Wash Your Extensions with Care
Many people (wrongly) assume that you can’t wash your hair when you have extensions. In fact, you can and you must wash it to make sure your scalp remains healthy. However, you do need to take a few precautions to make sure your extensions are not damaged while washing them.
Frequency: Wash your hair once or twice a week to prevent build up on your scalp.
Technique: Use shampoo only on your scalp and conditioner below the bonds of your extensions. Try not to flip your hair over in the shower and let the water run down the lengths instead to prevent tangling. Air dry or dry with a hair dryer after applying Davines Oi oil to your locks!
Products: Choose hydrating shampoos and conditioners that are sulphate-free and gentle like the Davines OI shampoo and conditioner.
Pro tip: Don’t go to bed with wet extensions. There are some horror stories out there with them matting, tangling, or coming loose.
Use a Hair Mask
Our hair stays healthy and hydrated largely due to the nourishment and oils from our scalp. This means you need to pay special attention to your extensions to make sure they remain nourished and glossy. Using a hair mask can provide the deep conditioning your extensions need.
Frequency: Wash your hair once or twice a week to prevent build up on your scalp.
Technique: Use shampoo only on your scalp and conditioner below the bonds of your extensions. Try not to flip your hair over in the shower and let the water run down the lengths instead to prevent tangling. Air dry or dry with a hair dryer after applying Davines Oi oil to your locks!
Products: Choose hydrating shampoos and conditioners that are sulphate-free and gentle like the Davines OI shampoo and conditioner.
Pro tip: Don’t go to bed with wet extensions. There are some horror stories out there with them matting, tangling, or coming loose.
Use a Hair Mask
Our hair stays healthy and hydrated largely due to the nourishment and oils from our scalp. This means you need to pay special attention to your extensions to make sure they remain nourished and glossy. Using a hair mask can provide the deep conditioning your extensions need.
Frequency: Once every two weeks.
Technique: Follow hair mask instructions and apply it below the bonds either before or after shampooing depending on the product.
Products: Davines Oi Hair Butter, Olaplex No. 3, followed by Olaplex 1 and 2.
Brush Your Extensions
Brush your extensions out twice a day, everyday. Keeping your extensions tangle-free is a vital part of ensuring longevity and to avoid matting.
Frequency: At least twice a day – in the morning and before going to bed. More if needed
Technique: Start by brushing out the ends, ridding them of any knots. Slowly work your way up towards the bonds. Be gentle and don’t tug as you don’t want the extensions coming loose.
Products: Use a detangler brush or loop paddle brush.
Look After Your Extensions While You Sleep
Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase. Not only does it feel luxe, it also helps prevent your extensions from drying out. It’s also great for preventing frizz. Tie your hair back in a loose, low ponytail or in a French braid before going to bed.
Styling
Just like your natural hair, extensions are prone to heat damage too. Severe damage can mean you will have to have them replaced.
Frequency: Style your extensions like you would your regular hair but do take breaks from using heat on them.
Technique: Keep the heat as low as possible on your styling tools. Avoid touching the beads with heat.
Products: Use a heat protectant spray before styling. We recommend Unite Glossing Spray or Moroccan Oil Perfect Defense Spray.
Finally, always remember to go to your stylist for your monthly touch-ups.
The Ivy Hair & Extension Lounge is your one stop shop for all of your hair needs including the right products to care for your extensions. Our stylists have endless amounts of experience in helping those who need a little (or a lot of!) hair help, whether that be colour, hair extensions or both. We are always happy to do complimentary consultations for those who want to learn more about our techniques and what we can offer.
You can browse our services here or get in touch with us if you have more questions about how to take care of hair extensions or book your first appointment today.