Hair Extension After-Care
After Care for your Hair Extensions Brushing, Shampoo and Conditioner, Drying and Hot Tools, Swimming, and Sleeping
Using the right products is highly recommended, if you do not it will eventually damage your hair and the extension hair.
To ensure k-tip bonds/tapes-ins, or wefts don’t get affected and to keep your hair extensions nourished I recommend using clean products.
Some clean brands are Pureology, Framesi, Kevin Murphy, Leaf & Flower, Olaplex, K-18 (Current Favorite: Framesi Color Lover sulfate -free Moisture Rich shampoo and masque, because it is cost effective and does the job. Luxurious Favorite: Leaf & Flower instant damage correction shampoo and conditioner ) There are so many options, when buying products just CHECK the ingredients.
Products that should not be in your Hair Care products (Shampoo, Conditioner, Leave-in, Mask, etc.)
“Sulfates.”
This is a chemical detergent, which is what makes your shampoo suds and foam. Once rinsed, the sulfates strip your hair and scalp of their natural oils, moisturizers, and color, leaving your hair with dryness, flaking, and irritation behind. The main concern for sulfates, however, is their potential to form carcinogens that can ultimately lead to kidney damage and hormone disruption. The next time you shop, look on the label for Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)—these are the main sulfates to avoid.
“Parabens”
Parabens are a popular and harmful additive. These can be found in many name-brand shampoos and conditioners and mainly act as a preservative to prolong shelf life. You can also find them labeled as xenoestrogens, parabens can disrupt your natural hormone balance, cause skin irritation, affect reproductive health, and cause neurotoxicity. Unfortunately, you won’t see an ingredients list that lists the word “parabens” on it. Instead, you’ll need to look out for words ending with “paraben”—for example, butylparaben, ethylparaben, and methylparaben.
“Cocamidopropyl Betaine”
A mixture of an organic compound derived from coconut oil and another chemical compound called dimethylaminopropylamine. The main danger to Cocamidopropyl betaine or CAPB is it potential to become an irritant to our skin and eye.
“Polyethylene Glycols”
Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a thickening agent, often made from petroleum and a list of byproducts known for stripping the hair of moisture and causing breakage. PEG has been labeled as a developmental toxicant; this means it can damage or disrupt human development. It has also been linked to numerous types of cancer.
“Triclosan”
Triclosan is an antibacterial agent. It has been banned from being used in antibacterial soaps, but this carcinogen can still be found in shampoos, deodorants, toothpaste, and more. The ingredient shows signs of being an endocrine disruptor, which can have the same damaging effects as the aforementioned xenoestrogens. The chemical can lead to infertility, fetal harm, immune system issues, weight loss or gain, depression, uncontrolled cellular reproduction, and cancer.
“Formaldehyde”
Formaldehyde is a well-known carcinogen, yet it can be found in so many shampoos and conditioners. This dangerous preservative can be absorbed through your scalp as well as seep from the packaging and into the air over time. This additive can cause toxicity, affect or cause asthma, and has been linked to cancer. When checking the label on your product, look for quaternium-15.
“Synthetic Fragrances and Colors”
Fragrances and colors are terrible in every way. Not only are these components unnecessary, but they are also harmful to your skin and can cause several health issues. The word “fragrance” is a loophole manufacturers' use to avoid listing chemicals and whatever else was used to create the fragrance. Ultimately, there’s no way of knowing what all you’re getting in the product. The danger is that most of the chemicals used to create fragrances can lead to infertility, irritation, hair loss, asthma, and cancer. Synthetic colors are also a danger when found in your shampoo and conditioner. Color is derived from petroleum and coal-tar. These two things are known to cause a range of health issues. When checking the label, look for the terms FD&C or D&C combined with a number.
“Dimethicone”
Dimethicone is a form of silicone with two attached methyl groups that gives your hair a soft and smooth feel. However, this ingredient will only dry out your hair in the long run, cause build-up at your roots, and irritate or burn your scalp. The build-up on your scalp will block out moisture, stop the nutrient flow to your hair, and create an abundance of residue and dirt that can clog your pores. Look out for, amino bispropyl dimethicone, aminopropyl dimethicone, amodimethicone, amodimethicone hydroxystearate, behenoxy dimethicone, C24-28 alkyl dimethicone, C30-45 alkyl dimethicone, C30-45 alkyl methicone, cetearyl methicone, cetyl dimethicone, cyclomethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, dimethicone, dimethicone copolyol, dimethiconol, dimethoxysilyl ethylnediaminopropyl dimethicone, hexyl mehicone, hydroxypropldimethicone, and the list goes on.
