How do you prevent tangling and matting and reduce shedding?
BRUSH YOUR HAIR OFTEN
The first and quite possibly one of the most important steps is to brush your extensions out before washing them and only once the hair is 90% dry. This helps minimise the possibility of breakage and shedding because the hair is at its weakest point when wet. Keep in mind it is also more susceptible to breakage when wet. Instead, use your fingers to gently loosen any tangles. Always gently brush your extensions before and after each use to reduce shedding and breakage. This will also prolong their lifespan. You can do this by starting at the ends and making your way up to the roots.
USE THE RIGHT HAIR PRODUCTS
The proper hair products make all the difference in whether your extensions will tangle or be soft and manageable. Purchase products specifically formulated for dry and damaged hair, as they will help keep the strands healthy and nourished. Also, look for products that add moisture to the hair like argan oil, coconut oil, and castor oil. Purchasing sulphate and alcohol-free products is a necessity as they are imperative to maintain the health of your extensions. These ingredients strip the hair of its natural oils and will affect their integrity. This, in turn, makes the hair drier and more prone to tangling or matting.
KEEP YOUR HAIR EXTENSIONS MOISTURISED
Keeping your extensions moisturised and nourished is crucial, considering they don’t have a natural hydration source like your own hair does. If you are brushing your extensions throughout the day and you seem to notice dryness or some minor breakage, apply a pearl-size amount of a lightweight or water-based hair serum or a lightweight oil, like argan oil. Always ensure you apply it from the mid shaft of the hair down to the ends and follow by brushing the extensions to evenly distribute the product throughout. Remember, less is more. You do not need to apply a hair oil daily, as this can cause buildup on your extensions. Instead, you apply it once a week or when you notice significant tangling and dryness.
READ THE INGREDIENTS LIST
Always be sure to do one simple thing before you buy any product - flip it over! Many products out there have sulphates and alcohol hidden in their formulas. Also, keep in mind that not all companies claiming to make sulphate-free shampoos are truly free of sulphates. Be sure to check the ingredient listing and ensure you don’t see the words: SLS, Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, Sodium Laureth Sulphate, Alcohol denat, Ethanol, SD alcohol 40, Propanol, Isopropyl, and Propyl.
HYDRATE YOUR HAIR EXTENSIONS
Since your extensions don’t absorb the oils your natural hair would, you don’t have to wash them as often. As a general rule, the less you wash your extensions the longer they will last you. When washing your extensions, it's important you hydrate them as much as possible, and apply a moisturising sulphate and alcohol-free conditioner before and after shampooing. Sometimes, you can even skip the shampoo and only co-wash your extensions with conditioner! Always be sure to rinse the extensions in cold water at the end to close cuticles and lock in moisture.
When you notice your extensions getting dry or tangled, apply a deep conditioning treatment or mask. This will hydrate and restore some moisture back into them, as well as help make them softer and more manageable to style. It’s an easy and simple process to do—all you have to do is dampen your extensions and apply a generous amount of a sulphate and alcohol-free deep conditioning treatment or conditioner to the hair, and let it soak in the product for 5-6 hours or overnight by placing it in a shower cap or a plastic bag. Rinse off as normal the next day.
USE AN OIL TREATMENT ON YOUR EXTENSIONS
Another way to infuse moisture back in your hair extensions is with an oil treatment, like coconut oil. First, measure out two tablespoons of coconut oil and warm it up until it melts. Then, apply it to dry hair from the mid-shaft working your way down and focusing most of the product on the ends. You can also leave this treatment on overnight for best results. In the morning, wash the extensions as normal. Keep in mind that coconut oil is very heavy so you may need to shampoo your extensions twice to get rid of all of the oil from the hair.
HANDLE YOUR HAIR EXTENSIONS WITH CARE
Improper hair care can also take a toll on your extensions. When washing, make sure to handle the extensions gently and to not rub them vigorously. After you are finished, carefully squeeze any excess water from the extensions. Never rub your extensions dry with a towel. Instead, always lay them out on a flat surface and gently pat them dry. When air drying, invest in a microfiber towel as it will remove excess water faster and it won’t rough up the hair (which can also cause tangles).
LIMIT HEAT STYLING AND ALWAYS USE A HEAT PROTECTANT
We do not recommend blow drying your extensions after every wash as doing this constantly will make them dry and more vulnerable to breakage. If you can avoid it, we highly recommend air drying your extensions for the safest route as this will also prevent against tangles. Also, we always suggest using a heat protectant spray prior to using any heat styling tool to extend the lifespan of your hair extensions. Additionally, we recommend to only use a low heat setting of 60-180 degrees celsius as anything higher runs the risk of damaging the hair.
LIMIT THE USE OF HEAVY HAIR PRODUCTS
Limiting the number of products you apply to the hair will help with tangling. Using sticky products such as hairspray, hair gel, or hair wax, can and likely will clog up your extensions. The more products you use, the more you will need to wash your extensions, leading to dry, tangled extensions.
Here are some of the dos and don'ts of caring for human hair extensions:
Dos:
- Use a gentle shampoo and conditioner specifically formulated for human hair extensions
- Brush or comb the extensions daily to remove tangles and prevent matting
- Avoid excessive heat styling to reduce damage
- Store the extensions properly when not in use
- Have the extensions trimmed regularly to maintain their shape and health
- Do use a wide-toothed comb or detangling brush to gently remove knots and tangles
- Do allow the extensions to air dry after washing, rather than using a hair dryer, to minimise heat damage
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Don'ts:
- Don't use sulfate-based products, as they can dry out the extensions
- Don't go to bed with wet extensions, as this can lead to tangling and matting
- Don't apply heavy oils or products to the roots, as this can cause the extensions to slip
- Don't over-wash the extensions, as this can strip them of their natural oils
- Don't tie the extensions too tightly or use rubber bands, as this can cause damage and breakage
- Don't expose the extensions to excessive sun, chlorine or salt water, as this can cause fading and damage
- Don't attempt to colour or chemically treat the extensions yourself, as this should only be done by a professional to avoid damaging the hair.
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Dying Hair Extensions Disclaimer.
Results may vary with different brands and types of hair extensions and dyes. We cannot be held responsible for any issues that may occur during or after the dying/toning process as the reaction and application methods may vary. To ensure desired results, it is recommended to test the dye/toner on a small piece of hair before fully committing to the process.
Dying/toning can be a drastic change as the chemicals involved can negatively affect the texture, quality, and longevity of the extensions. The product may experience increased dryness, shedding, tangling, and breakage. Our hair extensions undergo a rigorous dying and bleaching process to achieve their stunning shades."
