Tape-in hair extensions are a great way to add length, body and volume to your hairstyle with minimal effort and cost. However, many users of hair extensions do not realize that they must adhere to a different hair care regime when wearing extensions.Here’s how to clean your hair with extensions.
We know how exciting it is to walk out of the salon with the look you have always dreamed of. Do not let some small oversights ruin your investment and the look you are striving for.
Washing your Hair With Tape-in Hair Extensions
Many people worry that the tape-in hair extensions they are using will release hold when washing their hair. This is a myth that you should definitely ignore!
Good tape-in hair extensions are made with human hair and require the same amount of care as your real hair does. Because you have added layers to your hair, this means you may actually need to spend more time than you are used to washing your hair.
Make sure you work your shampoo and conditioner into every layer of hair evenly, getting from the roots to the ends. This will remove the normal build-up of oils and grease and prevent your hair from drying out.
Many tape-in hair extension wearers use a leave-in conditioner to ensure that their hair stays silky smooth throughout the day. This is especially important when using human hair extensions or if you are in a particularly dry climate.
Drying Your Hair: Don’t Melt those Tape-in Hair Extensions!
It is vital that you discuss proper drying techniques for hair extensions with your stylist when they are applied. You wouldn’t want your investment to fall out because you didn’t heed their advice.
The best way to dry hair extensions is to let them dry naturally. This isn’t always ideal because of the added time needed to air dry when you have put extra layers of hair on your hair.
Very gently towel dry your hair by patting it with a soft towel after washing. You may want to blow dry your hair, but proceed with caution. Remember, you can only blow dry your hair if you have natural hair extensions. Synthetic extensions will melt when exposed to direct heat from a blow dryer or even a gas heater or open stove.
Many hair extension wearers are used to blow drying their hair upside down. This is risky because the tapes used for hair extensions are meant to hold the weight of the extensions, but when upside down must bear added weight and could unintentionally release from your scalp.
If you exercise regularly, you will need to wash your hair more often when wearing hair extensions. Oils and grease can accumulate on and under the tape, which is just plain gross. While this isn’t ideal, you may have to simply reduce the amount of time spent at the gym or out exercising.
Make Sure You Brush
Your stylist is going to tell you that you must brush your hair extensions twice a day. Do not ignore this advice, you will surely regret it and end up spending more time in a salon chair than you want to.
Brushing your hair extensions is much more than running a detangling comb through your hair. You must carefully and gently brush through every layer of hair from root to tip. This takes time but if you want to look your best, it’s worth it.
Brushing your hair carefully and gently will ensure that you don’t develop any dreadlocks. Your hair may begin to tangle together and adhere if you aren’t careful.
If you don’t brush carefully and gently you may end up pulling out a lot of hair, which can be gross and stress inducing. Talk to your stylist about the best brush technique for your hair and extension type.
Keep Your Hair From Tangling Overnight: Tie it Up
Pulling your hair back into a low ponytail, pigtails, or braids before laying down to sleep is the best, perhaps only, way to prevent your hair from turning into a bird’s nest overnight. Make sure it is loose so that you don’t put unnecessary and potentially damaging stress on the tape of your extensions.
Silk or high thread count pillowcases and sheets will reduce the amount of friction you expose your hair to while in bed. This might seem like overkill, but you invested your hard earned money into your new look and you don’t want to ruin it on the first night!
Don’t Go It Alone: Ask Your Stylist
Tape hair extensions can be tough to deal with, but you should always talk with your stylist if you have any questions or concerns. You can end up spending a lot of money, more than you had anticipated, if you don’t heed your stylist’s advice on how to care for your hair extensions. By using the right tape for hair extensions and following a careful maintenance routine, you will ensure you get the most out of your hard-earned investment in your new look!
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