Every hair deserves a good care. Even your hair extensions, whether they are sew-in, glue-in, tape-in or clip-in, need a proper hair care process to last longer and appear more beautiful. What are the general tips for caring hair extensions? Have a look now.

Wash your hair correctly

If you can, try not to wash your hair every day. Daily baths and showers will strip your hair of its natural oils. You might thoroughly know your hair extensions already lack tons of oil when they are separated from the scalp, so wash your hair every other day or less often if you can.

So here is the suggested process of washing hair (general – can be used for both hair extension wearers or non-wearers)

Massage your scalp with the shampoo and conditioner. Do this for about 40 seconds before washing it out. If you have oily hair, repeat the process once more (with the shampoo, not conditioner). When you massage the top of your head, the circulation increases and it also helps prevent dandruff. Use a sulfate and silicone free shampoo if your hair is curly or wavy.

–  Pour conditioner into your hand and rub from the tips of your hair to the roots. If you want softer silkier looking hair, leave the conditioner in your hair for a few minutes before you rinse it off.

–  Try to wash your hair on the coolest setting that is comfortable or at least try giving it a final rinse of cool water. This seals the hair cuticles (the outermost layer of the hair shaft) and locks in moisture, making it shinier. Hotter water may be used occasionally to wash hair, if you have very oily or dirty hair. Either way, try rinsing in cool temperature water for the final rinse

Dry your hair in a careful manner

Blow dryers can be more benefiting than air-drying if you use them correctly. When you blow dry your hair, put it on a cool setting and hold distance it away to protect it from any heat. If you hold the blow dryer too close, the water in your hair can begin to boil. This is why hair dryers are known to be bad, but if you use it correctly it is very good. If you can, avoid drying your hair with heat as much as you can; it will only age your hair.

–   Avoid wringing your hair with a towel after you get out of a shower. Wet hair is more fragile, and wringing it could cause your hair strands to break or fall out.

–   Use heat protection spray when you blow dry your hair. You should also use protection spray when you use hot rollers or a flat iron.

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Avoid brushing your hair while it’s wet

Wet hair is stretchier and has a tendency to break. Also, don’t brush your hair too much. People say that brushing your hair 100 strokes a day will make it smoother — but it will only cause breakage to your hair.

– When you do brush your hair, try a natural bristle brush like a boar bristle brush. These brushes distribute oils throughout your hair to make it softer and shinier.

– Only use a wide-tooth comb on wet hair. Apply leave-in conditioner or detangler to make your hair more pliable.

Give your hair some special treatment from time to time

– Apply a deep conditioning treatment. You can use deep conditioning treatments like olive oil, argan oil, avocado oil or coconut oil

– You can also purchase a hair mask or hair cream and apply it.

– Use a natural treatment like olive oil, mayonnaise and an egg or a soak in full-fat milk. Leave these treatments in for 2 to 3 hours and rinse them out thoroughly without applying shampoo or conditioner. You can do this once or twice per week, if you see  good results.

– Use a leave-in conditioner at least once a week. Leave-in conditioners penetrate deep into your hair cuticles to heal them more completely.

– Try a spray leave in conditioner/detangler after you shower. The conditioner will make your hair more pliable and manageable.

Go easy on styling products

Styling products can dry your scalp, if you use it directly at the scalp. Try not to use it often, but if you must, apply to hair strands and not the scalp. Then, style your hair at most 4 times a week to avoid damaging it.

Accessorize your healthy, gorgeous hair

Clips or barrettes can compliment beautiful hair. Coordinate them with your outfits or your personality. If you use elastics, use fabric-covered elastics to prevent breakage and tangles.

Especially, if you are wearing wigs or lace products, accessories can also help to cover the edges, making your look more natural.

Eat healthy foods that will keep your hair strong and lustrous

Your diet can also prevent hair loss

–  Essential fatty acids, especially omega-3 fatty acids, promote healthy skin, hair and nails. You should eat some of these foods, which are rich in omega-3, every day:

+ Salmon, tuna, mackerel, and other fatty fish

+ Flax seed oil

+ Walnuts, almonds, and milk

–  Vitamins B-6, B-12, and folic acid are also important to your hair. You can always take a multivitamin to get more of these nutrients, but you can also add foods rich in these vitamins to your diet.

+Vitamin B-6: bananas, potatoes (both white and sweet) and spinach.

+Vitamin B-12: meat, poultry, fish and dairy products.

+Folic acid: citrus fruits, tomatoes, whole grain and fortified grain products, beans and lentils.

–   Protein also promotes healthy hair. Eat a daily serving of fish, chicken, eggs or soy.