Let’s talk about the importance of hair extension maintenance. Quality hair extensions aren’t cheap but when they’re properly cared for, they should last for years.
We recently talked about the importance of quality hair extensions and why it’s so important to know where your extensions are coming from. But we also shared that our extensions typically start at $1,500 and can go up to $6,500.
We recognize that your hair is a big investment and that’s why we send all of our clients home with detailed (and pretty strict!) care instructions and follow-up, maintenance appointments. So let’s dive into why maintenance appointments are so important – and what you can do at home to better protect and care for your extensions.
The Importance of Hair Extension Maintenance
Did you know that you shed around 45-98 hairs each day? YUP. When you feel like you’re constantly ‘shedding’, it’s because you usually are.
However, when you have extensions, that shedded hair gets trapped in the small beads/links that are applied to hold the extension strand. That’s why it’s so important to come in for regular hair extension maintenance appointments.
We have our clients come in every 4-8 weeks depending on how well they maintain their extensions at home.
When you come in for your hair extension maintenance appointment, we comb through the ‘shedded’ hair. It may feel like a lot of hair fall – but remember that all of this shedded hair is from 4-8 weeks.
Once we’ve combed through the shedded hair, we then apply a new bead or link and retip the bonds to ensure that they are encapsulated and secure. This process helps keep your hair extensions intact so that they can be reused. But it also means that each time you come in for your hair extension maintenance appointments, we have to essentially start from scratch.
We do this to maintain the quality of your hair – so that you can continue to use these extensions for years to come!
How to Care for Your Hair Extensions at Home
Besides your regular maintenance appointments, we also send our clients home with strict care instructions.
At Olivia Christensen Salon we use only real, quality human hair extensions, which means that you can style them as you would your normal hair. However, you need to take better care of your extensions and your hair overall when you have extensions.
Here are some of our top tips for maintaining your quality hair extensions so you can wear them for years to come.
Attend Regular Hair Extension Maintenance Appointments
As we said above, one of the most important things that you can do to maintain your hair extensions is to come to regular maintenance appointments. Our clients come in every 4-8 weeks for hair extension maintenance. We schedule these appointments to comb out the shedded hair but also to protect the bead/link of each extension.
If you leave your hair extensions in too long with these maintenance appointments, the beads can bend and distort. This can lead to the extensions getting ruined and in some cases, natural hair loss as well.
Have Your Hair Extensions Installed Properly
Similar to the sentiment that not all hair extensions are created equal or of the same quality – how you have your extensions installed is just as important.
At Olivia Christensen Salon we’ve developed a special installation technique that blends your extensions to naturally match your hair. This technique also ensures that your extensions are being installed correctly every time.
Wash Your Extensions Carefully
Oftentimes people feel like they can’t wash their hair when they have extensions in – but that’s far from the truth. In fact, it’s important to wash your hair like normal – but you need to wash your hair less frequently and with greater care.
We recommend brushing your hair carefully before washing, being extremely gentle with your scalp, and avoiding harsh chemicals in your products.
Sleep on Silk or Satin
Whether or not you have extensions, we recommend that you switch to a silk or satin pillowcase. Silk pillowcases prevent dryness and hair loss. We also recommend against sleeping with your hair in a bun, or ponytail or leaving it flowing freely. Instead, put your hair in two loose braids and wrap a silk scarf around your head.
Avoid Using Too Many Products
When it comes to the number of products you use on your hair – more does not equal better. We recommend using fewer products on your hair and instead focusing on the quality of those products and how you use them. Things like dry shampoos should be used sparingly (because they tend to dry your hair out) and we don’t recommend using a heat protectant as most of them contain harmful ingredients that may cause the extensions to slip out.
Brush Your Hair Often
Lastly, make sure that you are brushing your hair often. There’s nothing worse than tangles and knots in your hair extensions. So one of the best (and easiest) ways to maintain your hair extensions is simply through brushing them. Brush your hair when you wake up, when you style your hair for the day, before you shampoo, and before bed every night.
Different types of hair brushes work well for different hair types, so make sure to ask your stylist what they recommend for you.
With proper care, your high-quality hair extensions should last you for months. It’s so important to make sure that you are attending your hair extension maintenance appointments and following strict hair extension care instructions to maintain your beautiful new hair.
If you’re ready to take the leap and get high-quality hair extensions, make sure that you book a consultation appointment with us today.