Keep Your Hair Extensions and Hair Treatments Looking Their Best – Expert Tips from Ottawa Professionals
Proper care is essential for maintaining the beauty, longevity, and health of your hair extensions and hair treatments. Follow these expert tips to keep your extensions looking their best and your hair treatments performing optimally between appointments.
Hair Extensions
Washing Your Hair
Wash with hot water to open the cuticle. Shampoo twice—first removes buildup, second cleans deeper. Rinse with warm water.
Apply shampoo to your scalp only. Let lather run through ends. Condition mid-lengths to ends, avoiding roots and attachments.
For oily scalp or sticky extensions, use clarifying shampoo weekly.
Important: Never wash your hair upside down, and avoid washing your hair or excessive sweating for the first 72 hours after your extensions are installed.
Temperature & Climate Changes
Weather changes can cause extra oil. Use clarifying shampoo weekly if hair is oily or sticky.
Blonde Clients
Use purple shampoo weekly, diluted to avoid over-toning.
Drying Your Extensions
After washing, towel-dry, then air-dry for 5–10 minutes. Blow-dry on high heat, moving constantly to avoid extension slippage.
Brushing & Styling
Brush daily to prevent tangles. Use a heat protectant before styling with hot tools.
Sleeping
Before bed, dry hair fully, then loosely braid or tie it to prevent tangling.
Swimming & Exercise
Apply leave-in conditioner to mid-lengths and ends before swimming. Braid or tie hair; rinse after swimming.
After exercise, dry tape tabs or nano-beads to prevent tangling.
Itchy Scalp
An itchy scalp is common after getting extensions and is usually not a concern.
Reduce irritation by following washing guidelines and using clarifying shampoo weekly. Wash more often with heavy sweat.
Maintenance Appointments
Oily-haired clients should reinstall extensions every six weeks.
We also offer a Touch-Up Service ($75), which includes maintenance for up to 5 tape-in sandwiches or 20 nano-bead strands.
Colour Fading
Extensions fade over time. Use recommended care and products to help preserve colour.
Removal Facts
Hair extensions do not cause your hair to fall out. During the removal process, you may notice hair shedding, but this is simply hair that has naturally shed over time and was held in place by the extension attachment. It’s also normal for your hair to feel thinner immediately after removal. This is your natural hair returning to its original density, and most clients adjust to the difference within a few weeks.
Hair Treatments
After your hair treatment, it's best to wait 48–72 hours before washing your hair to allow the treatment to set fully. For best results, avoid colouring your hair for 2 weeks after your treatment. When colouring is needed, opt for an ammonia-free hair colour to help maintain the treatment benefits for longer.
Choosing gentle, sulphate-free shampoos and conditioners can help preserve your results, as sulphates may strip the treatment and lessen its effectiveness. For best results, consider washing your hair only 2–3 times per week. Over-washing can cause the treatment to fade sooner.
Be gentle with your hair and avoid tight hairstyles or hair ties that pull on it, as this can affect the treatment results.
Whenever possible, minimize your hair's exposure to chlorine and salt water, as both can weaken the treatment and shorten its lifespan.
With proper care, the treatment can last between 4 and 6 months, depending on your hair type and maintenance routine. To help keep your hair smooth, soft, and frizz-free, use leave-in conditioners or serums.