Hair extensions are a major game-changer for adding length, volume, and thickness to your hair. To keep them looking gorgeous and lasting as long as possible, proper care is essential. While there are differences in care instructions for different types of extensions, some care tips are universal. With the right routine and high-quality products you can extend the life of your extensions and care for your natural hair.

1. Never Sleep on Wet Hair
Wet hair is more prone to tangling and breakage, which can compromise both your natural hair and your extensions. Before bed, gently detangle your hair and secure it in a protective style, such as a loose braid, to prevent tangles. A sleep bonnet or satin pillowcase will also help to reduce friction and keep your extensions smooth.
 
Pro Tip: Always dry your hair before bed and secure it in a protective style, such as a loose braid or ponytail, to prevent tangles. Sleeping on a satin pillowcase minimizes friction, keeping your extensions smooth and secure.
 
2. Brush Regularly (and Gently)
Brushing is essential to prevent tangles, especially near the roots. However, extensions require special care to avoid damaging the bonds.

• Use a detangle brush designed for extensions.
• Start at the ends and gently work your way up. Hold your hair near the root to reduce tension on the bonds or wefts.

Brushing twice daily—morning and night—is recommended to keep your extensions looking polished.
 
3. Wash with Care
Over-washing you extensions can lead to dryness and breakage, so aim for every 2–3 days. When you do wash, follow these steps:

• Use lukewarm water to avoid weakening adhesives or expanding nano rings.
• Gently massage shampoo into scalp and let it flow through your extensions. Avoid scrubbing or harsh movements.
• Focus conditioner, like Kerastase Fondant Extensioniste, on the mid-lengths and ends to hydrate without causing slipping or adhesive breakdown.

Rinse thoroughly to remove all product and avoid buildup.
 
4. Hydrate Weekly
Hair extensions don’t receive natural oils from your scalp, so keeping them hydrated is crucial.

• Use a nourishing mask like Kerastase Masque Extensioniste once a week to replenish moisture.
• Apply sparingly to avoid product buildup, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends.

  
5. Protect from Heat
Stylists are always preaching the importance of heat protection and for good reason! Hot tools like flat irons, curling wands, and blow dryers can damage both your extensions and natural hair.

• Always apply a heat protectant, such as Kerastase Discipline Thermique, before using heat tools.
• Use a low to medium heat setting, and avoid direct heat on the bonds or attachment points.

 
6. Protect During Swimming
Chlorine and saltwater can dry out extensions and weaken bonds. Before swimming:

• Wet your hair with fresh water.
• Apply a leave-in conditioner to create a barrier.
• Style in a braid or other protective style.
• Wear a swim cap for maximum protection.

After swimming, rinse thoroughly and apply a hydrating treatment.
 
7. Schedule Regular Salon Visits
Professional maintenance is essential for keeping your extensions secure and looking fresh. During these appointments, your stylist can check the bonds and make necessary adjustments. Maintenance schedules vary depending on extension type, make sure to ask your stylist when you should be coming back and prebook! 
 
Hair extensions are an investment in your beauty, and proper care will keep them looking flawless for weeks or even months. With daily maintenance, the right products, and professional upkeep, you can enjoy long-lasting, gorgeous extensions while protecting your natural hair.
If you’re unsure about specific care techniques, don’t hesitate to consult your stylist for personalized advice. A little extra effort goes a long way in keeping your extensions as beautiful as the day they were installed!

​Tape-In Extensions are attached to the hair using adhesive. They are applied by sandwiching your own hair in between two individual tapes. The number of tapes needed will depend on your desired length and/or thickness. The process is repeated with tapes needing to be removed and re-installed each time to move them up. This is repeated roughly every 5-6 weeks, depending on your hair growth rate.

Hand-Tied Weft Extensions are applied by sewing the track of hair into your own hair with a stitching method using beads, string, and a sewing needle. Your stylist will place a row of beads along your head and then sew the hair into place. A move-up can be done 1-3 times without taking the extensions out fully and repeating the whole process. These move-ups are highly recommended to be done every 5 weeks to avoid an overgrown weft.

*Depending on your stylist's skill level with each method, the application times can vary. Personally, it takes me roughly the same amount of time to install a fresh set of extensions of either type, although Express weft move-ups are fast and only take about 5-20 minutes! 

TAPE-IN EXTENSIONS
When the tapes are first installed, it's important to avoid excessive sweating, washing the hair, or using a sauna/steam room for the first 48 hours. It is also recommended to not wear your hair up in a tight bun or ponytail for the first week or so, as doing so can cause too much tension on your scalp. Tapes will need to be removed and reinstalled every 5-6 weeks. The removal is done by spraying the adhesive with a solution to dissolve the stickiness (by 6 weeks, they should be very loose anyways and come out easily), then removing and replacing the old tape adhesive with new, and repeating the process of applying the hair. 

HAND-TIED WEFT EXTENSIONS
Wefts are similar to tapes in the sense of not washing them or getting them wet for the first 48 hours, and not to wear them pulled tight in the first week-ish. With both types it's best to allow your hair to grow a bit so there is less scalp tension. A weft move-up should be done every 4-5 weeks to avoid excessive grow-out space that can cause matting or unwanted damage to the weft's track. If move-ups are pre-booked on schedule, then your stylist should be able to perform an express move-up, which can be done 1-3 times if proper care is taken. An express move-up involves just moving the beads to re-tighten the weft, with no need to remove and reinstall every single time.

*Salon quality products should be used for both tapes and wefts to ensure good hair health.

​Both types of extensions will let you naturally style your hair. 

Although tapes can give you more of an all-over placement due to their customizable nature, they can be much harder to conceal in certain hairstyles. Depending on how long and thick your natural hair is, it may be harder to hide all the tapes in a high ponytail or other updo. With wefts, it is easier to conceal since they have a single track. When it comes to volume, you are still able to achieve some with tapes, although it is easier to have lots of volume with hand-tied wefts.

And there you have the main differences between hand-tied wefts and tape-in extensions! If you’re unsure which type you’d like - book a free consultation!! I would love to help go over the options of which option will work best with your hair!