Maintaining your Extensions
* Be sure to brush your extensions with a tangle teaser, flat bristle brush, wide tooth comb or a looper brush (not the brushes with the bobbles/balls on the ends, they will cause breakage and snagging).
* Use serum (pump bottle or spray mist) at least once daily, on the extensions, from mid-lengths to ends.
Please DO NOT apply to the roots where the extensions are attached, this may cause them to slip.
* Aim to wash the extensions no more than twice a week, (you can still wash the top half of your hair).
* When washing your hair extensions do not allow any conditioner to go near the attachment (whether it be tape, links, rings etc), this may cause them to slide out. So when you wash it, don’t put conditioner on your roots, just the mid-length to ends. Don’t scrub too harshly when shampooing, be gentle and kind to your new hair! Work your way gently around the extensions and try to get in between, there is no need to scrub aggressively. We must remember they are attached to our hair, and how we treat them affects their life span.
* Brush the extensions from the bottom of the hair and work your way upwards, do not pull or tug on them unnecessarily.
* Try to avoid fiddling with the links/knots.
*There is no need to brush the links/knots, brush the rest of the hair
* Over straightening/curling/blow drying will decrease the life of your hair extensions, the more you look after them, the longer they will last.
* And finally…When possible, after washing your extensions, try to allow them to dry naturally, and then style once completely dry (this is not a must, but it helps to keep them in good condition). Apply plenty of serum & whenever possible use a hair mask and leave it on the extensions. Remember the extensions are not receiving the natural oils that our scalp produces and needs and so we must add the moisture by hand!
Need to know Facts!...
* Since hair extensions are not attached to your scalp, they don’t get the same nourishment as your natural hair, you need to keep them hydrated and conditioned well. Sulfate free products are a gentler cleanser on the hair, therefore allowing the life of your extensions last longer. Sulfates are a very strong, drying substance, so should be avoided especially when wearing hair extensions.
* Silicones coat the hair shaft that then builds up on the hair over time and seals out moisture that is needed to keep the hair in good condition. To check whether the products you use contain silicone, look out for long words ending in ‘cone’ within the description of the products ingredients.
* NAK is a very good brand for extensions, here is a link to a bargain I have discovered on ebay:
(this is the cheapest price I have found on the net to date, and value for money)
Common Questions Answered
Swimming with extensions?
You can swim with extensions, but try and avoid prolonged exposure of your hair extensions to chlorine. Whenever possible, we recommend you protect your hair with a swimming cap. If you are in a chlorinated pool or the ocean and your hair comes in contact with the water, shampoo and perform your regular hair care maintenance routine as soon as possible. Always avoid allowing chemicals to remain in your hair for any length of time.
Can I use the Sauna?
Be extra careful when visiting a sauna. A sauna is a place to relax with a lot of water, heat and salt. Salt dries the hair out. In combination with water and heat it can lead to extreme tangling. If you do visit a sauna, braid your hair prior and rinse immediately after.
Sleeping with extensions
When sleeping in your extensions, tie your hair into a bun, loose ponytail or braid in order to prevent tangling. Never sleep with wet or damp hair. Brush your hair before bed using a hairbrush made specifically for extensions. The flat bristle brush does not pull, so your extensions will stay in longer. If your hair is slightly matted in the morning, gently brush at the ends of your hair, and then move up towards the scalp until it is untangled.
Never sleep with wet hair extensions or bonds! Always make sure your root area is completely dry, otherwise matting can occur.
The Removal Process
The average person looses anywhere between 150-250 hairs per day. Keep in mind that when your extensions are removed, the hair that would have typically shed is secured within the knot/link/bond when applied, so the hair would not have been able to shed naturally. So basically it may seem like you are loosing more hair when they are taken out but really it is the hair that you would have shed naturally anyway.
Please note:
It is your responsibility to care for your extensions, once they have been applied MMA has no control over how they are treated and so will not take any responsibility for the condition one they have been applied, as mentioned in the client consultation form agreement.
On a lighter note please enjoy your new hair and look after it!
do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about your extensions.
I look forward to seeing you at your next appointment you goddess!