Your hair is your pride and joy and an integral part of your personality. You care for it and always want it to look fabulous. Now that you have taken the initiative to add hair extensions, you want them to look their best for the longest time. Take a look at some steps you can take to keep your new mane looking amazing because you know that without proper care, it will look dull and matted and may even cause damage to your natural hair.
Replace Extensions Regularly
No matter how much loving care you give your extensions, there comes a time when the only way for them to look their best is to replace them. Extensions that have overstayed their welcome will harm your looks, making it difficult for you to style your hair and obtain the results you expect.
Replace your extensions every 6 to 8 weeks, depending on the speed with which your hair grows and the type of extensions you have. By keeping to a regular schedule, you avoid tangling and matting and can have the hair you love.
Are There Any Extensions That Can Last Longer?
When you go for strand-by-strand extensions, you can make them last for up to 6 months. However, this does not mean that they will look their best if you do not give them the proper care and maintenance by your stylist. Book monthly appointments to be sure they will last their longest.
If you have microlinks, avoid leaving them too long since the beads can become distorted and rip out strands of your hair. If you have clip-in extensions, remember to wash and condition them frequently to keep their look and shine. You may also want to spray them with a leave-in conditioner and keep them stored in a silky or satiny bag.
Make Sure Extensions Are Installed Correctly
The first step in making extensions last as long as they are designed to be to make sure they are installed properly. Go to a stylist who has the training and experience to put in extensions the right way. When you get poorly installed extensions, you will soon notice that your natural hair is damaged and harder to style.
Keep Your Hair Clean
You may think that getting your extensions wet too often will shorten their life. However, the opposite is true. Extensions sit on your scalp and if that is not clean, it will affect the way they are held. Do not go overboard with washing because you do not want to loosen the extensions or have them fall off. Talk to your stylist who knows your natural hair and the way the extensions have been installed and get the appropriate recommendation on the best way to keep both your natural hair and your extensions clean. They may recommend that you stay away from conditioners or that you only condition the ends of your hair and extensions to prevent the roots from sliding down.
