Conditioner is very slippery and getting it too close to where the extensions are applied can cause slippage and product buildup.
Shampoo on the roots, conditioner on the tips/ends.
DRY
First, get as much moisture out of your extensions using a towel.
Pointing the blow-dryer down (toward the floor) blow dry (on low heat) where the extensions are applied along the seam of the weft.
If you can, try to air dry the rest of the extensions, the least amount of heat the extensions endure, the longer they'll last.
While they're air drying, apply a leave in conditioner/serum on the tips/ends of the extensions.
For IKSL: Due to the Individual Keratin Shrink Links being attached with a glue like tube, direct heat from the blow dryer is not recommended. Too much heat in one area will cause the Shrink Links to melt. To avoid this, make sure you constantly move the blow dryer.
STYLE
Metal flat irons and curling irons are very harsh on extensions. Opt in for ceramic!
If you're using heat, try to stay at or below 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
No heat styling is best for longevity, check out this video on easy heatless curls.
SLEEP
Always brush your hair before bed.
Sleep with your hair in a loose braid or bun using a scrunchie. You can also sleep in the curling noodle to wake up with beach waves.
If you're a back sleeper, try two braids or buns parted down the middle.
For extra care, sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase.
When you wake up, brush your hair.
MAINTAIN
If you plan on keeping your extensions long term,
schedule to have them moved up/tightened
every 4-6 weeks to protect your hair.
On average, a person sheds 50-150 strands of hair per day. Move ups of extension rows are very important because hairs that have already naturally shed will be stuck in the beads until I have a chance to remove the beads and brush them out.
Waiting long periods of time in between tightening can cause tangling, matting, and stress to your natural hair.
EXTRA CARE
I do not recommend getting your hair wet when in
salt water or chlorine pools. Wearing it up is highly recommended.
If you can't avoid getting the hair extensions wet in salt water or chlorine pools, Check out this great video on swimming with hair extensions.
Before swimming, lather the hair extensions with conditioner (avoiding the roots), then braid the hair. Brush and recondition the hair immediately after swimming.
SPF protection that is not mineral based can stain hair extensions. Blonde hair extensions are particularly susceptible to discoloration. Brunettes may notice a slight color change also.
I recommend only using a mineral based sunscreen. Sunscreens that aren't mineral based have ingredients called Avobenzone & Octocrylene that may turn the extensions an orange color.
