Hair Extension Care & Maintenance Guide | Clarksburg MD

Keep your extensions looking their best

First Week Adjustment

It's completely normal to feel slight scalp tenderness or like you're wearing a headband in the first few days after your install. This is your scalp adjusting to the extensions. Most clients feel fully comfortable within 7 to 10 days.

Avoid tight ponytails or styles that put tension near the root area. Stick to low styles while your scalp settles in.

K-Tip Care Tips
• Wait 48 hours (ideally 3–4 days) before washing after install
• Separate bonds daily with fingertips to prevent matting
• Use a wet brush, gently brushing roots through the bonds
• Wash every 3–4 days or longer for longest wear (Use cooler water when washing your extensions to help prevent color fading and keep both your extensions and scalp) healthy.
• Avoid heat, conditioner, oils, or leave-ins on the bonds
• First reinstall: 3–3½ months (timing adjusted as needed)

Washing Your Hair

Avoid washing daily. Washing 1-2 times per week is ideal to help preserve the extensions and your natural hair.
Always use cool to lukewarm water. Hot water can dry out your extensions and fade color.
Use sulfate-free, professional-grade shampoo and conditioner only.
Shampoo your scalp gently let the suds rinse through the extensions rather than scrubbing them.
Apply conditioner from mid-shaft to ends only. Do not apply any conditioner or oil at the root or near the beads, as it can cause slippage.
Rinse thoroughly to avoid product buildup around the extensions.
Brush your extensions with a Wet Brush or extension brush before washing. Always hold the hair at the base to avoid tugging.
Shampoo gently between the rows. You can clip up each row and shampoo section by section from the nape upward.

Recommended Extension-Safe Hair Care

• L’Oréal Professional
• Matrix
• Pureology (sulfate-free — ideal for extensions)
• Redken (sulfate-free formulas recommended)

Sulfate-free products help protect keratin bonds, prevent dryness, and extend the life of your extensions.
If you’re unsure what’s best for your hair, I’ll guide you during your appointment.

Brushing & Detangling

Always brush before washing and before bed using a Wet Brush or extension-friendly detangling brush.
Start at the ends and work your way up while holding the hair to avoid tugging.
Gently brush between your natural hair and the extension rows to prevent matting and keep your scalp healthy.
Never pull or tug on the bead or anchor areas.
Split your hair down the center when rinsing and rest it on your shoulders if it feels heavy (usually just the first week).
Use a leave-in detangler before brushing.

Drying & Styling

Let your hair air dry 50–80% before blow drying.
If you’re short on time, gently blot your hair with a towel to absorb excess moisture, then blow dry on low heat.
Always use a leave-in heat protectant before applying heat tools.
Use a professional blow dryer (Dyson, BaByliss, etc.) and avoid excessive heat (keep hot tools below 360°F).
Blow dry in sections and only brush below the beads/wefts.
Avoid tight hairstyles or high ponytails for the first week.
Use a satin scrunchie to protect your hair when tying it up.

Brush Tips:

Wefts: Wet Brush, The Unbrush, Tangle Teezer
I-Tips/Keratin Bonds: The Unbrush, boar + synthetic blend (Avoid Wet Brush here—the bristle bulbs can catch.)

Swimming & Vacation Tips

Try to avoid swimming in saltwater or chlorine. They can cause drying and tangling.
If you swim:
- Wet your hair first and apply a leave-in conditioner or hair mask.
- Secure hair in a braid or low bubble braid with elastics.
- Rinse immediately and deep condition afterward.
- Avoid letting SPF products touch blonde extensions they may cause discoloration.

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Tips & Tricks

Shampoo about 2 times per week depending on your level of oiliness. If you feel you need to wash more often , roll the extensions in a bun leaving out the top half of your hair. flip head over in shower or sink and only shampoo your natural hair. This will drastically cut down on drying/ styling time!

Wash at night, let air dry for about 2-3 hours then use blow dryer right before bed to get completely dry. Then straighten or curl in the morning. This process could take an hour in the morning from soaking wet to styled. This will help you get ready faster in the morning!

Be sure to apply oil to the ends of your extensions every other day to keep them hydrated. Remember, extensions have been highly treated and do not receive the same oils from your scalp that your hair does so it is very important to keep them hydrated and shiny.

Be sure to brush morning and night. If you wear bulky sweaters, or jackets your hair can easily get a little tangled from rubbing against these items. Keep a small brush in your purse in case you need to brush on the go.