How to Care for Extensions to Make Them Last Longer

When it comes to our hair, we all want those snatched edges and luscious long locks, right? Having a thick head of hair means that we can play around with different styles, adding a whole lot of fun to your everyday hair routine. If you want a vast array of styles to experiment with, that’s where hair extensions come in.

When you use hair extensions, you can change how you look, whether you add length or volume or just go for a different look. However, these babies do not come without consequences. If you don’t take good care of them, you could end up with matted hair, dull strands, or even irreversible damage to your natural hair if you’re not careful.

But, if they don’t grow from your scalp, then what’s the issue? From sew-ins to clip-on extensions, they can cause you a massive headache (and coin) if you don’t properly care for extensions. Keep scrolling to find out the best ways you can care for extensions!

Rule of Thumb is to Always Have a Good Hair Wash Routine

Contrary to popular belief, you CAN and should wash your hair while your extensions are installed. However, it’s important to remember to take proper care of the hair and scalp beneath them when wearing extensions.

Don’t wash your hair as regularly as you would your natural hair. Excessive washing can cause the install to loosen, and you wouldn’t get lengthy wear out of it. Also, over-shampooing or over-conditioning the roots of your hair might cause a short-lived adhesion to your head. The extensions should be washed and conditioned at least once a month, if not twice a week. Focus on this tip, and remember it if you use keratin bonds or micro links because you risk the beads coming off.

Since oil doesn’t flow down the hair shaft in extensions, your tresses could feel dry. Products that are moisturizing and mild on the hair should be used at all times when you want to care for extensions. Scan through the ingredients in your shampoo and conditioner because sulfate-free, gentle detergents, and a lot of moisture and hydration are what you should look for in products.

Enter, Nubi’s Nourishing & Moisturizing Shampoo. Plant proteins and olive oil are included in this shampoo, making it simpler to untangle hair by hydrating it from root to tip and preventing it from drying out. As a result, healthy-feeling hair means you won’t have to deal with many issues when caring for extensions.

Pro-tip: Stay away from dry shampoo if you have extensions in! Dry shampoo can cause extensions to feel dry and dehydrated, making it much harder to care for extensions.

Keep the Moisture in Your Strands Alive By Using a Good Hair Conditioner

Another essential point you need to note to care for extensions is replenishing your hair’s moisture levels. Like we’ve said earlier, the trick is to wash your hair less, but that leaves you with greasy hair! And remember, when you have extensions in, your natural oils aren’t being spread to the lower part of your tresses, so using a hair conditioner is crucial.

Wondering if you can do a deep conditioning treatment on your extensions? Yes, as long as you don’t put it near the root, you’re good to go! Natural products are always a popular choice because they provide total hydration.

Always condition from mid-length to ends; you can apply any conditioner left on your hands to the top of your head. However, do not directly apply conditioner to the extension beads.

Nubi’s Nourishing & Moisturizing Hair Conditioner is an excellent conditioner to care for extensions. It’s enriched with olive oil, a natural moisturizing ingredient that will help keep your hair’s moisture levels up. It’s also suitable for those of you who have to contend with damaged ends.

Extra Shampooing and Conditioning Tips When Trying to Care for Extensions

As soon as you’ve purchased the right shampoo and conditioner, you’ll be able to wash your hair without fear of damaging your extensions.

First, wash your hair in the shower since the water can flow downwards. Even though it may be quicker to wash your hair by flipping it over the bath, the extensions are more susceptible to tangling. This means you’ll have to spend a long time brushing them out.

Always use shampoo at the roots to remove excess oil and conditioner at the ends to keep the hair moisturized while you wash it. Extensions may begin to fall out of your hair if conditioner is applied to the roots, reducing their usefulness. Also, hot water can remove natural oils from your hair and scalp, so use warm water instead.

Keep Your Routine Minimal and Marie Kondo the Heck Out of it

Sometimes, less is more, and you must only use the products you need. Hair serum is a must-have in your hair care routine. If you’re wondering why you need one, here’s the lowdown.

Are you dealing with frizz and flyaways in your extensions? Hair serum is probably your best bet at taming these bad boys. A hair serum contains silicone which can provide a waterproof covering around the hair cuticle. In addition, each strand is sealed, which ensures that it feels hydrated from the inside out.

With the Nubi Boosting Hair Serum With Marula Oil, you’ll be amazed at the difference it makes in the appearance of your extensions.

