How to Properly Care for Professional Hair Extensions
Follow These Tips For Stunning Hair Year-Round!
BELLAMI / News / Published: Nov-22-2023
BELLAMI Professional hair extensions are ethically sourced, sustainably produced 100% full cuticle Remy Human Hair. In other words—the highest quality extensions on the market! They are designed to blend seamlessly with your natural hair and can be styled just like it. However, they require some special care to ensure their longevity.
What is "Proper" Care?
If you're reading this, you already know that professional hair extensions are an investment of time and money, so it's only natural to want them to last as long as possible. Proper care can extend their lifespan to an impressive 6-12 months! But what exactly is "proper" care? In the following list, we'll break it down for you, but keep in mind that it's not exhaustive, and we'll continue updating it with the best practices for hair extension wearers.
Brushing Your Hair Extensions
Gently brush your hair extensions throughout the day to prevent tangling and help distribute the scalp's natural oils through the hair. The best way is to start at the bottom and work up to avoid breakage and unnecessary tension on the attachment points.
Use a Proper Brush
A detangling or a boar brush which is kinder to extensions and won't tear and tug. As a bonus, the boar brush will condition and add shine.
Only Brush When Dry
Always brush your extensions BEFORE getting them wet. Hair is weakest when wet, so ensure your extensions are tangle-free before subjecting them to water.
Washing Your Hair Extensions
It's important to space out your washes and use a hydrating, sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to avoid drying out your scalp and hair. This is especially crucial after getting extensions, as keeping the scalp clean without causing issues at the attachment point is essential. Remember, scalp care is hair care. While hot water may feel amazing, warm water does the job while maintaining moisture levels.
How to Wash Semi-Permanent Hair Extensions
Thanks to our BELLAMI Digital and Regional Educator @blushextensionsbar for sharing this technique!
Step 1: Emulsify your shampoo in your palms.
Step 2: Using your fingertips (not your nails!), begin above the attachment point in the center of the head. Start by making small "Z's" in small sections, working your way toward the sides of the head.
Step 3: Repeat between your rows, working towards the neck area and repeat underneath the bottom row underneath the attachment points.
Step 4: Only condition from the mid-lengths to the ends of your hair. Please avoid the point of attachment to keep them strong and secure—we don't want slippage
Step 5: Thoroughly, and we mean THOROUGHLY, rinse your hair.
Nourishing Treatments
Give your hair extensions some TLC—the extra care will go a long way for your extensions' longevity. They are prone to dryness, so nourishing them will prevent breakage and tangling.
Treat Hair to a Mask
Once a week, replace your conditioner with a good mask to deeply condition and repair damage from daily stressors (e.g., brushing and heat styling). Our Miracle Mask penetrates the hair cuticle, leaves hair feeling soft and manageable, enhances bounce and shine, and protects hair color and vibrancy.
Don’t Forget the Leave-In Conditioner
Use a leave-in conditioner on freshly washed hair extensions to lock in moisture and add a layer of protection before combing through them with a wide-tooth comb. We love using Flawless Blend for its ability to blend natural hair with extensions and add heat and UV protection.
Heat Styling
Heat styling is a hot topic—it can be a friend and foe for hair extensions. BELLAMI hair extensions are designed to be styled with hot tools, but there are a few best practices.
Minimize Heat When Possible
Towel dry with a microfiber towel or let hair air dry 80 to 90 percent, then finish with the blow dryer to ensure attachment points are dried thoroughly. Before any heat touches the hair, apply a thermal protectant and make sure it is tangle-free.
Use a Heat Protectant
Before using any hot tool, it's crucial that your hair is completely dry to avoid damage. Even if you use a heat protectant, there's still a risk of frying your hair if it is damp. We recommend using Flawless Blend for curling and Total Defense for straightening. Total Defense is an anti-frizz finishing product that acts as a barrier, making your hair more water-resistant.
Nighttime Care
We know that getting a good night's sleep works wonders for your skin and hair, but did you know that beauty sleep can have some adverse effects? The main culprit is friction, leading to tangling, dryness, and breakage of your natural hair. If you have hair extensions, over time, that friction can cause damaged bonds. Fortunately, there are preventative measures you can take to avoid these.
Wear a Protective Hairstyle
Before bed, try loosely braiding your hair to wake up with waves instead of tangles. Use a soft fabric elastic or scrunchie to secure the braid without breakage.
Sleep In, or on Silk
A silk pillowcase is a luxurious way to protect your hair and extensions while also helping to regulate your body temperature, keeping you cool and comfortable. For even better results, gently twist your hair at the top of your head and cover it with a silk bonnet to keep it free from sweat and moisture.
Maintenance
By following these steps, you can extend the lifespan of your hair extensions and improve your natural hair. Regular visits to your BELLAMI Certified Stylist for hair extension maintenance services, scalp care and strengthening treatments will set you up for success on your hair journey.