Preparing for Hair Extensions and Aftercare advice:

Prior to having your hair extensions fitted please ensure that your hair is thoroughly washed and cleansed. It is best to use a clarifying shampoo to remove any produce build-up or residue. Have your dried and straight and free from any styling products. This will make it clearer to see the bonds and ensure the bonds adhere better to your natural hair.

Allow more than 48 hours after fitting before you wash your hair. But also washing your hair should be kept to 2-3 times a week to ensure that the hair lasts longer. Washing too frequently can soften the bonds and lead to you losing the extensions.

Now you have your extensions fitted, a good practice is to make sure you follow a good aftercare routine. This will make sure that the hair will last longer. This guide is put together for you from my own experience of having extensions and it works well for me.

BRUSHING – When you brushing your hair, always use an appropriate hair extension brush.  A loop brush is best but other sorts are available but must be suitable for extensions! Anything with balls on the ends will only rip and break your hair. Try to brush your hair twice a day. SUPPORT – you must support the hair when brushing as not doing this will only result in the strain on the extension and result in bonds slipping down the natural hair or worse, coming out. I find if you start from the top of your head, taking a section at a time. Holding the section at the base supporting the hair at all times, brush from the tips working upwards. Then once this section is complete clip it out of the way before you work on the next section underneath.  Once all the hair is done be careful when releasing it from the clip. Hair can be brushed when it’s wet, but it is wise to apply the leave-in conditioner, use a wide tooth comb and follow the same routine. When going to bed I recommend you to tie the extensions in pig tails or plait the hair. This will stop the bonds rubbing together causing excess matting and tangling.

WASHING - When it comes to washing your hair, make sure you brush it first. It is always best to wash your hair in a shower allowing the water to run off it. Always use a shampoo designed for hair extensions. X-10,  Racoon or Balmain are to name but a few. Smooth the shampoo on being careful not to rub hard or agitate the bonds. The conditioner must only be applied to the mid-length and ends and can be left on for a few minutes to penetrate into the hair. Remember the hair is dead and will need to be nourished! When drying, do not rub the hair with a towel or wrap it up in a turban. Place the towel over the head and tuck either side under the hair at the back of the head. You can now gently squeeze and blot the water out do not wring or twist the hair. You can now at this point apply a leave-in conditioner to mid-length and ends (X-10 or I use Uniq One All in one). Try to separate each bond working through the whole head. Comb this through using the technique before supporting the hair at all times. If you want to apply and oils or products, this is fine but remembering to avoid the bonds as this softens them.

DRYING AND STYLING – The hair is 100% human so you can style it as you would your natural hair. Number 1 rule is, do not apply high heat! Hair like any natural material has a melting point and anything over 160°C would be detrimental to the hair and bonds. You can leave the hair to dry naturally, however it can sometimes result in the style looking dryer. Using curling tongs or straighteners smooth the cuticle and gives the hair a smoother, shinier overall look. But still keep in mind that the hair must be supported while this process is being performed. When using heat use a good heat protecting spray!! Keep heat appliances away from bonds!! The Uniq One All in one treatment contains a heat protector so does this job too. If using rollers or Bendy’s, do not over tighten as this puts strain on the bonds. 

COLOURING HAIR – Any colouring of your own hair should be done at least 4-7 days prior to the application of hair extensions but a colour match in the consultation is better after you have coloured your hair! Your own hair can still be coloured or highlighted after the extensions have been fitted. This process should be performed by a professional. It is vital that hair dye or bleach does not come into contact with the keratin bond as this will result irreversible damage and would jeopardise the longevity of the hair extensions. Hair extensions can be coloured and this should again only be performed by a professional.

SWIMMING AND SPORT –  Always tie your hair up or use a cap (preferably silicone not latex), when swimming, as chlorine and salt water can break down the keratin bonds making sure that the hair is thoroughly rinsed afterwards. It’s advisable to tie your hair up or plait it when doing sports. 

GENERAL - When taking a shower or a bath its best to pin up hair or use a shower cap. You may expect some discomfort for the first two weeks or so. Your scalp needs to get used to the extra weight of the hair applied. An itchy scalp could signify you have not rinsed out shampoo properly, or your scalp is getting used to the extensions.

MAINTENANCE – It is advised that you book a maintenance appointment 4-6 weeks after fitting. This appointment consists of checking all the bonds, tightening or resealing any that need it. Replacing any bonds that have been lost in that time, and to sort out any matting and tangling that may have occurred.  This appointment is not always needed. Micro bonds can be repositioned after 2 months where as Fusion bonds need to be removed after 3 months. After having extensions fitted you will find that some of the extensions may come out. This is nothing abnormal, in fact some find that they may lose only 1 or 2 extensions where as others lose up to 25!! That is why it is essential to have regular maintenance appointments to prevent this from happening. If you do see any of your own hairs coming out after having your extensions fitted, don’t panic! These are due to the natural daily shedding of your hair, but you will notice it more because you have had extensions fitted. (see maintenance prices by clicking the Hair Extension Prices tab).

In rare cases, 1 in 50,000 clients experience hair loss because their hair roots were too weak to support the bonds. Unfortunately this cannot be determined until you wear extensions. It is extremely rare that this should happen but must be taken into consideration. However, hair weights are chosen on the texture and strength of the natural hair before application to minimise this happening.

Please note: I have given all aftercare instructions to the best of my ability and I do not take responsibility for the loss of any hair extensions. They are applied  professionally and correctly and if poor aftercare is carried out, then this can result in the loss of some hair extensions. If you have any further question, please do not hesitate to email or call.