Treat Your Extensions to Some TLC

If you fail to take proper care of your extensions, they will become loose, exactly like when you brush your hair too forcefully and see strands fall out. Even if your extensions get tangled, how you deal with them is what matters most.

First and foremost, you’ll want to get a high-quality brush. Next, use a wide-toothed comb or a wig brush to detangle your hair extensions gently. Start at the bottom and work your way to the top. Reducing hair shedding and breakage is as simple as detangling your hair from the ends and working your way to the roots. You’ll get more wear out of your extensions if you take extra care during detangling, so it’s worth it. Using this technique, your hair, extensions, and scalp will be less stressed, resulting in healthier hair and extensions in the long run.

Try to avoid using too many heat tools on your hair extensions. Why? Because they don’t receive your hair’s natural oils and nutrients. Instead, use a heat-free styling product, like a texture spray, to achieve your desired look.

If you’re looking for a new styling spray, check out the one by Nubi Hair! Its extra potent formula will give you that extra hold for any style you decide to flaunt.

Heat Damage is a Big No-No When it Comes to Your Extensions

Hair extensions, like your own hair, can be damaged if they are overheated. Even if you have 100% human hair in your extensions, including micro rings and tape-ins, they can feel brittle and develop split ends over time. This implies that no matter how many treatments you perform to condition those extensions, you may be forced to replace them if they become damaged. Fortunately, there are numerous techniques to minimize heat damage to your strands. Here are a few of them:

Dry Your Hair on a Cool Setting

When you’re using a blowdryer, always turn the heat down low. Experiment with several settings to find the one that works best for you without burning your hair extensions. The Nubi Blow Me Away blowdryer is one worth investing in. This device comes with a cool shot button and is suitable for all types of hair. This makes it perfect even if you flaunt curly or straight hair.

Favor Heatless Styles When Possible

If you straighten or curl your hair regularly with a lot of heat styling products, you’re shortening the life of your hair extensions, yikes! Instead, try overnight curls or a fun updo that will style your hair and shape it while you sleep. This can also help with tangling.

Before you go to sleep, it’s a good idea to tie back your extensions loosely. A silk scrunchie or spiral hairband in a low ponytail is the ideal solution if you’re in a hurry. Alternatively, a loose French braid is a wonderful way to prevent tangling, and, even better, you’ll wake up with beachy waves.

Don’t Sleep With Damp Extensions

Another pointer is to always dry your hair before you sleep. While it may be tempting to go to bed with damp hair, we cannot stress enough how important it is to completely dry your tresses before bed. Always avoid sleeping with wet hair if you want to properly care for extensions.

Because wet hair is more brittle, your nightly tossing and turning can damage both your natural hair and your extensions. When you get out of bed in the morning, your hair will be tangled to the point that it will take you a lifetime to detangle. In addition, the bonds will be put under a lot of stress even if you take additional care to brush out knots. This will cause the bindings to weaken and strain your scalp.

Install and Replace Your Extensions Properly

Even if you take great care of your extensions, you won’t be able to keep wearing them indefinitely. Sew-ins can last up to three months with careful maintenance and regular visits to your hairstylist. However, as soon as your hair grows out so much that the installation is entirely visible, you know it’s time to remove it. To avoid matting and tangling, remove your extensions every six to eight weeks. Of course, this will depend on how fast your hair develops.

Besides replacing them, another way to care for extensions is by installing them right. Make sure your extensions are applied by a professional who has been trained in the extension procedure you’ve chosen.

Try clip-ins if you’re not sure you’ll be able to keep up with the maintenance. Clip-ins are fantastic because you can pull them out at the end of each day. However, you could also opt for micro links for a seamless finish.

Feel Like the Queen That You Are and Sleep in Silk

Try wrapping your extensions in silk, or sleeping on a silk pillowcase, to keep them from falling out. Preparing your extensions for a good night’s sleep is a simple process that anybody can learn!

First, brush the region where your hair extensions are attached to your natural hair near your roots. Do this softly with a small, soft brush. Next, wrap a silk scarf around your head. Then, tie it behind your head and knot it at the center of your forehead. This will keep your hair flowing in the same direction as it was before.

Easy peasy, right?

Summary

Hair extensions are a terrific way to lengthen and thicken the look of your locks, regardless of how short, medium, or long your hair is naturally. However, irrespective of whether you’re using clip-in or sewn-in hair extensions, you’ll need a hair care regimen to keep them looking their best.

Need to invest in some new products to make sure that you can care for extensions in the best way possible? Check out the full range from Nubi Hair here!