We’ve all seen the horror stories - one wrong move and sudden, irreparable damage done to someone’s hair extensions, with no chance of return.
The products used on hair extensions make or break the entire experience, affecting everything from their texture and color, to the length of time they last. Luckily, this guide will break it all down for you, and leave you not only capable of caring for your hair extensions, but keeping them looking salon fresh for as long as possible!
What Ingredients to Avoid with Hair Extensions
It’s absolutely vital that you use professional products with a hydrating focus exclusively on your hair extensions, and avoid sulfates and parabens at all costs. Both sulfates and parabens strip extensions of their moisture (causing frizzing, tangling, and matting), create premature wear, and can fade color over time - a disaster we’d all like to avoid.
While sulfates and parabens are the two most likely culprits, other ingredients cause great harm as well. Phthalates, non water based silicones, sodium chloride (salts), drying alcohols (propyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, isopropanol alcohol), and high fragrance content leave hair dry and frizzy.
While there’s nothing quite like tan skin and a day in the sun, extreme care must be taken to avoid sunscreens and self tanners containing Avobenzone, Octinoxate, Octocrylene, Oxybenzone, Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) or Erythrulose, as these react with the minerals in water and/or UV exposure to cause an orange, pink, or peach tint, especially on blonde extensions.
Protein and keratin treatments are also a tricky ingredient. While occasional use (1-2 times a month) can be beneficial to the strength of your hair, using too often can easily weigh down strands, and lead to severe breakage over time.
What Products are Safe for your Hair Extensions
As before mentioned, hydrating shampoos and conditioners free from sulfates and parabens preserves the quality of your hair extensions (and natural hair too). We recommend shampooing hair twice, taking extra care to gently scrub in between rows of extensions and in any areas where product buildup occurs.
Exfoliating your scalp greatly improves your hair health, as it removes the excess dead skin, product buildup, and impurities preventing oxygenation of the scalp, and the physical stimulation improves scalp circulation, boosting hair growth in the process. LHC’s Scalp Exfoliating Shampoo was formulated specifically for hair extension wearers, with refreshing peppermint and quartz beads to gently scrub away any impurities weighing down strands and preventing growth. We specifically recommend this for your first cleanse, followed up by your favorite hydrating shampoo for your second.
When applying conditioner, take extra care to avoid applying any on your roots and the top of your extensions, as this leads to slipping. Deeply conditioning your hair extensions with a masque each wash prolongs their longevity, and keeps them looking shiny and silky smooth. LHC’s Conditioning Masque features a velvety texture, and luxurious scent that brings that spa feeling straight to your shower. For best results, allow to sit 5-10 minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water.
After gently squeezing excess water from your hair post wash, a moisturizing leave-in conditioner, ideally with a heat protectant, aids in creating a gentler detangling experience. It’s also very important to use a wide tooth comb or extension safe brush throughout this process to prevent unnecessary tension on your strands.
Gently blow drying hair extensions in sections speeds the process, and sealing with your favorite hydrating hair oil leaves hair extensions shiny and delightfully scented. Ideally, a hydrating oil should be applied twice a day while brushing. Hair extensions need extra assistance when it comes to moisture, as they are no longer receiving the nutrients your natural strands do from your scalp. Applying LHC’s Hydrating Oil daily prolongs the life and beauty of hair extensions greatly.
On sunny days, opt for a mineral sunscreen containing titanium dioxide or zinc, like LHC’s, in order to prevent discoloration. This switch is also greatly beneficial to your skin, coral reefs, and ocean life - truly a win-win situation.
While extension care may seem complex, once you find truly beneficial hair extension care products, it will become a breeze. Feel free to browse the entire LHC line to create your hair extension regimen, or grab some aftercare cards to give to hair extension clients to encourage proper care of their investment.
Wishing you great hair days!
