Do these 5 Things to Maintain your Hair Extensions

Hair extensions are a girl's best friend. They are convenient, easy to wear and come in different colors, lengths and curl pattern. To get the most from your hair extensions, there are certain things you should do to make them last longer.

There are lots of maintenance tips scattered all over the Internet. Some of these tips are good, some are terrible while others are just plain useless. This is why we've listed five tips to guide you in maintaining your extensions properly. These tips are basic and practical and we can assure you they provide great results. You will be glad you followed them. Read on!

1.Braid

Whether your extensions are sewn in, clip- ins or wigs, braid the ends of your weaves before you sleep. You could make big, small, tight or loose plaits depending on the type of curl pattern you wish to create. Braiding your extensions arranges the hair fibers in a compact way, making it hard for heat and moisture to soak into the hair fibers. Braiding also prevents the hair fiber from rubbing against each other and losing moisture. Do these -

• Before braiding your extensions, take time to detangle your hair properly and carefully
• Next, pick sizable wefts of your hair and plait carefully. A pigtail is very easy to make and if you wish to use smaller hair sections, two pigtails is a nice option.
• If your extensions are sewn on your head, using tight plaits can create a lot of tension on your hairline, so you will want to make firm but not too tight plaits
• If the extensions are clip-ins, you can lay them out on your dresser or store in Ziploc bags
• If your extensions are sewn on your head, you can wear a hair net or wrap a silk scarf around your head to retain moisture

2.Detangle 

Detangling is the single most important aspect of your hair extension maintenance routine. How you detangle your hair can make or mar your extensions. Improper detangling can cause frizzy split ends, insufficient detangling can cause knotted ends and the right type and amount of detangling can make your extensions last longer. How you detangle depends on the curl pattern of the hair. Do these -

• Detangle straight hair with a paddle brush. First, run through your hair with your fingers then divide the hair into sections
• Next, use your paddle brush to run through the hair, starting from the ends of the hair and working to the top 
• Curly hair extensions are more delicate to detangle. They are twice as likely to develop split ends if handled improperly
• Never brush curly hair. Brushing damages the hair fibers and curl pattern
• Never detangle curly hair when it's dry. Before detangling your curly hair, you will want to wet it a little with a hair spray or water
• Use a wide-toothed comb to detangle. Start from the ends of the hair and slowly get to the top of the hair. Comb gently and apply more water if needed
• Remember to detangle your hair extensions at least twice a day to prevent knots. Use firm strokes to detangle but don't be too rough
• If you feel some resistance as you run your brush/comb through the hair, gently run through with your fingers to separate the knots

3.Condition

Water-based conditioners are better than oily ones. Oily conditioners accumulate dirt easily and are quick to turn the ends of your extensions into knots. Also, don't go overboard when moisturizing as this too can quickly turn your hair ends into knots. Do these -

• It's advisable to condition your hair extensions on alternate days and remember that good ole water may just be what your hair needs
• A neat trick is to use a hair spritz instead of oily or creamy moisturizers. You can also create your hair spritz
• Fill an old deodorant bottle with water. Add a little hair conditioner into the bottle. Shake well. Voila! It's ready to use
• Since hair spritz is mostly water, they are safe to use every day

4.Wash

Wash all hair extensions with shampoo that is free from sulfate and paraben. These ingredients make your hair dry and fragile. It also gives your hair split ends because of breakage. Do these -

• If your weaves are too knotted, soak them in warm water and conditioner for about an hour 
• If your weaves are straight, you can dip them in boiling water mixed with conditioner and olive oil Cover the top of the bowl with a foil or nylon to keep the steam
• After soaking, detangle the hair with a wide toothed comb Detangle once you remove the hair from soaking
• After detangling, rinse thoroughly with water and allow to air dry.
• If your weaves aren't knotted, you can skip the soaking section and wash with warm water and shampoo
• Wash gently and swish the hair lightly in water
• Never use hot or boiling water for synthetic weaves
• After washing, spread your weaves to air dry 
• Blow drying is not a good choice. Blow drying causes split ends and breakages

5.Store

Store your hair extensions in Ziploc bags to preserve their moisture. You can braid your extensions into pigtails, roll them in rollers or wrap them in bundles. Either way, you choose, make sure your hair is clean and free from dirt, sweat, bond or anything else that can make mold grow on your extensions.

Show your Hair some Love!

So there you have it! Five practical and easy tips for your hair extensions. Remember that these tips are done regularly and not once in a while. Be patient, show your extensions some love and in the end you will be glad you did. Are there other tips you have in mind? Do share with us in the comments section below. We would love to hear from you!