Hair Extension Aftercare Guide

Washing Your Hair Extensions

Correct washing is one of the most important parts of hair extension aftercare. Avoid unnecessary frequent washing and always handle the hair gently when wet.

After professionally fitted extensions have been installed, follow your stylist's instructions about how long to wait before the first wash.

How to Wash Hair Extensions

• Gently brush and detangle the hair before washing.
• Wash your hair with your head upright, ideally in the shower.
• Use lukewarm rather than excessively hot water.
• Massage shampoo gently into the scalp using your fingertips.
• Avoid rubbing, twisting or scrubbing the extensions together.
• Allow the shampoo to rinse naturally through the lengths.
• Apply conditioner mainly through the mid-lengths and ends.
• Keep conditioner and oily products away from bonds, tapes and attachment points.
• Rinse thoroughly to ensure no product residue remains in the hair.
• Gently squeeze or pat excess water from the hair rather than rubbing it with a towel.

Drying Your Hair Extensions

Hair is more vulnerable when wet, so handle your extensions carefully after washing. Avoid aggressive towel drying, pulling or tugging.

• Gently blot or squeeze excess moisture using a towel.
• Do not rub the hair backwards and forwards with a towel.
• Support fitted extensions close to the attachment points when detangling.
• Start detangling at the ends and gradually work upwards.
• Make sure bonds, tapes and attachment areas are completely dry.
• If using a hairdryer, use controlled heat and avoid concentrating high heat directly onto attachment points.
• Use a suitable heat protection product before blow-drying or heat styling.

Brushing & Detangling Hair Extensions

Regular gentle brushing helps prevent knots and tangles. Because fitted extensions are attached to your natural hair, pulling aggressively can place unnecessary tension on both the extensions and your own hair.

• Use a brush or comb suitable for hair extensions.
• Separate the hair into manageable sections.
• Hold or support the hair near the attachment area.
• Begin at the ends and gently work upwards.
• Never pull or force a brush through a knot.
• Pay particular attention to preventing tangles around the root and attachment areas.
• Avoid excessive brushing, which can encourage unnecessary shedding.

Sleeping With Hair Extensions

A little preparation before bed can help reduce friction, knots and tangling overnight.

• Make sure your fitted extensions are completely dry before going to bed.
• Gently brush through the hair before sleeping.
• Wear the hair in a loose plait or low ponytail.
• Avoid tight hairstyles that place unnecessary tension on attachment points.
• Never sleep with freshly washed extensions while they are still damp.

Heat Styling Your Hair Extensions

Straighteners, curling tools and hairdryers can be used carefully on human hair extensions, but excessive heat can contribute to dryness and may shorten the usable life of the hair.

• Always apply a suitable heat protection product first.
• Use the lowest effective temperature for your desired style.
• Avoid repeatedly passing hot tools over the same section.
• Keep straighteners and curling tools away from bonds, tapes and attachment points.
• Avoid directing concentrated high heat from a hairdryer onto attachment areas.
• Give the hair regular breaks from heat styling wherever possible.

Hair Extension Products, Conditioners & Oils

We recommend using products that are suitable for human hair extensions. Extension-specific aftercare can help maintain softness, smoothness and manageability while avoiding unnecessary build-up around fitted attachment areas.

Oils and conditioning treatments can be useful on the lengths and ends of extension hair, but they should be kept away from fitted attachment points unless the product and fitting method specifically state otherwise.

Colouring, Bleaching & Toning Hair Extensions

Our recommendation is to choose the correct extension shade before fitting rather than relying on chemical processing afterwards.

We strongly advise against bleaching, lightening, colouring, toning or using colour-altering shampoos on our hair extensions. Extension hair may already have undergone processing to achieve its finished shade, particularly lighter colours, and further chemical treatment can affect the colour, condition, texture and lifespan of the hair.

Exercise, Swimming & Holidays

Exercise itself is not a problem for most fitted extensions, but sweat, moisture, heat, chlorine and salt water mean a little extra care is required.

Exercise

• Wear longer extensions in a secure but comfortable style while exercising.
• Avoid very tight hairstyles that pull on attachment points.
• If the scalp or bonds become damp from sweat, allow them to dry thoroughly afterwards.
• Avoid leaving fitted attachment areas damp for long periods.

Swimming

We recommend keeping hair extensions out of swimming pool and sea water wherever possible. Chlorine, pool chemicals and salt water can affect the hair and may contribute to dryness, tangling, matting or colour changes.

They may also affect some types of fitted attachment systems.

• Keep your head above water wherever possible.
• Avoid diving or prolonged underwater swimming while wearing fitted extensions.
• A swimming cap can provide additional protection.
• If your extensions become wet, rinse them with fresh water as soon as practical.
• Gently detangle and dry the hair and attachment areas thoroughly.
• Never go to sleep while the hair remains wet or damp.

Saunas, Steam Rooms & Sunbeds

Excessive heat and prolonged moisture can affect both the condition of extension hair and some attachment methods. Keep sessions sensible and make sure fitted attachment areas are completely dry afterwards.

Hair Extension Maintenance & Shedding

Some natural hair shedding is completely normal. When extensions are fitted, naturally shed hairs may remain held within the attachment area until your extensions are maintained or removed.

Regular maintenance is important because your natural hair continues to grow, causing fitted extensions to move further away from the scalp over time.

• Follow the maintenance schedule recommended for your fitting method.
• Keep attachment areas separated and free from tangles.
• Do not pull, twist or pick at bonds, tapes or rings.
• Have professionally fitted extensions maintained and removed correctly.
• Seek advice from your stylist if you notice persistent matting, excessive slippage or unusual tension.

Caring for Blonde & Lighter Hair Extension Shades

Lighter shades generally require particularly gentle aftercare because more processing may be required during manufacture to achieve very light colours.

• Keep heat styling to a sensible minimum.
• Always use suitable heat protection.
• Condition the mid-lengths and ends regularly using extension-friendly products.
• Avoid bleaching, lightening or further chemical processing.
• Avoid silver, purple or toning shampoos unless a specific product is confirmed as suitable for your extensions.
• Take extra care around chlorine, salt water and prolonged sun exposure.