Do you love using hair extensions? They are great but if you are using hair extensions every day then you should know how to take care of your natural hair so that they stay healthy and happy too.
Hair extensions provide a protective layer for your natural hair but extended use can also make it difficult for your scalp and natural hair to breathe, inducing long-term damage. But there is nothing to worry about, hair extensions are perfectly safe to use, provided you use them correctly and at the same time provide your natural hair some care and love. Let’s learn all about maintaining a healthy scalp and hair while using hair extensions regularly.
Maintaining Scalp And Hair Health
We’ll talk about hair extensions later, first let’s learn the correct way of maintaining your natural hair so that they are healthy to begin with. Having healthy hair will lay a strong foundation for any type of extensions or human hair wigs that you might want to use.
Here are some important tips that’ll help keep your natural hair clean and healthy.
Tip 1: Keep your hair and scalp clean
Cleaning your hair is not just about them looking good, or just feeling soft, it is important for your overall hair health also. It gets as basic as washing your hands! If you don’t keep your hands clean they might build up germs and dirt which can lead to diseases and discomfort.
The same goes for your hair and scalp as well - if you do not wash and clean your hair regularly, it can result in oil, dirt, and germs build-up which can also cause skin concerns and might trigger problems such as hair fall and hair thinning in the long run.
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Oil Control
Our scalp naturally produces oil which is medically known as sebum, to keep the hair moisturized. But excess of oil can make your hair look greasy, oily and weighted.
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Dirt and Pollution
Just like your skin, your hair is exposed to environmental factors such as pollution and dust, which can settle on your scalp and hair making them dirty.
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Product Buildup
Styling products like gels, serums, and sprays can leave residues that accumulate over time, leading to lackluster hair.
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Healthy Hair Growth
A clean scalp provides a conducive environment for healthy hair growth. When hair follicles are clean and unclogged, they can produce stronger, thicker strands.
Correct Cleaning Process
Follow the steps below to ensure that you’re cleaning your hair correctly.
Step 1: Get the Right Shampoo
Take a shampoo that suits your hair type – whether it's oily, dry, or somewhere in between. Look for labels that mention "oily” “Dry” etc on the packaging and pick a shampoo that is good for your hair texture and type.
Step 2: Wet Your Hair
Thoroughly wet your hair with lukewarm water. Hot water can strip your hair of essential oils, while cold water might not effectively remove dirt and oil.
Step 3: Apply Shampoo
Take a little bit of shampoo on your palm and gently rub your hands together to create a lather, then apply it to your scalp evenly.
Step 4: Massage Your Scalp
Use your fingertips, not your nails, to massage your scalp in circular motions. This helps to dislodge dirt, oil, and product buildup.
Step 5: Rinse Thoroughly
Rinse your hair and scalp thoroughly with water until all the shampoo is washed out. Make sure no residue is left behind.
Step 6: Condition
Apply conditioner to the lengths and ends of your hair, avoiding the scalp. This helps to keep your hair moisturized without making your scalp oily.
Step 7: Rinse Again
After letting the conditioner sit for a few minutes, rinse your hair thoroughly once more to ensure no residue remains.
Step 8: Towel Dry Gently
After washing, gently pat your hair with a soft towel to remove excess water. Avoid rubbing vigorously, as wet hair is more delicate and prone to damage.
Wash Frequency
If you have very oily hair, you should wash them daily or alternate days depending on how much oil buildup is there. However, if you do not have too much buildup of oil then a 2-3 day wash cycle should be fine to keep your hair moisturized, clean and healthy.
Want to know how to keep your hair extensions clean? Watch this video for all the deets.
Tip 2: Select The Right Hair Extensions
The next important thing to consider is the type of hair extensions that you are using. Human hair extensions are superior in quality as compared to synthetic hair extensions and extensions from good and premium brands are thoughtfully made in a way that they will not damage your hair or feel uncomfortable on your scalp.
While you might argue that human hair extensions are a little pricey as compared to the cheaper synthetic alternatives but then again, the synthetic hair extensions do not look and feel as natural as human hair extensions.
Apart from the material they’re made of, there are different types of extensions based on the application method such as clip-in extensions, tape-in extensions etc. Let’s see
Whether you are new to hair extensions or have been using them for a long time, we think clip-in hair extensions are simply superior because they are really really easy to use. Let’s learn a little more about clip-in hair extensions.
Tip 3: Use Clip-in Hair Extensions
These are one of the most popular type of hair extensions as they are very user friendly. They come with small clips (like tick tock) at the base of the extensions. Depending on how wide or heavy the extensions are, the number of clips increases.
Clip-in hair extensions are a quick and safe way to transform your look and style, they come in different shades and you can easily change your look without damaging your natural hair. Use the right process to attach and remove the hair extensions to ensure that your natural hair are not damaged.
