The individual’s hair is the first thing that is predominantly observed across the globe. A well-structured hair sets the tone for personal grooming. Concerning this, the use of hair extensions has increased rapidly over the years – with the fashion industry at its boom, females, especially young girls, insert hair extensions into existing hair. Hair extensions are synthetic in most cases and increase the volume of the existing hair. Be it any special occasion like birthday parties or wedding ceremonies, concerts, or rave parties, an investment in hair extension is worth it and provisions a favorable impact on the personality.
Why You Should Learn ‘’How to Properly Wash Extensions’’?
Just as we take care of our hair, the same treatment must be done with extensions. Even though the extensions do not get nutrients, leaving them untreated results in a foul smell, moisture build-up, a shorter lifespan, and a dull tone. These factors are appalling to the human eye. Washing depends upon usage; if an individual wears it daily, washing every week is favorable. Human nature is to stand out from the crowd in beauty, and effective treatment helps achieve this.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Washing Hair Extensions for The First Time
Thinking about washing hair extensions for the first time? I gathered some helpful thoughts in this guide that I’m sure will be very helpful for you.
There exist two main types of hair extensions; ordinary and beaded. A somewhat homogeneous approach is meant to be taken for the two types. As for treating a standard hair extension, the following steps must be taken in chronological order.
De-Tangling
Washing the extension with the tangled strands is of no benefit but results in disturbing the quality. The first step to consider is to detangle the strands, and a comb with wide-spaced teeth sits perfectly for the job. Start the detangling from the bottom and then brush to full length to avoid the hair shedding.
If you are looking for a perfect comb to detangle hair, you should try using Paul Detangler Comb, which best deals with tangled locks and glides through wet and dry hair painlessly, preventing breakage.
Preparing mixture
Followed by this is the preparation of the mixture – a little warm water and organic shampoo. The organic shampoo contains antioxidant properties, has a balanced pH formula, and improves the scalp. Whereas warm water signals better absorption of water by the hair and eradicates any build-ups, the availability of distilled water creates a win-win situation since it is free from chemicals and does not supply any harm.
I must not forget to mention that the shampoo to be used on extensions should be sulfate-free. I personally have been using Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo and stuck with it for its super hydrating and revitalizing limp lock properties. If you have been looking for a shampoo to maintain the quality of your extension, you must get your hand on it.
Washing
The next step to take is washing the wefts. Washing two wefts simultaneously is a smart move since hasting will put one at a disadvantage. A crucial point to remember is gentle washing to prevent the loss of texture. This process must be cyclic and terminate after all the wefts are gently washed in the mixture. This step requires time, and it is essential to schedule work accordingly.
Conditioning
Putting the extension on longer can deteriorate its texture, but you can restore its shine by conditioning the wefts. Conditioning acts as a boon to the hair and forms a layer of protection on the top to defend against environmental risks. Gently condition your strands and leave them idle for 10-15 minutes, followed by a lukewarm water rinse to take off residue.
I tested multiple conditioners and found Tea Tree Special Conditioner suiting my extension. Its organic formula contains tea tree oil and lavender that restores shine and smoothens the locks.
Deep Conditioning Mask
A deep organic conditioner takes the smoothness to the next level. Deep conditioning the extension every once or twice a week is a great option. Apply the conditioner to the wefts and leave for a few hours. If one is eager for the outcome, rinsing after a couple of hours is a smart move. If left overnight, the following day should experience the rinsing process.
I tested Vitamins Keratin Hair Mask Deep Conditioner on human hair extensions. The results offer instant conditioning, help to eliminate frizz and contain Biotin protein with Caster oil to moisturize the strands properly.
Rinsing
The rinsing must take place in cold water. Apart from improving the strength and shine of the extension, a smoother scalp exists in the presence of cold water. Above all, a cold-water rinse seals the cuticle – the outermost layers that protect the extension from external factors. Each weft should be rinsed kindly, and the availability of distilled water adds a cherry on top.
Air-Drying
Continue with the air-drying process after conditioning. The durability of the hair extension is significantly impacted by keeping the wefts moist. Air drying must be done during the day naturally; electric appliances should not be used. The wefts must be laid out on a microfiber cloth to remove extra oil. Let them be rested, and the fresh, natural air will do the job.
