Hair extensions are one of my favorite services that I offer.
They can add length.
They can add volume.
They can make your hair easier to style.
And honestly… they can completely change someone’s confidence.
But they’re also an investment.
Most first-time extension appointments fall somewhere between $500 and $1,500, depending on the amount of hair and the service.
The good news?
With proper care, your extension hair can last 6 months to a year—sometimes even longer.
The bad news?
If you don’t take care of it… you’ll be replacing it much sooner.
Here’s the biggest thing I wish every extension client understood…
Your natural hair is alive.
Your extensions aren’t.
Your natural hair is constantly growing.
It gets natural oils from your scalp.
If you trim damaged ends, healthy hair continues to grow in behind it.
Extensions don’t have that luxury.
Once they’re dry…
They’re dry.
Once they break…
They’re broken.
Once you fry them…
They’re fried forever.
There isn’t a magic product that’s going to bring them back to life.
So the goal isn’t fixing damaged extensions.
The goal is preventing the damage in the first place.
Let’s start with brushing.
Brush your extensions every day.
Honestly… probably more than once a day.
The biggest mistake I see is people starting at the scalp and trying to force the brush through.
That’s exactly how you create breakage.
Always start at the ends.
Slowly work your way up toward the scalp.
That way you’re gently working out tangles instead of pushing them tighter and ripping through them.
Your extensions—and your natural hair—will thank you.
If I could only give extension clients one piece of advice, it would probably be…
Oil.
Then oil again.
And when you think you’ve used enough…
Use a little more. 😅
Extensions crave moisture.
Your scalp naturally produces oil for your own hair.
Your extensions don’t get any of that.
That’s why I recommend using a hydrating shampoo and conditioner every time you wash your hair.
Yes…
Even if you only wash your hair once a week.
Conditioner isn’t optional.
I also recommend applying Moroccanoil Treatment Oil to your extensions once or twice a day.
Focus mainly on your mid-lengths and especially your ends because that’s where extensions get the driest.
A little goes a long way.
You’re not trying to make your hair greasy…
You’re keeping it hydrated.
Every once in a while, give your extensions a little extra love with a hydrating hair mask.
Think of it like a deep drink of water for your hair.
The more moisture you can keep in the hair, the softer and healthier it will stay.
When it’s time to wash your hair…
Be gentle.
You’re not trying to scrub your hair into a giant tangled mess.
Massage your scalp with your fingertips while letting the shampoo glide through the rest of the hair.
Keep everything moving in a downward direction.
The smoother you keep the hair while washing, the easier it will be to brush afterward.
Speaking of washing…
Purple shampoo users…
This one’s for you. 😅
Purple shampoo works great for keeping blonde hair bright.
But you need to rinse it out really well.
Especially around your extension wefts and beads.
If purple shampoo sits around the beads or the weft, it can stain the weft itself purple.
Take the extra minute to rinse thoroughly.
Your extensions will look much better for it.
Let’s talk about heat.
Extensions can absolutely be heat styled.
But they still need protection.
Always use a heat protectant before blow drying or using hot tools.
And remember…
Just because your curling iron goes to 450° doesn’t mean it needs to be there.
We’re styling hair…
Not baking cookies. 😅
The less unnecessary heat you use, the longer your extensions will last.
One thing I really want people to stop doing…
Going to bed with wet hair.
Wet hair is at its most fragile state.
When you toss and turn all night, you’re creating friction while the hair is most vulnerable.
That can lead to tangles, breakage, and a lot of unnecessary wear.
If you’re washing your hair at night, take the time to blow dry it before bed.
Or better yet…
Plan ahead and wash it in the morning so it can air dry throughout the day.
Air drying is perfectly fine.
Sleeping on wet hair is not.
Speaking of sleeping…
A satin pillowcase is one of the easiest ways to protect your extensions.
Cotton pillowcases create friction.
Satin allows the hair to glide instead of snagging while you sleep.
A loose braid or two braids before bed can also make a huge difference by keeping the hair from tangling overnight.
Ponytails and messy buns are completely fine…
In moderation.
We all throw our hair up sometimes.
Just try not to wear the same tight hairstyle every single day.
Extensions add weight to your natural hair.
If you’re constantly pulling that weight in the same direction with a tight ponytail or messy bun, you’re creating unnecessary tension.
Changing up your hairstyles helps reduce that stress on your natural hair.
Dry shampoo?
It’s your best friend.
The less often you have to shampoo your extensions, the less wear and tear you’re putting on them.
A good dry shampoo can help extend the time between washes while keeping your hair looking fresh.
If you swim often, give your extensions a little extra attention.
Chlorine, salt water, and even hard water can dry extensions out.
Before swimming, I recommend putting your hair into a braid and applying a little oil or leave-in conditioner to the ends.
Afterward, rinse your hair with clean water as soon as you can and add a little extra moisture back into it.
And finally…
Don’t skip your maintenance appointments.
I recommend maintenance every 6 to 8 weeks.
A lot of people think those appointments are simply about moving the extensions back up.
They’re not.
They’re also protecting your natural hair.
As your hair grows, the extensions move farther away from your scalp.
That creates more leverage and more tension on your natural hair.
During your maintenance appointment, I slightly reposition the wefts so the exact same strands of hair aren’t supporting the weight every single time.
It’s one of the best ways to keep both your extensions and your natural hair healthy.
Hair extensions are an investment.
And just like any investment…
The better you take care of them, the longer they’ll last.
A little extra brushing.
A little extra oil.
A little patience.
And staying on top of your maintenance appointments can easily add months to the life of your extension hair.
Trust me…
Your future self—and your wallet—will thank you.
Because if it’s something we talk about in the chair…
It probably needed to be said here too.
— From The Chair