It’s pretty safe to say that almost any word you see ending in “cone” in natural hair products is a silicone. So this one is no different.
“Retinyl Palmitate”
Retinyl palmitate is known to cause a list of skin issues, including peeling, scaling, itching, burning, and redness. This harmful ingredient has also been linked to cancer, reproductive problems, and toxicity.
To guide you, here is a list of the ingredients that are plant based and biodegradable.*
Sodium Coco-sulfate: a surfactant derived from coconut oil with excellent cleaning power and known to give shampoo its consistency.
Coco-glucoside: a vegetal foaming agent (surfactant) derived from coconut oil, combined with glucoses (sugars). This ingredient cleanses and smoothes the hair fibers.
Decyl-glucoside: a surfactant made with glucoses and is derived from cornstarch and coconut oil.
Lauryl glucoside: a surfactant of plant origin and adapted to formulas for sensitive skin.
Sodium cocoyl isethionate: a surfactant derived from coconut oil.
Sodium cocoamphoacetate: a gentle surfactant derived from coconut oil with great foaming power.
Vegetal glycerin: obtained from rapeseed or coconut oils. It is a moisturizing ingredient for skin and hair.
Sodium citrate: Sodium salt of citric acid, vegetable origin used as a sequestering, emulsifying or stabilizing agent in a formula.
Potassium sorbate: the Potassium Salt of Sorbic Acid is a natural fatty acid extracted from the berries of the mountain ash, it is used as an antimicrobial preservative.
Stearyl citrate: vegetable origin and consisting of Stearyl alcohol and Citric acid is an emollient that softens and moisturizes the skin or hair.
Glyceryl oleate: vegetable origin, it is an emollient that softens, moisturizes the skin or hair.
Butyrospermum parkii butter: extracted from the kernels of Shea fruit, it is an emollient that softens and moisturizes the skin or the hair.
Clays: mineral substances that come from volcanic ashes. In shampoos, we prefer to use red, yellow ochre, yellow illite, pink and blue clays, because these are the ones that naturally increase volume, moisturize, nourish, and detoxify the hair.
* The ingredients listed above are examples of clean ingredients, but it is important to note that as a stand-alone ingredient, they can be irritating. The secret is always in the right formulation!
It is highly recommended, almost a must that you use recommended hair brushes and products. Otherwise, the extensions will begin to have issues.
Hair extensions must be brushed regularly, in the morning, mid-day, and before bed. Do not brush your hair extensions when they are wet, always blow dry the roots first hold your extensions and start brushing gently from the ends and work your way up. When it is wet it can cause more knots and tangles, in essence fall-out, shedding, or matting. Brush 3 times a day minimum.
Always dry your hair after washing. It is NOT recommended to go to bed with wet or damp hair, if you must or you're too tired at night. At the bare minimum you must blow dry your root area where the extensions are attached.
At night hair, its best if you keep your hair in a loose braid or tighten your hair in a loose low ponytail. Braids or twists are best.
Use a leave in conditioner or serum on the ends of your extensions but do not put oils or treatments directly on the roots of your hair where hair extensions are attached, oils and treatments should only be used on the mid lengths and the ends. If you want to apply a mask or oil to your natural hair, section that area off apply the product and then rinse away from where the extensions are attached.
Avoid putting heat styling tools such as straightening irons or wand directly on the bonds or where hair extensions are attached (Blow drying is fine, just don't keep the nozzle in one place for a long). Always use a low setting on heat styling tools, 250-350 degrees Fahrenheit and make sure to use heat/UV protecting spray.
Regular maintenance in the salon is required to ensure your hair extensions always stay intact. Everyone's hair grows at a different rate so it is hard to guesstimate but on average for Tape ins it is recommended to re-install and apply in 8 weeks, Wefts 6-8 weeks, and k-tips (keratin tips, fusion) 4-6 months.
Always wash and dry your hair after swimming.
Enjoy your long thick hair, feel sexy!
