The first thing you must understand when making the decision to get hair extensions is that everyone's hair is different and you know your hair better than anyone. Your stylist should be able to advise you of the pros and cons with getting extensions and then it is up to you to make the decision to get them installed. Before you get extensions you should evaluate the quality of your hair and decide if they are the best thing for your unique situation. You should keep in mind that hair extensions are a commitment and require regular maintenance and gentle care. Things such as mistreatment, eating disorders, and drug use are just some of the things that can have heavy effects on your hair and therefore on your extensions. You are responsible for the care of your hair and your extensions at all times. If you have any concerns once you have your extensions installed, you should notify your stylist as soon as possible so they may offer their advice or assistance before anything becomes a problem.
If
you have decided to get extensions it is extremely important that you
follow the hair care instructions provided by your stylist for the
health of your natural hair and your extensions.
Suggested Hair Care Instructions
-
To prepare your hair to have extensions installed you should freshly
wash your hair with a good clarifying shampoo and only apply
conditioner to the ends of your hair if you absolutely need it. Freshly
cleaned and dried hair will ensure a strong bond.
-
After you have had extensions put in do not wash your hair for at least
24-48 hours. This allows the bonds to fully harden. The longer you
wait, the better it is for the longevity of the bonds.
-
Regular washing of your hair should be only once every two to three
days. If you have a problem with oily hair, try patting a small amount
of baby powder on your roots (for blondes). If you are a brunette or
red head,
Bumble and Bumble makes a similar product for your hair color.
-
Although
there are probably many good shampoos and conditioners out there that
work well with extensions it is impossible for me to try each one and
know which is good or bad. I have heard stories about some
over-the-counter products breaking down bonds so it is important to
stick with a good brand. I personally use a brand called
Pureology which I recommend that all clients only use for the best the best extension results.
Pureology is now available here at YourHairShop.com
-
When conditioning your hair, try to keep the conditioner away from the
bonds. Conditioner on or too near to the bonds may cause them to loosen
and slip. Always keep the hair in a relatively straight position while
washing. Never lather it up into a ball on top of your head- this can
cause tangling.
-
After showering, you can blow dry your hair but try not to put any direct heat on the bonds or they could possibly melt.
-
You may swim as usual but remember that prolonged water exposure may weakens the bonds. Dry roots as quickly as possible.
-
Always
brush out your hair before washing and again afterwards to avoid any
tangling. You may use a spray in detangler on the ends of your hair.
-
Extensions seem to be susceptible to being pulled out when the bonds
are wet, so use care. (especially with the Extendtube system)***
-
I recommend buying an "extension brush" to brush out your scalp.
Extension brushes can be bought during your appointment or from here at YourHairShop.com
-
When
brushing your hair use extreme care. Always hold hair in a ponytail
while brushing out the ends (which may be done with a regular brush).
For the rest of your hair, hold one hand firmly against your scalp
while brushing. Doing this will ensure less shedding and a longer life
for your extensions. When brushing over your scalp, you should use a
extension brush to avoid any bristles getting caught in the bonds and
pulling out your natural hair.
-
Remember your extensions are attached to your own natural hair, pulling
too hard or mistreating your extensions can result in your own hair
being pulled out.
-
All of the extensions I do are done with 100% Human Hair so you may use
straighteners, curling irons, or any type of hot tools on your
extensions that you would normally use on your real hair.
-
If your extensions were put in using fusion, use caution around the bonds of your extensions, they melt easily.
-
As far as dyeing your extensions goes, it is not recommended. I have
however heard successful stories of girls dyeing them darker shades
(darker = adding color), but not for lightening extensions which has
been known to damage the hair
(lighter = stripping color). Any coloring of the extensions are done so at your own risk.
-
You may get your roots touched up after your hair starts to grow out without any problems.
-
I recommend sleeping in a loose ponytail (soft scrunchie) or braid to avoid any tangling from occurring the night.
-
It is important to keep an eye on your hair daily and make sure you do
not get any knots in your hair. Proper bushing will stop knots from
starting. If you have noticed two or three strands starting to tangle
together you can grab the ends of the strands and pull them apart to
stop the tangle from getting worse. If you ever do find a knot it is
important to get it out as soon as possible before it becomes a problem.
-
If you have Extendtubes, it is important to know that the rings are
made of metal and coated with a thin layer of hair colored paint. Some
people do have metal allergies and it is up to you to decide on testing
a few before a full head of them is put in. I myself do have metal
allergies to cosmetic jewelry and have not had any problems using links.
-
Some shedding is normal. Please take into account that if you had short
hair to begin with youfre only use to seeing very short hairs on your
brush; now that you have long hair it will look like there is a lot
more hair in your brush, this is normal.
***If you ever have any problems please contact your stylist immediately ***
|