How To Wash Hair With Hair Extensions?

The most common question you may have about hair extension is how to wash them. Cleaning your hair extensions is effortless and easy. However, it is important to understand how you should wash them correctly so that they last as long as possible. This guide is aimed at helping you learn how exactly hair extensions should be washed. 

Should You Wash Hair Extensions?

As hair extensions don’t produce natural oils, they don’t require washing as much as your natural hair. You should not wash them every day as it can be time-consuming and unhealthy. The lesser you wash them, the longer they can last. 

Hair experts recommend washing the hair extensions after ten wears or even less. However, if you apply styling products, you may need to wash them every few days. High-quality extensions won’t require frequent washes. 

How to Wash Hair Extensions Step-By-Step

1. Brushing Your Hair Extensions

The first step in washing your hair extensions is to brush them. If you are new to hair extensions, this may seem strange to you but brushing the hair extensions is an important part of the procedure. Brushing allows you to make the hair extensions free of tangles so that they are easy to manage once they are washed. 

When you have brushed, you can proceed to the shower to clean your hair extensions. However, it is necessary that you stand in a way that the water flows in the direction of the hair growth. Make sure you don’t wash the hair with upside down head as this can increase tangling and make it difficult to remove the product from the hair. You can use a shower or a bath attachment. 

2. Shampoo Your Hair Extensions

Just like with natural hair, you can start washing your hair by wetting them thoroughly, making sure the water flows down your back. Once the hair is properly wet, you can apply your shampoo to the hair extension. You may have to use more shampoo than you would otherwise do. Take enough amount to ensure full coverage. 

Spread the shampoo evenly throughout the hair extension by using a little water. Massage the shampoo gently into the scalp while taking care that you don’t disturb the bonds a lot. Once you have applied it to the scalp, you can move through the rest of the hair, lathering through the mid lengths and ends. 

Once the hair extensions are covered well, you can rinse them as you would normally do. Gently rinse the shampoo out of the hair as the water runs down your back. As you have a bigger volume with extensions and have used more of the shampoo, spend some extra time on rinsing to make sure the shampoo is removed properly. 

If the shampoo or conditioner remains in the hair due to inadequate rinsing, there are chances of itching. 

3. Condition The Extensions

Hair extensions need conditioning as well. When you have removed the shampoo, you can use a conditioner to make the hair soft and moist. Take a generous amount of conditioner and start applying from the middle to the end. Avoid applying conditioner to your scalp or hair roots as this may cause the extensions to come off. 

You can leave the conditioner on for a few minutes to up to 30 minutes to allow it to absorb as much as possible. Then, rinse the conditioner from the hair and squeeze out all the water. Remember to use cold water so that moisture is locked well and no harm is caused to the extensions.

4. Apply A Hair Mask

Applying a hair mask is not a must-have step, but it’s highly recommended by many experts. The primary benefit of a hair mask is locking the moisture inside strands and repairing the damaged hair. To get the best result, you should use a hair mask 1-2 times a month.

5. Let Your Hair Air Dry

Once you exit the shower, see that you don’t wrap the hair in a towel but rather squeeze them properly to remove any water. Pat them dry in air and don’t use heat because it can damage the extensions in the long run and they can break sooner. 

If you want to use heat, ensure that you use some type of heat protecting spray and use the cool setting of the dryer to minimize damage. Use a comb only when they dry completely. You should never brush wet extensions as they can easily break from harsh pressure and movements. 

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can wash your hair extensions without any difficulty. Washing the hair extensions is an easy process if you understand what precautions you should take. Remember that more frequent washing can shorten the lifespan of your extensions.