Follow the steps mentioned below:
Attaching Clip-In Hair Extensions
Step 1: Prep Your Hair
Start with clean, dry hair. Brush it out to remove any knots or tangles.
Step 2: Section It Off
Divide your hair into sections. Clip the top layers up and leave a bottom section loose.
Step 3: Open the Clips
Open the clips on your extensions. Hold them with the teeth facing you.
Step 4: Secure the First Weft
Place the opened clip close to your roots on the bottom section. Snap it shut, making sure it's secure.
Step 5: Blend and Repeat
Release a new section of hair and let it fall over the clipped weft. Attach another extension weft in the same way, moving up your head.
Step 6: Layering
Continue this process, working your way up. Attach smaller wefts near the sides for a natural look.
Step 7: Check and Adjust
Once all wefts are in place, run your fingers through your hair to blend the extensions. Check for any visible clips and adjust if needed.
How to Removing Clip-In Hair Extensions
Step 1: Find the Clips
Locate the clips on the wefts. Gently press the centers of the clips to release them.
Step 2: Support the Hair
Hold the weft with one hand while you release the clip with the other. This helps prevent tugging on your natural hair.
Step 3: Unsnap and Slide
Unsnap the clip and slide it out from under your hair. Be gentle to avoid tangling.
Step 4: Repeat the Process
Remove each weft one by one, working from the top down.
Step 5: Brush It Out
Once all the extensions are out, give your hair a good brush to remove any tangles.
Step 6: Wash and Store
If needed, wash your extensions gently with a mild shampoo and conditioner. Let them air dry completely before storing.
Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you attach and remove your clip-in hair extensions, the more comfortable and efficient you'll become.
Tip 4: Safe Styling
The next important thing to keep in mind is hair styling! We all love a cute hairstyle and hair extensions help expand the hair styling possibilities further. But regular hair styling and use of heating tools and other hair styling products like gels, hair wax etc can cause damage to your natural hair as well as your hair extensions. Hence it is important to keep a few things in mind while styling your hair.
Precaution 1: Be Gentle on the Tangles
When styling your hair with extensions, start from the ends and work your way up to avoid tangles. Be kind to your hair to keep it happy and healthy.
Precaution 2: Never Skip Heat Protector
Before using heating tools like curling irons or straighteners, apply a heat protectant to shield both your natural hair and extensions. Think of it as a shield between your hair and the heating tool, it can make a huge difference.
Precaution 3: Embrace Braiding
If you're braiding your hair, make sure not to braid too tightly. Gentle braids are like a cozy hug for your hair, keeping it safe and sound. They help prevent tangles, do not require any tools or products and look just as cute.
Precaution 4: Loose and Lovely Updos
When creating updos, go for loose styles that won't pull on your hair and extensions. Loose updos are again a very cute and safe way to style your hair. They do not damage your extensions or your natural hair.
Precaution 5: Night time Care
Before bed, loosely braid your hair or tie it in a low ponytail to prevent tangling while you snooze. Your hair deserves a peaceful night, just like you do.
Conclusion
Hair care is no rocket science! It is actually pretty simple - a little care every day goes a long way. The trick is to inculcate healthy hair habits and they will keep your hair and hair extensions looking great for a long time. Plus a healthy hair routine does not require you to go the extra mile, it is small habits like regular cleaning, conditioning etc that add great value in the long term.
So make your own hair care routine based on the time you have plus your lifestyle and follow it religiously. Just like you care for your skin, make it a point to never skip your hair care routine. These habits will be very rewarding for your hair and with healthy hair, you might actually not need much styling ever.
So, be mindful, adopt good hair habits and enjoy healthy and happy hair always.
FAQs
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How do I keep my hair healthy with extensions?
Hair extensions will not damage or harm your hair if you’re using them the right way. Learn how to properly attach and remove your hair extensions and do it gently, without pulling your natural hair.
Also, always remember to give your natural hair some time to breathe. If you’re using hair extensions daily, remove them at the end of the day and treat your natural hair well.
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Can your hair grow under extensions?
Yes, using hair extensions does not interfere with your natural hair growth cycle. In fact, hair extensions provide an added layer of security to shield your natural hair from environmental factors like pollution and humidity. Even if you’re using hair extensions every day, your natural hair will continue to grow at its natural pace.
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Why is my hair so thin after extensions?
Using hair extensions should not harm your hair or make it thin. Either you’re being harsh with the extensions, pulling at your natural hair and causing damage or there might be some other reason for your hair fall. We suggest, it is best to seek medical advice if you’re experiencing major hair thinning.
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Can you wash your hair like normal with extensions?
We suggest, if you want to was your natural hair and your extensions, do it separately. Take off your hair extensions and wash them with a mild shampoo and conditioner and then leave them to air dry like your natural hair. Then was your hair like you normally do.
Having your hair extensions on while washing can cause tangles and damage hence it is best to was your hair and your hair extensions separately.
