How To Best Take Care of Hand-Tied Extensions

Whether it’s your first time getting them installed or your 10th... welcome! I hope this is helpful and insightful as you enjoy your beautiful locks!

Fresh Hair, Don’t Care

When you first get your fresh pack, the hair comes with a protective coating—it’s what gives it that softness, shininess, and the “oohh and ahh” feeling. After 4… 5… maybe 6 washes, you’ll experience a bit of a not-as-fresh feeling. DON’T FRET! This doesn’t mean the hair is going bad—it just means proper steps need to happen to maintain your gorgeous locks (and most times, the answer does not have to cost you more $$).

Your natural hair and the extension hair are almost the same, but the biggest difference between the two is that your hair receives nourishment from the sebum (the oils) from your scalp. However, your extensions don’t receive that same nourishment—especially after 5 days from wash day. To maintain nourishment in your extensions, it’s imperative to have proper products and routines to give the same glow from your natural. hair to the extensions.

Let’s Start with Hair Washing

To properly cleanse the scalp, I recommend a minimum of 2 shampoos. Yes—2! And if it’s been a full week, start with a clarifying.

Think of the first shampoo as sweeping the floors. It removes the crud, product, dry shampoo, and hairspray.
Think of the second shampoo as mopping the floors—it removes the grease, grime, oils, and sweat.

I also recommend having a shower head filter and a removable hose—both allow for proper rinsing with clean, filtered water. Over time, you’ll see less buildup, less shedding, and prolonged quality.

Mask, Masque, or Conditioner?

Truth is—they’re all the same! A hair masque is simply a more potent conditioner. For more bang for your buck, invest in a high-quality hair mask (a.k.a. hair masque). In the long run, both your hair and your wallet will thank you.

To help preserve the extensions as long as possible, opt IN for moisturizing and opt OUT for bond-building. This is the best way to keep your shiny, soft hair for as long as possible! Too much protein can weigh down the extensions, causing breakage over time. Leave the bond builders for over-processed damage found in natural hair.

Protect Your Locks

The best way to protect your locks is by having a high-quality hair oil and a leave-in hair treatment. Both are essential.

Spray a high-quality leave-in treatment before brushing, immediately after the shower. The dampness of the hair helps soak in the product, makes it easier to detangle when brushing, and provides protection when heat styling.

After drying, apply a dime-sized amount of a high-quality hair oil. The everyday hustle and bustle does more to the hair than we realize! A hair oil helps protect the hair against friction and environmental damage. Plus—bonus—it makes the hair shinier and your beautiful blowout last longer!

Air Dry vs. Blow Dry

Answer is... BLOW DRY!

I know you may think—wouldn’t air drying mean healthier hair due to less heat? And while that seems logical, let’s quickly break down what happens when you air dry.

Think of a cotton towel: when you let it air dry, it becomes crisp, lackluster, and not-so-touchably soft. That’s because the moisture that fully saturated the towel during the wash has nowhere to escape. It sits inside the fibers until it eventually dissipates.

Your hair does the same thing (and with extensions—even worse). Removing the moisture allows the hair to get back to that silky, shiny result. You’ll notice less oiliness, longer-lasting styles, and fewer wash days (cha-ching!).

The extension’s sewn weft is the very place moisture, product, and buildup love to hang out—and not leave. It gets tucked away, unseen. Over time, that moisture can cause shedding, hair loss, and worse... mildew (the same mildew that builds up in that cotton towel)!

Do your hair a favor and take the time once or twice a week for a blow dry. From damp to 100% bone dry is key to making it long-lasting and healthiest for your hair.

Pro-tip: To ensure your hair is 100% bone dry, you want to check for areas on your scalp that feel cold. Coldness = left over moisture. Make sure to use the added nozzle as well! For a free-free, bone dry, and perfect done blow out a proper seal is done by round brushes the hair, I recommend Olivia Garden Brushes due to its usability and long-term usage!

Move Up... Where?

Every 6 to 8 weeks, that is! Any longer, and you risk pulling and tugging on your natural hair—the very thing we must AVOID if we want to preserve your hair!

Pro-tip: Pre-book your appointment to effectively stay on track for success and maintain your gorgeous locks.