Beauty

There is no better way to transform your hair than with the help of extensions! However, while extensions are guaranteed to look stunning the moment you leave the salon where they were applied, keeping them flawless depends on how you care for them in the comfort of your home. It is always very important to ensure you implement a strict aftercare routine, which will help increase the longevity of your extensions. This is vital at any time, but even more so when you cannot attend the scheduled maintenance appointments for your extensions as you had hoped.

So, as the "personal guardian angels" of your hair extensions, we are here to guide you with our professional advice, which will help you care for your extensions at home and keep them in shape! Belher specialists have prepared, especially for you, some essential tips to keep the natural look of your hair extensions for as long as possible! Whether you are new to the world of extensions or part of our "extensions club," it's always worth familiarizing yourself with the best habits to help your strands last longer. So, girls, we have prepared seven top tips for you that we strongly recommend you follow!

1. Wash your extensions properly
   Okay, first of all, let's take a look at the washing routine you practice. While it's true that extensions can be treated the same way you would treat your natural strands, there are a few things you need to keep in mind for your next hair washing session.

Regarding the shampoo and conditioner you use to wash your hair, we always strongly recommend investing in the products your hair extension technician recommends. Each type of hair extension, whether microring extensions that use small copper rings lined with silicone or tape-on extensions, which attach cold with a pre-fixed adhesive strip, comes with different requirements designed to ensure their safety over time.

Also, washing products should include the right ingredients not only to keep your extensions in good condition but also to allow your natural hair to continue growing healthily. This means avoiding products containing ingredients like sulfates and alcohol, known to strip your hair of its natural oils and, in turn, make your extensions more likely to tangle. You can find more information about the shampoo and conditioner you should use on our website. Once you've stocked up on the right products, you'll be free to wash your hair without worrying about how they might react with your extensions.

We recommend, if possible, washing your hair in the shower, letting the water run down through your hair. Although it might be easier to wash just your hair bent over the bathtub or sink for a quick clean, this makes the extensions more prone to tangling, meaning you'll have to spend ages afterwards brushing out the knots. When washing, always make sure to apply shampoo to the roots to remove excess oil and conditioner to the ends to keep them nourished. If you put conditioner anywhere near the roots, you might cause the extensions to start slipping on your hair, which will make them last much less. Also, try to use lukewarm water rather than hot, as this again will strip the natural oils from both your hair and scalp.

Chlorine and saltwater have a negative effect on hair extensions – both cause extreme drying of the hair. Salt will immediately cause the hair to lose moisture, which will reduce the lifespan of the extensions. Before swimming, prepare your hair by rinsing it first with tap water and generously applying a leave-in conditioner from mid-length to ends. Tie your hair into a ponytail and braid it tightly to avoid tangling and excessive swelling. Immediately after swimming, wash and condition your hair.

2. Never sleep with wet extensions
   Now that you're a pro at washing your extensions, it's time to move on to drying. Although it might be tempting to go to bed with slightly damp hair, we can't stress enough the importance of thoroughly drying your strands before sleep. Never sleeping with wet hair is a basic rule when it comes to caring for your extensions. Trust us – we've seen numerous clients return for maintenance appointments with tangled and greasy roots or extensions that simply fell out because they didn't follow this advice.

Your hair is more vulnerable when wet, which means movements and twists during sleep can affect both natural strands and extensions. It also means that when you wake up in the morning, you might have a real bird's nest in your hair, forcing you to spend ages detangling the strands. Even when you carefully remove tangles, you put immense pressure on the extension bonds, pulling on the scalp and weakening them. If you haven't yet invested in a good quality hairdryer, we suggest you check out the accessories section on our site!

3. Always brush extensions gently
   Although we briefly mentioned this in the advice above, we thought it was definitely necessary to include a dedicated section on how to brush extensions. So, just like when you brush your natural hair a bit too hard and see strands starting to fall out, your extensions will begin to come loose if you don't take care!

