Whether you’ve chosen extensions to add length, volume, or both, maintaining them properly at home is essential to keep them looking luscious and secure.

Small, easy habits, like brushing properly, washing gently, and protecting the bonds, can make a huge difference in how long your extensions last and help ensure your natural hair remains healthy.

Washing Your Extensions

A question we get asked a lot is how to properly wash hair extensions. How you wash your extensions is very important, as incorrect washing can lead to tangling, product buildup, weakened bonds and compromised hair health.

Hair extensions should be washed in the shower, with the hair falling naturally, not upside down in a bath or sink. When you flip your hair upside down, it can tangle and pull near the roots.

“When washing hair extensions at home, the most important thing is to be gentle and mindful of the attachment points. I always recommend washing the hair in a downward motion rather than piling it on top of the head, as this helps prevent tangling and keeps the extensions smooth throughout. Also, using a sulfate-free shampoo is ideal because it cleanses the scalp without stripping moisture from the extensions. I usually advise clients to focus the shampoo on the scalp and roots, gently massaging the product in with their fingertips, and then allowing it to rinse through the mid lengths and ends.” Amy Senior Hair Extension Specialist

You can first apply shampoo gently to the areas of your head where there are no extension connections. Once the shampoo has lathered, it can run through the extensions. It is important to avoid scrubbing the connection points, especially in a circular motion, as this can cause erosion. Instead, gently guide the shampoo through the roots downward with your fingers. Conditioner should only be applied to the mid-lengths and ends of the hair, avoiding the root area completely.

Choosing the right shampoo also plays a key role in extension maintenance. We recommend a salon-quality clarifying or volumising shampoo; hydrating products can create build-up and slipping around the bonds. Some shampoos to choose from:

Finally, we recommend that you wash your hair twice during each wash; the first removes surface oils and build-up, while the second cleanses the scalp more thoroughly. Senior Hair Extension Specialist, Laleta says

“A tip I always tell my clients is to wash their hair with hotter water because it helps get rid of product buildup better than lukewarm water. I also always tell them to make sure they rinse properly behind their ears; lots of people forget about that, and that’s an area I’ve seen a lot of buildup.”

Brushing and Drying Your Extensions

Brushing and drying your extensions properly is key to keeping them in good condition.

Firstly, using a soft-bristle brush, such as a Tangle Teezer, helps prevent unnecessary tension on the bonds. When you’re brushing your hair extensions, always begin at the ends and work your way upward, holding the hair at the top. This prevents pulling on the connection points and reduces breakage.

“With extensions, it is important to brush the hair a few times a day, always starting from the ends and working your way up toward the roots. This helps remove tangles gradually without putting stress on the bonds or attachment points. A Tangle Teezer is great for gently detangling the lengths of the hair, while a Denman brush can help smooth and style the hair without snagging. I also advise clients to hold the hair near the root while brushing so the extensions stay secure and the natural hair is protected. When the right brush is used regularly and gently, it helps keep both the extensions and the natural hair smooth, healthy, and easy to manage between salon appointments.” Senior Hair Extension Specialist Jade

Making sure your extensions are dry is also important, as leaving your roots damp can soften the bonds and increase the risk of shedding or matting. After washing your hair, gently squeeze excess water from the hair using a towel rather than rubbing it. Before using a brush, gently separate the hair with your fingers while it is still damp. Once the hair is mostly dry, you can carefully brush through it. Senior Hair Extension Specialist, Sophia says

“After your shower, you shouldn’t put your hair up in a towel turban; you should wear it more like a veil so the hair falls downward and isn’t overdirected. I had a client who kept putting her hair up in a towel and didn’t realise it was pulling at her bonds, but luckily we caught it at her maintenance appointment, and her extensions look great.”

Sleeping and Exercise

It’s best to sleep with your hair in a loose braid or low ponytail to stop any knots or pulling whilst you sleep. Senior Hair Extension Specialist, Chloe, says

“I like to tell my clients to use a silk pillowcase, like the ones from LilySilk or Slip, especially the ones who have had FeatherLight. It just means less friction on your bonds when you sleep and keeps your hair extensions nice and smooth.”

It’s also important to take proper care of your extensions when you exercise, as sweat and movement create extra friction at your root. We suggest wearing your hair in a low ponytail or braid whilst you exercise. High or tight hairstyles can overdirect the hair and pull on the attachment points, putting stress on your scalp and roots. You should always brush through your hair and dry your roots after your workout to make sure there’s no build-up or slippage.

