Hair Extensions··4 min read
Hair extensions aftercare: daily care that makes them last
Washing, brushing, sleep, heat and the pool: how to look after your extensions day by day so the bonds hold and the hair keeps its condition for longer.
I've been working with hair for four years, and whether it's keratin micro capsules or nano rings, I see the same thing with every client: the result depends not only on the day spent in my chair, but on every day that follows. Hair extensions aftercare isn't complicated; it simply asks for a few habits your natural hair never needed. At Hair Majesty in Bathgate I go through them at the end of every fitting, and here they are in one place so you always have them to hand.
Start with patience. Straight after the fitting, don't wash your hair and don't tie it up tightly — hold off on the first wash for as long as we agree at your appointment. Capsules and rings need that time to settle.
Washing and drying
- Wash your hair standing upright in the shower, never bent forward over the bath. Extensions like everything running one way: top to bottom.
- Apply shampoo to the scalp and work it in gently with your fingertips. Don't rub or twist the bonds.
- Conditioner and masks go from mid-lengths to ends, well away from the bonds.
- Around the bonds, avoid products with oils or heavy silicones. Oils can weaken keratin, and with nano rings they can make a strand start to slip. A light oil on the ends is fine.
- After washing, squeeze the water out gently with a towel — no rubbing, and no towel turban left on for ages. Dry the roots and bonds with a hairdryer on a cool or lukewarm setting. Bonds left wet overnight are a sure route to matting.
Brushing and sleeping
Brush several times a day, always with a brush made for extensions (soft bristles or looped nylon). Start at the ends and work upwards, holding the hair at the root with your other hand so you're not pulling on the bonds. Every day, separate the sections at the scalp with your fingers to stop the regrowth matting together.
At night, plait your hair loosely or tie it in a low, loose ponytail. A satin or silk pillowcase cuts down on friction. And the rule I repeat most often: never go to bed with wet hair.
Hair extensions aftercare in summer: sun, pool and sea
The hair I fit is natural Slavic Remy hair, so it reacts to chlorine, salt and sun just like your own. Before you get into a pool or the sea, wet your hair with clean water, put in a light oil-free conditioner and plait it; a swimming cap is better still. Rinse straight after swimming and wash properly the same day. Lightened extensions can shift in tone with chlorine, so if you're a light blonde, don't skip this step.
In hot weather, wash the roots more often — sweat and sebum collect right at the bonds. On the beach, a hat or a UV spray helps protect the colour from fading. Saunas and very hot baths are best avoided, as high heat doesn't do the capsules any favours.
When to come in for a refit
Your hair grows and the bonds move down with it. When the regrowth has clearly pushed the capsules or rings away from the scalp, the strands start tangling at the root and nano rings can loosen — that's your cue for a refit. It usually falls every few weeks to a few months, but the exact rhythm depends on how fast your hair grows and how many grams you're wearing, so we agree it at your appointment.
A refit means working with the hair you already have, with no new hair to buy, from £120. If you'd like the extensions taken out, I do that from £50, in the salon, without pulling. You'll find the details on the hair extensions price list. Putting it off is a false economy: the longer the regrowth, the more tangling and the more strain on your own hair.
What not to do
- Don't force out tangles or drag a brush through the bonds.
- Don't remove extensions yourself, whether with acetone or an oil trick from the internet.
- Don't straighten or curl directly on the bonds; keep the irons below them and always use heat protection.
- Don't colour or bleach at home — with extensions in, we plan your colour together.
- Don't sleep with wet or loose hair, not even "just this once".
If you're not sure your routine is right, or you're wondering which method would suit your lifestyle, you're welcome to book a short consultation in Bathgate, West Lothian. Book an appointment in the calendar — you can see the available times straight away, and at the visit I'll take a proper look at your hair.
Key facts
- The hair is included in the fitting price: Slavic Remy hair with a lifespan of up to 2 years — the better the home care, the longer it lasts.
- Both methods, keratin micro capsules and nano rings, share almost the same home routine; the main difference is how they react to oils and heat.
- Rule number one: conditioner from mid-lengths down, and no oils or heavy silicones anywhere near the bonds.
- At night, a loose plait and dry hair — bonds left wet until morning are a common cause of matting.
- A refit of your existing hair starts from £120 (keratin 50–250 g, nano 100–200 g, 2–6 h), with no new hair to buy.
- Removal starts from £50, takes 45 min to 1 h 45 min and is always done in the salon — never with acetone or oil at home.
Frequently asked questions
How often should you wash hair extensions?
A few washes a week are usually enough — standing upright, with shampoo on the scalp and conditioner from mid-lengths down. In hot weather or after exercise, wash the roots more often, but never leave the bonds wet overnight.
Can you sleep with hair extensions down?
Better not. Loose hair rubs against the pillow and tangles at the bonds, so plait it loosely or tie a low ponytail for the night — always on dry hair.
Can you swim with hair extensions?
Yes, with protection: wet your hair with clean water first, add a light oil-free conditioner and plait it or wear a cap. Rinse out the chlorine or salt as soon as you're out and wash your hair the same day.
How often do hair extensions need refitting?
Usually every few weeks to a few months, once the regrowth has clearly pushed the bonds away from the scalp. The exact rhythm depends on how fast your hair grows and how many grams you wear, so we agree it at your appointment; a refit starts from £120.
What next
See the prices, then pick a time in the calendar.
