How To Wash Your Hair Extensions

A common question asked by those wearing hair extensions is how to wash them. Washing your hair extensions is not a difficult task, however, it is important to understand how to do this correctly in order for your hair extensions to last as long as possible.

Hair Extensions Must Be Brushed Before They Are Washed

Firstly, you will need to brush your hair thoroughly before washing using your hair extension brush. If you have not worn hair extensions before you may not be used to brushing your hair before washing, however, this is a very important part of the process. The idea behind brushing your hair extensions before you wash your hair is to try to make your hair as easy to brush as possible once you are out of the shower, and removing any tangles beforehand will help with this immensely.

How To Clean Hair Extensions

Cleaning your hair extensions ideally begins before you step in the shower. By using a pre-shampoo treatment, this will nourish, cleanse and hydrate your hair acting in the same way sebum does on your scalp. If you have time, leaving the pre-shampoo treatment overnight will provide your extensions with all the essential oils it needs, even your natural hair will thank you. However, if you're short for time, soaking your hair in the treatment for just 30 minutes will make a big difference.

How To Stand In The Shower When Washing Hair Extensions

Now that you have brushed your hair extensions and applied your pre-shampoo treatment you can jump in the shower. It is very important when washing your hair that the water flows in the direction your hair grows. Do not wash your hair over the bath, or with your head flipped upside down, as this can encourage tangling and will prevent you from removing all of the product from your hair. Preferably you will have a shower to use, however, if not it is worth investing in a bath attachment to turn your tap into a shower facility.

How To Apply Shampoo To Human Hair Extensions When Washing

As you would with your natural hair, wet thoroughly with water ensuring that the water is flowing down your back at all times. Once your hair is thoroughly wet, apply your hair extension shampoo. As you now have considerably more hair than you are used to, you may need to use more shampoo than you would normally
for full coverage. To help the shampoo spread throughout the hair extensions, lather the shampoo into your hair and then quickly put your head back under the water for a quick splash. Now spreading the shampoo further will be easier with the added water. Gently massage the shampoo into the scalp, being very careful to wash the scalp but not to disturb the bonds too much. Once the scalp is covered, work your way through the rest of the hair, stroking instead of scrubbing the shampoo into the mid-lengths and ends.

How To Rinse Shampoo Out Of Hair Extensions Correctly

Now that your hair extensions are fully covered you can rinse as normal. With the water again running down your back, take your time to rinse the shampoo out of the hair extensions. As you have more hair and are likely to have used more products, be sure to spend extra time on the rinsing process as it will be needed. A common cause of itching when wearing hair extensions is due to shampoo and conditioner remaining in the hair after washing due to inadequate rinsing. Are you finding your new hair extensions to be itching, read our advice in the link.

How To Apply Conditioner To Human Hair Extensions

Once the shampoo is removed you can move on to your conditioner. Take a large amount of hair extension conditioner and apply to the mid-lengths and ends only. Do not apply conditioner to the scalp or roots under any circumstances as this can cause the hair extensions to slip or come loose. Once applied, leave the conditioner for a few minutes before rinsing to let it soak in as much as possible.

After a few minutes, rinse the conditioner from your hair and squeeze out any excess water.

Hair Extensions Should be Squeezed Of Excess Water

When exiting the shower, do not wrap your hair up in a towel, but instead gently squeeze and pat the hair extensions dry. Click the link for more information on how to dry your hair extensions.

By following these easy steps, you should have no trouble washing your hair extensions. We would recommend not washing your hair extensions every day, as this can be time-consuming and unhealthy for the hair extensions and your natural hair. Hair extensions should only be washed around 2-3 times per week.

Washing Hair Extensions Is Easy

Washing your hair extensions need not be a difficult process, as long as you understand what you need to do and which products work best with your extensions, you should not encounter any trouble. Our 'Keep Me Clean' Kit includes a Hairapeutix pre-shampoo treatment, SimplyHair Shampoo & Conditioner which has been specifically designed to care for your hair extensions and an aftercare card.