How to Care For Your Hair Extensions

DO NOT WASH HAIR FOR 48 HOURS IF DOUBLE SIDED TAPE HAS BEEN INSTALLED

Some Hair loss is normal as with natural hair. Furthermore, since a person’s average natural hair loss is between 100 to 150 hairs per day and a full head of extensions covers approximately one third of the head, you can expect to see a small quantity of naturally released hairs trapped in the attachments after some time.

This is quite normal and should not be interpreted as hair pulled out of the scalp by the extensions themselves. Because of this it is possible to lose 10% of the extensions in between having them attached and having them moved up. Finger separation of the applied strands will avoid matting in this area.

Activities that result in a constant, damp environment such as regularly scheduled aerobics, gymnastics, steam baths or saunas, may lessen the longevity of the service. Precautions should be taken to avoid these conditions being repeated. If you wear a ponytail wear a low ponytail for the first few days.

YOU MUST brush your hair 2 times a day (very gently) from roots to ends to remove all tangles. If you do not, your hair can mat.

YOU MUST come back or notify us within the first two weeks if your hair has matted, gone dry or if you have any other issue as they will occur in the first two weeks if there is a problem with the hair.

DRY YOUR ATTACHMENTS after every wet treatment to prolong the life of your extensions. Avoid touching the point of attachment with a hot styling tool or heat.

Disclaimer

Extensions will slip if you use any products with silicone. This includes hairspray, treatments, and dry shampoo etc. Silicone can be listed in the ingredients under many different names so please only use the products we recommend or read the ingredients carefully, looking for the names outlined below. Treatments and conditioners of any kind are only to be used in the ends of the hair, meaning the last 2 inches.

It is possible that you have a build up of silicone in your hair already which can only be removed with a specific clarifying shampoo. It is best that you clarify your hair before having extensions installed and this is your responsibility.

Affordable Hair Extensions is not responsible for your extensions slipping.

Shampooing/Conditioning & Drying

It is recommended to put your hair in plaits while washing. Never use circular motions, as this will cause the hair to tangle. Always wash with your head tilted slightly back and not forward. Your goal is to clean your scalp rather than your hair as your scalp produces oils which attract dirt. Condition and detangle only from mid-strand to end, avoiding the scalp areas. Do not dry with a scrubbing motion, but instead wrap hair with a towel to remove moisture.

Always Dry The Base Area Thoroughly

To avoid bond breakdown, use medium to low heat when air forming and finish with cool air once the hair is completely dry.

Do not use products that contain man made protein, sulfur (such as dandruff shampoos) or products that contain silicone (also known as PDMS, polydimethylsiloxane, Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Cetyldimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Silicone oil, Amodimethicone or Dimethyl Polysiloxcane). If you do your extensions will slip out in some areas. Many types of Argan oils, Moroccan oils & macadamia oils are well known for their reliance on silicone’s in their products & should not be used on extensions.

Use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner and apply a leave in conditioner from mid strand to end. You may apply styling products to the hair.

Prior To Bedtime

It is recommended that you braid your hair or pull it back into a soft ponytail holder or scrunchy before bed. This prevents matting while sleeping. Never go to sleep with wet or damp hair as this can cause matting.

Brushing & Combing

Brush with a natural bristle brush 2-3 times daily, starting at the nape and working upward. Use a wide tooth comb to remove tangles from hair ends. Do not use a comb in the area between the scalp and the bonds.

Curling Irons/Hot Rollers IMPORTANT

You may use any hot styling tool on your hair extensions such as curling irons, flat irons, crimping irons and a hair dryer, but they must be kept an adequate distance from the bonds. In saying this though, you must use a heat defence product to protect your extensions from drying out. When selecting a heat defence you must ensure that it does not contain any silicone’s, as they can be even more damaging to your extensions. Many straighteners have a max temperature range between 180 degrees to 230, so this extreme heat will fry your hair, if you haven’t properly protected it.

Swimming

Sea water and swimming pool chemicals can cause bond breakage and decrease the longevity of the extensions. To minimize these effects prior to swimming, wet the hair completely in a shower and braid. After swimming, immediately rinse the hair and dry the base area.

Tape Only

Do not wash your tape extensions for 48 hours after installation.

Do not colour the tape on your tape extensions to avoid undermining the adhesive.

A move up every 6 – 8 weeks is required to ensure no matting occurs.

Product Use

The products you use with your extensions are extremely important to their life and integrity. Products that rely on silicone’s such as: Dimethicone & Cyclomethicone for example to provide a soft feel and artificial shine, actually have a more harmful effect on them. These products will coat your hair strands and prevent conditioners and nourishing serums to penetrate the hair strand and thus drying them out over time. This will cause dryness, tangling and also breakage. It is important to check with us first if you are looking to use any products that we haven’t listed below with our extensions. There are certainly many out there that will be great for your extensions and we haven’t tested them all but if you are experiencing any issues, as we have mentioned, please stop using your products and contact us ASAP, so we can look into it before it does cause any significant damage.