Blow-Drying
Blow-drying holds significance for the extensions. A heat-protectant spray must be applied at the start for protection against the dryer’s heat. Creating different sections and blow-drying to that seem compelling in less time. Blow-drying must be carried out by an electric appliance in a downward position, with a gentle pace. Thus, the roots of the wefts are dried, and a new-like extension is just a step away.
Combing
Combing is the last step to be undertaken. After drying, it is vital to comb each weft and make a bundle out of it for preservation. Thus, with the hair extension safely kept in the closet, the answer to the question, ‘’How to Wash Extensions for the First time’’ has been given a detailed explanation.
What product to use & what to avoid
Hair extension demands extra care and putting on every product without knowing the benefits or harms can significantly disturb the life of your extension.
But don’t worry! I am here to help you with the dos and don’ts of hair extensions. Let’s get started!
Never put oil on the weft bonds
Hair oil is essential for maintaining strength and helps add shine to the dried tresses but never put in on the roots or the weft bond of your extension, or you will end up damaging the adhesive.
Use a clarifying shampoo
Washing the hair extension for the first time can be difficult due to a long list of steps. After getting your shampoo done, if you still feel some residue, go for a clarifying shampoo to instantly take measures to avoid buildup – another step to add to your routine to make the extensions last longer.
You must test Olaplex bond maintenance clarifying shampoo to remove the damaging impurities from your strands.
Do not put on tight hair accessories
Using rubber bands or other tight accessories on the extension reduces their life span by snagging the wefts, making it more vulnerable to getting tangled and damaged.
Use a heat protectant
Before exposing the extensions to heat styling, a heat protectant is recommended to protect the wefts from getting weak and damaged.
Frequent heat styling is also not favorable, and the temperature of the heating tools must be maintained below 350 to protect the color of the wefts and make the extensions long-lasting.
I suggest you try L’Oréal Heat Protectant Spray. The reason behind the suggestion is that its lightweight formula does not weigh the hairs down and also blocks the unwanted humidity from the atmosphere to calm frizz and flyaways.
Takeaways
Taking care of hair extensions plays an essential role in beauty portrayal. If you are an active product user, cleaning according to the methodology every week is a must. If used the right way, organic products act as a boon to the overall health of the extension, creating a win-win situation.
These tips are good to rock and roll if you’re washing hair extensions for the first time.
📌 Recommended Guide: Difference between weave and extensions (Guide)
FAQs:
What do I have to do before stepping into the shower?
Brushing the hair ensures the removal of any sort of tangles, and applying a deep conditioning mask on the hair extension before stepping into the shower, would be your best bet.
What happens if you don’t wash extensions?
Leaving a hair extension unwashed may result in a stringy appearance, loss of texture, and a foul smell. If left untreated for a long time, the loss of quality is rife. This puts the person at a disadvantage.
Do extensions fluff up when you wash them?
Fluffing up refers to blowing up. After every wash, the cuticles fluff up hair extensions, making them look thicker – the molecules spread apart, and the extension volume gradually increases.
How do I keep my extensions soft and silky?
Softness and silkiness set the tone for the personality, and women should utilize a conditioning mask, coupled with a heat-protective spray, to experience softness and silkiness in the hair extension.
Why are my extensions going frizzy?
Because the scalp isn’t producing oil (sebum), the extension goes frizzy. This is due to the dryness. This accumulation of dryness could be due to external factors or the build quality of the hair extension. Either way, intense dryness can be appalling to the human eye, and good-quality products must be in the surroundings to rescue.
How long should you wait before washing extensions?
Different types of hair extensions need to be dealt with distinctly. However, waiting for at least 24 hours is recommended before heading on with the wash. This ensures maximum absorption of the mask by the hair extension. Anything above the stipulated time would indicate a positive sign.
Sheen is a fashion artist with more interest in Hair Care and Styling with a grasp on all hairstyles. As the content manager for HairUndeniable.com, she manages and suggests new content ideas; and of course, she is the one who shares a lot of thoughts on the blog.
