How to Take Care of Your Hair Extensions
Hair extensions can be a great way to get the long, lustrous locks you’ve always wanted. But the right care is key if you want your extensions to look their best. We’ve created a short guide to proper hair extension care, so you can learn:
How to take care of hair extensions
Some basic do’s and don’ts for your new extensions
The differences between various types of hair extensions
At Johnny Rodriguez The Salon®, our goal is to make sure that clients at our salons in Dallas and Plano look and feel like their best selves - not just when they’re sitting in the stylist’s chair. So, we make sure our clients know how to keep their hair happy and healthy using the right care, styling, and products.
Whether you’re leaving our salon with a fresh new color, a different cut, or hair extensions, you might need to switch up your maintenance and care routines. Hair extensions, in particular, require a little extra TLC when it comes to everyday care - but the changes are easy to make and absolutely worth it.
What are the Different Types of Hair Extensions?
Before we get into how to care for hair extensions, let’s take a closer look at the most popular hair extension types. Understanding the features of each can help you make the right choice for your hair and make it easier to pick an option that suits your lifestyle and care preferences.
Wefts (hand-tied and machine-tied)
This hair extension type involves attaching individual sections of hair, called wefts, to the natural hair. Usually, wefts fall into one of two categories:
Hand-tied extensions: Hand-tied wefts are made by tying hair to an extension seam, then knotting it to keep it in place (all by hand). These wefts are thinner than machine-tied wefts, but they are very strong.
Machine-tied extensions: Weft extensions are made using a professional-grade sewing machine, which attaches the hair to the weft itself. These are heavier and denser than the hand-tied version.
Your stylist will add silicone beads to your hair, then sew the wefts to the beads to create a thin but secure bond. Choosing machine-tied vs. hand-tied extensions is a decision your stylist can help you make and one that largely depends on your existing hair type. Naturally thick, dense hair is often ideal for machine-tied extensions, while clients with thinner hair tend to prefer the results of hand-tied extensions.
Fusion
Fusion extensions use individual strands of hair made with special keratin protein bonds at one end. Using a special extension tool, the stylist heats each bond to soften it, then shapes it around existing hair and allows it to cool and harden for a durable hold.
I-Tips
I-tip extensions, like the Bellami hair extensions in Dallas and Plano at our salons, combine copper beading and silicone for a long-lasting, secure grip. With this type of hair extension, you can add considerable volume and still keep a lightweight feel.
Tape-ins
Tape-in extensions are made using medical-grade tape that securely adheres to the roots of your hair. Easy to install and remove, tape-ins are perfect for thinner hair and clients that want an incredibly natural look.
Flat-Tips
Flat-tips are a combination of I-tips and tape-ins, giving you the best of both worlds. The strand-by-strand installation gives you plenty of styling versatility, and the extensions lie flawlessly flat for a natural look.
How To Care for Hair Extensions So They Look Gorgeous Longer
No matter which type of extension you choose, hair extension maintenance makes a world of difference in keeping your new style looking natural, beautiful, and healthy longer. Here are some basic guidelines for how to wash hair extensions and tips for drying, styling, and brushing hair extensions the right way.
How to Wash and Condition Hair Extensions
Use a high-quality, paraben-free, and sulfate-free shampoo for extensions.
Gently massage the hair, but do not scrub vigorously at the ends or your scalp.
Keep any conditioner away from your roots if you have tape-in or fusion extensions.
Sleeping with wet extensions can lead to matting, so make sure your hair has enough time to dry completely before you head to bed. Put your dry hair in a loose ponytail or loose braid to minimize tangling and matting while you sleep.
How to Dry and Style Hair Extensions
Keep in mind that the more hair products you use, the more often your extensions will need to be washed. Avoid alcohol-based formulas and heavy hair sprays whenever possible.
Minimize blow-drying as much as possible in order to reduce breakage and damage. Instead of blow-drying after every wash, let your hair air-dry as much as you can.
If you do decide to use the blow-dryer or a heat styler, apply a quality heat protectant and use the dryer’s low-heat setting. Always point the dryer in a downwards direction to keep frizz and tangles at bay.
How to Brush Hair Extensions
Brushing extensions regularly is one of the most important parts of proper care. Consistently brush your extensions throughout the day in order to avoid matting.
Use only a wide-tooth comb or paddle brush for extensions.
Brushing hair extensions should be done very carefully: securely hold the roots of the extensions in one hand as you brush with the other.
If you have weft extensions, we recommend brushing just one weft at a time.
Don’t brush hair extensions when wet. If you must, only use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb, and be extremely gentle.
Do’s and Don’ts of Hair Extension Care
DO keep up with regular maintenance appointments at the salon.
DO use high-quality hair products safe for extensions.
DO use sulfate-free and paraben-free shampoo.
DO ask your stylist about caring for your type of extensions.
DON’T attempt to remove your own extensions.
DON’T use high-heat settings on blow-dryers, hair straighteners, curling irons, etc.
DON’T forget to protect your extensions with a leave-in conditioner before getting in the pool or ocean.
Enhance Your Hair with Extensions in Plano and Dallas
Ultimately, one of the most important things to know about hair extensions is that the salon and stylist you choose are key. Not all extensions are created equally, so choosing wisely is the best way to achieve the beautiful results you’re hoping for.
At Johnny Rodriguez The Salon® in Dallas and Plano, we use only the highest quality hair extensions, including options from industry-leading brands like Bellami. Customer comfort, satisfaction, and hair health are of utmost concern, and providing superior products is one way we ensure the best outcome.
When you’re ready to try out a fabulous new look, schedule an appointment at our Dallas location on Lover's Lane or our Plano salon at Legacy West.