It is inevitable that extensions will get tangled sometimes, but what matters is how you handle the problem! First of all, you need to invest in a quality brush – we suggest you take a look at the range available on the site (they're practical and cute!). Then, you need to follow a procedure where you start brushing your hair from the ends before moving towards the roots. Place one hand at the base of the extensions, holding them firmly to avoid pulling or yanking them and your scalp. Start brushing the ends of the hair first and slowly move up towards the middle of the strands, then to the roots. This method will cause the least pressure on the hair, extensions, and scalp, keeping them all healthy.

Regarding the number of brushings per day, as long as you are gentle, the more the better! However, if you're looking for a precise recommendation, we'd say always brush first thing in the morning, then again before bed, before washing, and after washing.

4. A weekly conditioning treatment
   Girls, are we right in saying that greasy hair is everyone's biggest problem? But although it can be super frustrating to wake up with greasy roots, it means the hair is being fed a constant amount of natural oils, keeping it nourished even if you have a more relaxed care routine. However, since extensions are just attached near the root, unfortunately, they don't receive any of these natural oils. So, to keep your extensions hydrated, super smooth, and with that gorgeous shine, you should schedule a weekly conditioning treatment.

There are so many different ways to do a deep conditioning treatment on extensions, and as long as you don't apply it near the roots, you can use any products you want. Natural products are always a preferred option because not only are they affordable, but they also guarantee complete hydration. Argan oil, coconut oil, and macadamia oil are all perfect for keeping your hair smooth and shiny. Alternatively, if you want to be more creative and try making your own hair mask, there are hundreds of great recipes you can experiment with.

5. Minimize heat damage
   Just like natural strands, hair extensions get damaged when you apply excessive heat to them. Since all our extensions, whether microring or tape-on, are made using 100% human hair, they can become fragile and develop split ends from too much heat. This means that no matter how many conditioning treatments you apply, once the extensions are damaged, you might have no choice but to replace them!
   Fortunately, there are many ways to minimize heat damage. Here are our top tips:
   Use a heat protectant: before using any heated styling tools, don't forget to apply a protectant. There are hundreds of fantastic products: some are used on damp hair, while others are sprayed right before you start styling.
   Lower the temperature: when using heated tools, try to keep the temperature as low as possible. Of course, a certain level of heat is needed to achieve the perfect hairstyle, so experiment with different settings to see what works best without burning your extensions.
   Take breaks from heat: if you usually straighten your hair every day or curl it with lots of products every weekend, then although it may look great, you are shortening the lifespan of your extensions. So why not take a break from using heat occasionally? Experiment with "cold" curls overnight or try a new hairstyle with cute accessories.
   Avoid tight ponytails or buns when participating in activities that take place in humid conditions, such as workouts or saunas.

5. Avoid tangling your hair while you sleep
   Although there is no way to stop yourself from tossing and turning during the night, there are some handy methods to avoid waking up with a tangled hair nest the next morning. By minimizing tangles, you won't have to put so much pressure on both the roots and the extension bonds while trying to brush them.

One of the best ways to keep your extensions under control overnight is to tie them very loosely before going to bed. If you're looking for a quick and easy solution, you can tie your hair in a low ponytail with a silk elastic or a spiral hair band. Alternatively, although it might take a bit of practice, a loose French braid is another great way to prevent tangled hair and, even better, it will result in beautiful curls. Last but not least, use silky pillowcases with a smooth texture that prevent breakage, tangling, and splitting of both your hair and extensions.

7. Check your extension bonds daily
   Finally, but certainly not least, you need to make sure you take time to check your extensions every day. Although this may seem super boring and time-consuming, it actually only takes a few minutes and, if you do it daily, it will take even less time! You won't need any tools to do this; simply use your fingers to feel each of the bonds and check if any have started to tangle. If they have, carefully try to separate them – sometimes you may need a small brush or comb to do this. By ensuring the extension bonds are always separated, you can prevent them from tangling with loose or shedding hair.

By adding to your routine the steps we've suggested, as well as scheduling regular maintenance appointments, your hair will stay flawless for the coming months!