How to Wash Your Clip in Extensions?
Sometimes you want to chop your hair off, and other times you want long flowy Rapunzel style locks. The problem with our hair, unfortunately, is that it just does not grow that fast. This is where hair extensions come in. You can use them to lengthen your hair, add more volume or just for a fun change.
Naturally, your hair extensions will need to be cared for, much like your actual hair. The requirements for maintaining and keeping your extensions looking great will be a little different than the process for your real hair. Below you will find a guide to help you in keeping your clip in hair extensions healthy and shiny.
- When Should You Need To Wash Your Hair Extensions?
- Items For Washing Clip In Hair Extensions
- Steps For Washing Clip In Hair Extensions
- Final Word
When Should You Need to Wash Your Hair Extensions?
Clip-in hair extensions do not produce their own hair oils, which decreases how often you may need to wash your hair extensions. How often you wear your clip in hair extensions can also affect how often they need to be washed.
If you feel that your clip in hair extensions have started to get increasingly tangled or are getting more difficult to style, then you may need to wash them. Alternatively, if you wear your clip-in extensions regularly, you can wash them after a month or every 30 days of use. It is best to wash your clip-in extensions when you feel there has been an excessive buildup of hair products.
Items For Washing Clip in Hair Extensions
Clip-in hair extensions do not produce any natural oil like our scalp. This usually means that hair extensions require a lot more hydration than our hair. There are a number of products you can use in your clip in hair extensions to keep them hydrated and from becoming tangled and hard to manage.
Some of the products you can use for your clip in hair extensions:
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Heat Protectants
When styling your hair extensions, it is important to use heat protectants as they will prevent the hair from becoming dry and damaged.
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Hair Masks
Hair masks are a great way to lock in moisture in your clip in hair extensions. They ensure that the extensions stay hydrated and do not become dry and damaged.
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Shampoos and Conditioners
There are numerous brands that create shampoos and conditioners that are formulated specifically for people with dry and damaged hair. Using these products to wash your clip in hair extensions is a good way to keep the extensions from becoming damaged and ensuring that they are well hydrated.
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Hair Oils
Hair oils have been used by certain cultures for centuries, but recently, the use of these hair oils has become far more mainstream. Hair oils are some of the best products to add hydration and shine to the hair. Using hair oil in your hair extensions is one way to keep hair extensions moisturized and healthy. Some of the best hair oils to use are argan oil, castor oil and coconut oil.
Steps For Washing Clip in Hair Extensions
To help you clean your hair extensions and have them looking shiny and moisturized, follow these steps in how to wash your clip in hair extensions.
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Step 1: Brushing
After unclipping your hair extensions, you need to brush them out. The reason for doing this is to minimize the tangle that could happen when washing the extensions. It is best to start brushing out the tangles from the bottom of the extension and then work your way up. Using a wide-toothed comb or a brush with soft bristles is best to reduce pulling out the hair strands.
Once all the extensions have been brushed through, lay them together with the wefts stacked on top of each other. This while stopping the extensions from becoming tangled in the wefts of other extensions.
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Step 2: Preparing the Sink
Make sure that the sink you are using is clean before filling it with water. It is best to use lukewarm water as hot water will dry out the extension, and cold water may not remove all the buildup.
Add 2-3 small handfuls or pumps of shampoo and swirl it into the water to ensure that the product is properly distributed. The best shampoo to use is one that is free of alcohol and sulfates and made specifically for dry and damaged or colour treated hair.
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Step 3: Shampoo
Shampoo the hair extensions one weft at a time, or you can shampoo all of them at once by tying all the hair extensions with a hair elastic at the top of the bundle.
It is a good idea to condition the extensions before and after washing them to keep them hydrated. Keep the weft out of the water to prevent any rusting, and wash the extensions gently in light strokes. Once clean, place them on a towel to the side.
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Step 4: Conditioner
Condition all the strands after shampooing the strands. Leave the conditioner on the extensions for a minimum of 5-10 minutes, and then wash out the conditioner from the extensions.
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Step 5: Hair Mask
An important part of keeping the hair extensions well hydrated is using a hair mask. Use a generous amount of hair mask and work it into each strand. Bundle your extensions and carefully coil them before placing them in a shower cap to allow the product to soak in and work its magic overnight. This will help to keep the hydration locked all night.
Rinse out all the product the next morning to ensure the extension looks and feels shiny and moisturized.
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Step 6: Drying
It is best to air dry your extensions to prevent them from becoming dry and damaged, and using a microfiber towel when air-drying the hair is a great way to remove any excess water and not roughen the strands.
Squeeze out the excess water from the strand and lay them down flat on the towel to dry. If blow-drying the extensions, be sure to use heat protectant spray. Brush out the stands before they are completely dry to prevent tangling.
Clip-in hair extensions are a fun and easy way to experiment with your hair length and with different styles. If you follow the steps in washing your extensions, they will last longer and look just as great as when you bought them.
Final Word
While hair extensions are a total lifesaver, they need to be well-maintained if you want them to last longer. Therefore, you should follow washing tips to add more volume, length and life to your hair.