Washing Hair Extensions: Hidden Secrets Behind

Step-by-step on how to wash hair extensions

In general, if you get the hair extensions blended perfectly with your hair, you can wash hair extensions almost like your hair. However, based on the characteristics of hair extensions, the way we wash hair with hair extensions has some differences with the normal way. Here is a 6-step guide on how to wash hair extensions.

Step 1: Brushing your hair with extensions

Brushing your hair with extensions is a very important step that many people forget before washing hair extensions. The purpose of this step is to detangle your hair before washing. It helps you minimize the knot and shedding after washing.

You should comb your hair from the bottom to the top using a wide-tooth comb or a detangle brush. Make sure that you hold the extensions at the contact point firmly to prevent falling out. While brushing your hair, you can apply some conditioner or shampoo to your brush to help your brush go easier. Avoid using regular hairbrushes, as they can tug on the bonds or wefts of your extensions, causing them to loosen over time.

Step 2: Apply shampoo

There are two ways to apply shampoo when washing hair with extensions. The basic way is applying it directly to your hair. You should wet your hair first and get enough shampoo on your palm, then apply it onto your hair. By doing this, you can focus on which part of your hair you want to wash. You should do this if your hair has product build-up or it is too greasy.

The second one is diluting shampoo with water and rinsing or soaking it into this mixture. It helps you apply shampoo on each hair strand. If you want to wash your hair slightly, this method will save you a lot of time and shampoo.

Always opt for sulfate-free and alcohol-free shampoos to protect your extensions, as sulfates can strip moisture from your hair, making extensions dry and prone to tangling.

Step 3: Slightly massage your hair

After applying shampoo to your hair, you should massage your hair slightly to remove the dust and oil from your hair. Start by slowly rubbing your hair at the top of your head in a circular motion then move to the side and backward to clean your whole head. Make sure that you use the soft pads of your fingers to massage your scalp. Some people try to use their fingernails to scrub hard to their scalp with the purpose to remove dandruff. But all it does is damage your scalp. Don’t miss understanding!

Step 4: Rinse your hair under water

After 5-10 minutes, you should rinse your hair under water to remove shampoo from your hair. Direct the water flow from the top downward to allow the shampoo to wash away evenly. If possible, use filtered water to rinse your hair, as hard water contains minerals that can cause buildup on extensions, making them look dull and dry.

Step 5: Detangle your hair with extensions

After removing shampoo from your hair, you should detangle it to get smooth hair. Use a wide-tooth comb or a detangling brush and start brushing from the bottom to the top. Apply a lightweight, leave-in conditioner to add extra moisture and help detangle more easily. However, avoid applying conditioner near the roots or bonds of your extensions.

Step 6: Dry your hair with hair extensions

Gently squeeze out excess water using a microfiber towel or soft cotton T-shirt. Avoid rubbing, as it can cause frizz and tangling. If using a blow dryer, apply a heat protectant first and use a low-heat setting to prevent heat damage. Never go to bed with wet hair extensions, as this can cause matting and tangling overnight. Ensure your hair is completely dry before sleeping.

>> Read more: How To Wash Hair With Tape In Extensions <<

Hidden secret around washing hair with hair extensions

Is hot or cold water better for your hair? Why?

Washing hair with hot water not only damages the natural protein structure of your hair that causes frizziness and breakage, it also dries your scalp and leads to badly increased dandruff. Meanwhile, washing with cold water will close your hair cuticle, maintain its moisture and natural oil that makes your hair shiny and smooth. However, if you wash your hair with cold water for a long time, your hair will decrease its volume and lay flat on your scalp because of the oil. That’s why we suggest you use lukewarm water (at around  100°F or 38°C).

Do I need to shampoo all the hair or just the scalp?

There is a debate about whether we should shampoo all our hair. Some people said that we must shampoo all the hair to remove dust and oil from it. Others said we don’t need to do that. We only need to shampoo the scalp, then dust and oil will be stripped out when we rinsing  shampoo out of our hair from the root to the end. 

However, according to hair experts, it depends on the environment where you live and which products you apply on your hair. If you live in a clean environment and don’t use leaves in products, you only need to shampoo your scalp. On the other hand, if you work and live in a polluted environment or use many hair care product layers, make sure to shampoo all of your hair. \

How often should you wash your hair?

It depends on your daily activity and the environment where you live. For women who live in normal condition without applying oil-based hair care products, you only need to wash your hair 2-3 times a week. On the other hand, you can wash your hair more than 3 times if you work in a very bad environment with complex smells such as in the kitchen, in the garage,... However, don’t over wash your hair because it will make your hair weaker and cause frizziness or shedding.

Do I need to shampoo twice?

There is a myth blindly believed by many women out there “Shampooing the hair twice is a deeper cleanse”. In fact, it’s a kind of misleading information released by shampoo manufacturers to make you buy more. It works. But if you have high-quality shampoo or you don’t have many build-up layers of hair care products, it’s a kind of prodigality.

Additional Tips to Protect Hair Extensions

• Use a silk or satin pillowcase to reduce friction and prevent tangling while sleeping.

• Avoid excessive heat styling, and always apply a heat protectant spray before using hot tools.

• Keep your hair moisturized by applying a small amount of lightweight hair oil to the ends of your extensions.

• Tie your hair in a loose braid or ponytail before sleeping to minimize tangling.

Conclusion

If you read until here, I’m sure that you all know about washing hair with hair extensions and you are better than 80% women with hair extensions out there. After this blog, you can see that there is no black and white in hair washing, it depends on you and your mission is to personalize your hair washing routine. If  you want to buy high-quality hair extensions, don’t forget to contact Mic hair - the best hair vendor in Vietnam.