A Step-by-Step Guide to Washing Hair Extensions
Hair extensions are like your best friends. They’re always there for you when you want to rock long, luscious, fuller, and lively hair on any occasion. As such, they also deserve to receive care from your end. After all, being best friends is a mutual commitment.
The way you wash your hair extensions can go a long way toward determining their lifespan and retaining their silky, soft, and beautiful look and texture.
We’ll tell you how to wash hair extensions properly in this step-by-step guide!
How to Wash Clip-in Hair Extensions
Follow the steps given below to wash your hair extensions.
Step 1: Brush Your Hair Extensions
To begin, make sure to brush your extensions. Doing so will ensure the wefts are tangle-free during and after the washing process.
Use a specialized hair extensions brush or a loop brush to ensure no hair breakage occurs. Start brushing gently from the ends of the hair, working your way towards the base or roots. And while brushing, carefully disentangle any knots without damaging the wefts.
Step 2: Prepare Your Sink
Clean your sink and close the drain. Next, fill up the sink with water while ensuring the water is not too cold or too hot. We recommend lukewarm water for washing hair extensions.
Put a few drops of shampoo into the water and mix it properly so the product dissolves completely. Make sure to use a shampoo free of harsh chemicals like alcohol and sulfates.
Step 3: Shampoo the Extensions
It’s a good idea to treat each weft with a moisturizing conditioner before and after shampooing. Again, ensure that your conditioner is free of alcohol and sulfates.
After applying the conditioner, shampoo the wefts one by one. Washing each piece of extension separately will help prevent tangling.
Here’s how you can wash each weft:
- Hold the extension in your hand at the base.
- Dip it into the water-shampoo mixture.
- Gently run your other hand over the hair to remove dirt and product buildup.
- Do not stroke or rub the weft strenuously, as it can damage the hair.
- Once you’ve washed the weft, lay it down on a clean towel.
- Repeat the above steps for all of the wefts.
Step 4: Use a Conditioner
After you’re done shampooing all of the wefts, make sure to condition them. Take enough conditioner in your hand and apply it to each weft.
Make sure the conditioner covers each extension from the base to the end. Also, gently but thoroughly rub the conditioner into the hair strands.
Let the conditioner sit in for five or ten minutes before rinsing the extensions thoroughly.
Step 5: Apply a Hair Mask
Applying a hair mask will keep your extensions silky, soft, and moisturized. Make sure to apply a generous amount of hair masks to each weft. Also, thoroughly massage the product into each hair extension from the base to the end. Then, leave the product in the wefts overnight. This will help seal in the maximum amount of moisture.
Step 6: Rinse the Extensions
After applying the hair mask and leaving it overnight, rinse the extensions to remove any remaining conditioner from the hair the following day. Be sure to rinse the wefts thoroughly to strip them off any conditioner residue.
Next, dip the wefts in the cold water one by one. This step helps close the cuticles, seal in moisture, and make the hair look lustrous.
Step 7: Air Dry the Wefts
Take the extensions in your hand and gently squeeze them to remove any excess water. Do not rub the wefts with a towel because it can damage the hair. Also, try not to use heat tools like a blow dryer. It’s always a good idea to let your hair extensions air-dry.
If you’re short of time, you may use a blow dryer after applying a heat protectant to your extensions. Also, make sure to set your blow dryer’s temperature to a minimum to prevent possible heat damage to your extensions.
Step 8: Brush Your Hair Extensions
Once your hair extensions are fully dry, it’s time to brush them. Caution: Never brush the wefts when they’re wet because it can cause hair breakage.
Take a wide-toothed comb or a loop brush and gently brush each weft from the ends to the base. After you’re done with brushing, you can put your clean and silky-smooth extensions in your hair and style them to your liking.
While proper care is essential, having extensions that last start with a high-quality product. ZALA’s extensions are made from 100% human hair to ensure long-lasting quality. Shop our wide selection of hair extensions here.
