Getting the most from your extensions

Good extensions should feel like your own hair and last beautifully, and how you look after them at home makes a real difference. Here’s the short version.

Brush, gently and often

Brush often and gently, working from the ends up rather than dragging from the roots down. Hold your hair at the root as you go, which takes the pull off the attachments. A quick brush morning and night, and before you wash, keeps tangles from setting in.

Washing

Wash a couple of times a week with a moisturising shampoo and conditioner, and use a hair mask once a week. Shampoo twice and condition once, keeping the conditioner and mask on the mid-lengths and ends, away from the roots and attachments. Let the water run down the hair rather than piling it on top of your head.

Always dry your roots

Never sleep on wet extensions. Make sure the roots and attachment points are fully dry before bed, as damp attachments are what leads to matting. At night, tie your hair in a loose braid or low pony, and a hair bonnet or silk pillowcase helps everything stay smooth while you sleep.

Heat and product

Extensions don’t repair themselves the way your growing hair does, so treat them kindly: heat protectant every time, tools turned down, and keep oils and heavy product off the attachments. A little goes a long way on the ends.

Maintenance for weft extensions

If you have wefts, they’ll need moving up on a schedule as your hair grows. I’ll tell you your timing at your fitting, and staying on it keeps them comfortable, invisible and healthy for your own hair underneath. Individual keratin-tip bonds are different: they don’t need moving up. They simply grow out over time and get replaced when you’re ready.

Anything feeling loose, tight or not quite right between visits? Tell me and we’ll sort it out. Don’t wait.