Are you looking into getting hair extensions? Make sure you know how to properly take care of them before you do. Keep reading to learn all you need to know about how to get and how to take care of hair extensions.

If you’re looking to get hair extensions, there are a few things you should know before making the plunge. Hair extensions can completely change your look or just add fullness to a style you already love.

Because hair extensions can be an investment, it’s important to know how to take care of hair extensions. This will help extend the life of your purchase and keep you looking great for longer.

Why Hair Extensions?

Longer, fuller hair just feels sexy. A new set of fresh extensions brings back memories of all of those nineties shampoo commercials. Beautiful models would toss mountains of shiny tresses back and forth for the camera much to the envy and delight of the viewer.

A new set of hair extensions make you feel like that girl.

You may have already toyed with the idea of clip in extensions before deciding that you’re ready for a more permanent option. Clip-ins can be a great choice for a one-night affair, but can often leave you worrying about when and if one will fall out.

Placement can also be an issue for those who are new to using clip-ins. We’ve all seen someone who hasn’t placed their extensions properly. This is easy to spot because the clips will be visible through the hair.

Hair extensions are great because you’ll no longer have to feel self-conscious about clip-in placement or fear that they might fall out at any moment.

Hair extensions can also be used to add fullness. This is great for those who are already happy with the length of their hair but want to create a healthier, fuller look.

What Are My Options?

When it comes to hair there are really only two choices. Human hair and synthetic.

Both of these categories are available in different quality levels. You’ll want to make sure the hair extensions you select are human hair. Remy (Indian) hair tends to be the industry standard.

Once you’ve selected the kind of hair you want, you’ll want to discuss what kind of bond you’ll want. There are pros and cons to each type of bond. If you haven’t had extensions before, you may want to discuss your options with your hairstylist before making your purchase.

Keratin bonds are a great anchor but can cause some breakage. These extensions come with a small keratin tip that attaches to the hair with heat.

This bond is very unlikely to slip out, however, once it is installed for the first time, the hair is not reusable. This kind of extension, however, often creates the most realistic illusion when worn.

This is because the hair will move independently in small strands, similar to your own hair.

This style of extension is available in a variety of different attachments beyond keratin bond.

These can be attached with microbeads, glue, or by using a sew-in method.

Regardless of what style of bond you choose, your hair will be sold to you in bundles. Each bundle will be made of a set amount of strands that your hairdresser will install. Talk to your hairdresser to see how many bundles you will need to create the style you’re looking for.

Tape-ins are less hard on the hair and reusable if well-cared for. The drawback to tape-in is that because the hair is in small tape strips, there are some hairstyles that aren’t possible with tape-ins.

Tape ins look like high in clip-ins, without the clip. Tape is attached to the weft and then applied to the hair. Well cared for tape-ins can be reinstalled by removing and replacing the old tape.

The piece is then reattached to your hair. This style is great for those who are looking to add fullness without length in a cost-effective way.

Making Hair Extensions Work for You

This can be an especially common issue for those who have alternative hair colors like pink or blue. Redheads have also been said to struggle to find hair extension colors, as natural red hair occurs in less than 2% of the population. This means that there are often fewer colors to choose from in the natural red palette.

If your hair color doesn’t match any of the shades, you can opt to dye your pieces to match your current hair color. You can opt to bleach and color your hair from its original state (virgin hair) or you can color pre bleached hair from a color like platinum blonde.

There are fantastic youtube videos detailing how you can do this yourself, however, if you’re new to processing your own hair, you may want to leave this step to your hairdresser!

You’ll want to drop the hair off with your extension specialist before your appointment to install, as this process can be a bit time-consuming.

How to Take Care of Hair Extensions

Hair extension upkeep doesn’t have to take up much of your time. There are a few key things you’re want to remember for good hair extension upkeep. Keep your new hair looking great and your natural hair healthy by following these tricks for optimal hair extension maintenance.

Avoid Breakage

Your new hair may feel a bit uncomfortable or tight at first, but you should be careful not to scratch no matter what. Scratching tears the natural hair that attaches it to the bond and will cause your natural hair to become thinner.

You’ll also want to skip the Turbie Twist and tight ponytails to avoid additional breakage.

Additionally, you may want to use one hand to hold a section of your extensions from the base while brushing. This will eliminate any additional breakage that can be caused by a rough brushing or detangling.

Watch for Matting

Be sure to keep your bonds separated. As your extensions begin to grow out, your natural hair strands may begin to tangle. You can use your fingers lightly straighten and separate any tangles before they begin the matting process.

If can be tempting, but don’t condition at the bonds. Doing so can cause your hair extension to slip down the shaft of your natural hair. You’ll end up having to remove pieces before they need to be replaced.

Your New Hair

Now that you know how to care for hair extensions, your new hair will have you looking and feeling amazing. Hair extensions can be an investment, but with good care and upkeep, they can be reused and refreshed for months of enjoyment.

We’re confident you’ll love your new look. For more about your hair extension options and how to look your best in 2018, visit our blog!