Regular maintenance

Regular professional maintenance of your hair extensions is crucial in gaining maximum usage and value for money. It is important for two reasons:

  • Longer lasting wefts. Movement at the base of the weft will loosen and weaken the spine—the most important part of the weft. By having your extensions moved up regularly and on time, this outcome will be avoided.
  • Protecting your natural hair. The longer you resist having your wefts moved up, the more the hair extensions can swing and place pressure on the roots of your hair.

Guidance Tips:

To ensure longer life and health for extensions and scalp, wefts should be refitted every 5 to 7 weeks (for fine hair probably 4-6) otherwise too much pressure can be placed on the roots and this could cause damage. It is very important to make sure that the maintenance to your extension is handled by Honeycombe as inferior treatment (cut, colour, chemical or mechanical damage) could result in damaging or shortening the life of the product and detracting from the silky, high quality finish. Other hairdressers will not have the same knowledge, experience or understanding of this hair extension and they will not be familiar with your own hair and scalp background. On this page we will outline a number of ways for you to manage your hair extensions in order to maintain their longevity and beauty.

Arriving home

Arriving home with your new hair, allow 24 hours to adjust to your new look and feel because you will have more hair and initially it might feel a little firmer and heavier (especially when wet). But as you become used to the new extensions the hair will feel more like your natural hair. Allow an adjustment period of about 14 days.
Virgin Russian hair is lighter and easier to wear than other hair types.

Brushing

Take your first section of hair, about 15cm from the bottom, and brush towards the end of your hair. Then work your way up to the next 15cm section until the entirety of your hair is completely brushed.

Brushing or combing Tips:

  • Be gentle when brushing over the weft’s spine – don’t brush roughly.
  • Do not use a fine-tooth comb in your hair as this will stretch and sensitise the hair shaft, adding pressure to the roots.
  • Hold the hair weft near the spine to avoid pulling at the roots.

Shampooing

Take a small amount of shampoo in the palm of your hand and gently massage through to the scalp in an up-down motion—do not use a circular motion as this can cause your hair to tangle. Then squeeze the bubbles downwards through the mid-lengths and ends. Rinse gently. You should only shampoo at the roots to cleanse your scalp of hair oil, only including the ends if the hair has been heavily coated with product.

Shampoo Tips:

  • Your hair should be shampooed just once or twice a week. Excessive shampooing can create unnecessary wear and tear on your hair extension.
  • Never carelessly apply shampoo onto the ends of your hair and rub—the ends are already dry and do not have natural oils to protect them.
  • Use dry shampoo throughout the week to maintain your look in the absence of liquid shampoo.

Conditioning and Treatment

Gently squeeze out excess moisture, as it will dilute the concentration of your product. Begin by applying the conditioner or treatment to the mid-lengths and ends of your hair, then lightly massage through to the roots. Lightly rake your fingers through the hair or use a wide-tooth comb to smooth out any tangles and allow for even distribution. Rinse gently in warm water.

Conditioning Tips:

  • Condition and treat your hair just once or twice a week when shampooing
  • Your hair extensions will require extra conditioning because your natural oils do not pass the weft spine.

Pre-styling and drying

Pat your hair dry rather than rubbing vigorously—treat your hair with gentle care. Then apply a leave-in moisturiser or heat protectant before heat-styling to help protect your hair from mechanical damage. Use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to separate hair.

Styling

When styling, avoid products with a high alcohol content as it will dry out your hair. E.g. mousses, hairspray, gel. pay close attention to avoiding wear and tear on the hair extensions. Finish your style with a light Smooth and Shine serum, avoiding silicone-based products.

Styling tips and rules:

  • Don’t push pins or clips into the weft spine
  • Avoid heat-styling on or near the base of the extensions
  • Use damage-free hair elastics to protect your hair and hair extensions
  • Never pull your hair into a tight formal style or high ponytail (especially for gym or active sports) as this can place too much pressure on your roots.

Water sports

When at the beach, pool or spa, always tie your hair in a “low ponytail” or plait it. If you are spending long periods of time in the sun, always use a UV protectant product. For chlorine pools or spas, it would be preferable to wear a cap.

Sleeping

Tie your hair in either a loose plait or loose low ponytail to avoid knots and unnecessary brushing. A silk or satin pillowcase can also reduce wear and tear on your hair and the extensions.

In general, give your new hair the respect and attention it deserves and you will reap the rewards. Above all, though, have fun with it—beautiful hairstyling can enrich your self-esteem and everyday experience.

Caution:  It might be tempting to go to another less experienced and therefore cheaper extensions to have your reinstallation’s done.  However, you should be aware that they charge less because they do an inferior job. Clients have experienced damage to natural hair, bald spots, breakage of wefts, tightness, discomfort, and grow out too quickly.  Often cheaper extensionists use less beads and are faster but you have to go back more often (weeks earlier).  It is important not to damage your scalp or hair with inferior operators.  Alison has over 20 years’ experience as a cutter, colourist, extensions and is extremely knowledgable in hair and scalp condiitions. She is a specialist custom weft maker and is at the cutting edge of new styles and technologies.  To qualify as a partner with Kerastase a salon must be in the top 1% of hair salons.