Hair Extension Aftercare Guide

To keep your hair extensions looking beautiful and to ensure the longevity of both your natural hair and extensions, please follow the aftercare recommendations below.

1. Getting Used to Your Hair Extensions

If you are new to hair extensions, it is completely normal for them to feel different at first. Most clients adjust within 1–2 weeks as they become accustomed to the additional hair and attachment points.

Following a new installation or maintenance appointment, we recommend avoiding tight ponytails, buns, or hairstyles that pull on the hair for the first two weeks.

Hair extensions are installed to follow the natural direction and fall of your hair. Pulling them into tight hairstyles too soon can place unnecessary tension on your natural hair and may feel uncomfortable. Many clients do not realise how much tension they are placing on their natural hair when wearing tight hairstyles.

2. Natural Hair Shedding

Hair shedding is a completely normal part of the natural hair growth cycle. Most people naturally shed between 50–100 hairs per day, although this can vary from person to person.

It is also normal to notice small, shorter hairs around the attachment areas, particularly with bond, bead and tape extensions. These are often naturally shed hairs that have become trapped within the attachment and are unable to fall away as they normally would.

When your extensions are removed or moved up during maintenance appointments, these trapped hairs are released and may come out all at once. This is completely normal and does not mean the extensions have caused hair loss or damage.

You may also notice small hairs with a white bulb on the end around the attachment areas. These are naturally shed hairs and are a normal part of the hair growth cycle.

3. Use Recommended Hair Extension Products

Using our HEB Hair Extension Shampoo and Conditioner is highly recommended to help maintain the integrity of the attachments and keep your extensions nourished, soft and healthy.

When shampooing, gently cleanse the scalp using the pads of your fingertips in slow, gentle motions. Avoid scrubbing the hair together, as this can cause tangling and unnecessary stress on the extensions.

Always apply conditioner, treatments and hair masks to the mid-lengths and ends only, avoiding the roots and attachment areas.

4. Brush Your Hair Extensions Regularly

Hair extensions should be brushed regularly throughout the day, especially:

• In the morning

• Before bed

• Before washing your hair

Always use a recommended hair extension brush, such as the HEB Extension Brush or a soft boar bristle brush.

Hold the hair at the roots and gently brush from the ends, gradually working your way upwards.

5. Never Brush Extensions When Wet

Do not brush your hair extensions when they are wet. Always dry the roots first, hold the hair securely and gently brush from the ends upwards to avoid unnecessary tension.

6. Do Not Sleep With Wet or Damp Hair

Always ensure your hair is completely dry before going to bed. Sleeping with wet or damp hair can cause tangling, matting and unnecessary stress on both your natural hair and the extension attachments.

7. Do Not Tie Your Hair Up While Wet or Damp

Avoid putting your hair into a bun, ponytail or braid while it is wet or damp.

The attachment areas need to dry fully after washing, and tying the hair up can trap moisture around the roots and extension attachments.

Always allow the roots and attachment areas to dry completely before tying your hair up.

8. Night-Time Care

For sleeping, we recommend wearing your hair in a loose braid or a loose low ponytail to minimise tangling while you sleep.

For the first two weeks after installation or maintenance, some clients may find it more comfortable to wear their hair down while sleeping until they become accustomed to the extensions.

9. Avoid Oils on the Attachment Areas

Do not apply oils, masks, treatments or serums directly to the roots or attachment areas.

These products should only be applied to the mid-lengths and ends of the hair.

10. Heat Styling Precautions

Avoid placing straighteners, curling wands or other heated styling tools directly onto the bonds, tapes, beads or attachment points.

Blow-drying is perfectly fine.

Always use a heat protectant spray and keep styling tools on a low to medium heat setting whenever possible.

11. Sunscreen, Fake Tan & Product Warning

Many sunscreens, fake tanning products, moisturisers and cosmetic products contain an ingredient called Avobenzone (Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane).

This ingredient can react with hair extensions and may cause blonde, balayage or lighter-coloured extensions to develop pink, peach, orange or discoloured tones that can be extremely difficult or sometimes impossible to remove.

To prevent staining, always keep your hair tied up and away from sunscreen, fake tan, body moisturisers and cosmetic products. Avoid allowing your hair extensions to come into contact with your skin after applying these products.

We strongly recommend washing your hands after applying sunscreen or tanning products and before touching your hair extensions.

12. Swimming Aftercare

If you have blonde hair extensions, take extra care when swimming. Chlorine, pool chemicals and other water treatments can cause blonde extensions to become discoloured or change colour.

Always wash and thoroughly dry your hair after swimming to remove chlorine, salt water, sunscreen residue and other chemicals that may affect the condition of your extensions.

13. Keep Extensions Nourished

Using a leave-in conditioner or serum on the mid-lengths and ends will help keep your hair extensions hydrated, smooth and manageable.

14. Regular Maintenance Is Essential

Regular maintenance appointments every 6–8 weeks are required to ensure your extensions remain secure, comfortable and in the best possible condition.

Failure to attend regular maintenance appointments may result in tangling, matting and unnecessary stress being placed on your natural hair.