“I recommend avoiding going to sleep with damp extensions. Making sure the hair is completely dry before bed helps prevent tangling at the root and keeps the extensions looking smooth for longer. With the right drying routine, extensions stay healthier, more manageable, and maintain their natural movement between salon visits.” Danielle Salon Director

Styling Your Extensions

The great thing about hair extensions is how well they hold a style; your curls and waves last longer than they would in your natural hair alone.

You can use a range of styling tools on your hair, including straighteners, curling irons, large barrel wands and more. At Vixen & Blush, we love a larger curling wand because it creates soft, natural-looking waves that blend seamlessly with extensions.

However, it’s essential to use heat protection, like GHD Bodyguard, when styling your extensions. This prevents dryness and protects both your natural hair and the extensions from heat damage. Senior Hair Extension Specialist, Jade, says

“A little tip I tell my clients is, after you’ve styled your hair, instead of spraying hairspray directly onto the hair, spray it on a hairbrush first, then gently brush it through. This means the product is spread evenly throughout the hair and prevents buildup near the root.”

It’s also worth noting that certain salon blow-dries, particularly round brush ones, can pull strongly on the hair, putting excessive tension on the attachment points. For this reason, we recommend avoiding getting them or going to a salon experienced in blow-drying clients with extensions.

“High ponytails or tight top knots can place strain on the bonds or attachments, especially during workouts when you are moving around more. A low style keeps the hair controlled while still being comfortable and gentle on both the extensions and the natural hair.” Senior Hair Extension Specialist Kalela

With the right styling, your extensions can remain smooth, voluminous and beautifully styled for days.

Going on Holiday

Going on holiday with hair extensions requires a little extra maintenance. Sun, chlorine, saltwater, and suncream can all affect the condition of your hair extensions. When you go swimming, wetting the hair before and tying it into a low plait or ponytail helps prevent tangling. After swimming in the sea or a pool, it’s important to rinse your hair as soon as possible to remove salt or chlorine, brush through and dry the roots. Senior Hair Extension Specialist, Zoe, says

“Holidays and hair extensions can absolutely work together; you just need to be a bit more careful. I had a client go away for her hen do with fresh extensions, and because she followed the steps like plaiting her hair and rinsing it straight after swimming, her extensions still looked great after the trip.”

Another thing to consider is the type of suncream you use, as suncreams containing avobenzone, octocrylene, and oxybenzone may stain hair extensions. It’s important to choose a mineral-based sunscreen to avoid any staining. A few great options are:

Maintenance Appointments

Keeping up to date with your maintenance and check-up appointments is key to keeping your extensions looking sleek and maintaining your natural hair health. Leaving your extensions in for too long can put your own hair health at risk.

The wear time for each method is:

It’s normal to lose a couple of strands during the wear time of micro bonds and micro rings. Losing a handful of extensions over several weeks is nothing to worry about, as your hair naturally sheds. However, if you notice excessive shedding or attachment points feel sticky or loose, it’s good to book in a check-up or maintenance appointment.

Image

Senior Hair Extension Specialist, Rosie, says

“Maintenance appointments are so important for keeping your extensions and natural hair healthy. I had a client who left her tapes too long and had matting and tension at the roots, but she got back on the 8-week schedule, it all improved, and her extensions looked great.”

During a maintenance appointment, your extensions will be removed, and depending on the method and what you’ve discussed with your stylist, the hair will either be refitted or new hair will be installed.

Getting your hair extensions done in a salon ensures they are installed safely and blended properly, but how long your extensions last depends largely on your at-home routine. With the right techniques and products, your hair extensions can stay soft and glossy, and your natural hair can stay healthy until your next appointment.

Sarah Mckenna

Sarah McKenna is the founder of Vixen & Blush and The London Hair Lab. Sarah graduated as a research biochemist in 2005 and started a career within the pharmaceutical industry, before becoming a hair extensions expert. In 2010, Sarah gained insight into the hair extensions industry and could see that clients had a very poor value/quality proposition. At that time, poor-quality hair extensions were available, at prohibitively high prices. Sarah left her initial career and set out on a mission to improve the hair extensions industry in the UK, using her research and development skills.

Spending 3 years securing a high-quality and sustainable supply of human hair, Sarah then developed new products and fitting techniques to allow long-term refits of the same hair. In this way, Sarah was able to offer hair extensions services at a more affordable price to clients, while improving the quality of the service for her clients.

With Vixen & Blush starting in 2012 as a 1 chair salon in London, Sarah quickly grew the business to what it is today, a team of more than 20 hair professionals working together as London’s leading hair extensions specialists.