How to Look After Your Hair Extensions: Erin's Aftercare Guide

Extensions fitted by Erin won't last if you go home and treat your hair the same way you did before. The fitting is the straightforward part. What happens between appointments determines whether your extensions look good for their full lifespan or start showing problems within a few weeks.

This is what Erin goes through with every client at the end of their appointment.

Brushing — and why it matters more than anything else

Brushing is the thing most people get wrong, and it causes more extension problems than anything else.

Brush from the bottom up. Work through any tangles at the ends first, then move up through the lengths. Never pull a brush through from root to tip in one motion when you have extensions fitted — this puts direct pressure on the bonds or the tape, loosens them over time and causes matting at the attachment points.

Hold the hair just below the attachment point while you work through the mid-lengths and ends. This takes the tension off the bond.

The brush itself matters as much as the technique. We wrote a full guide to choosing the right detangling brush here — it covers exactly what to look for and what to avoid.

Brush morning and night as a minimum. If your hair tangles quickly, brush more often. Leaving tangles in overnight is where the real damage happens.

How to wash your hair when you have extensions

Wash your hair as you normally would, but change how you do it.

Keep the water flowing downwards through your hair. Avoid flipping your hair forward over your head in the shower — the friction above the bonds is what creates matting. Stand upright and let the water run through from root to end.

Use a sulphate-free shampoo and work it gently through the lengths without scrubbing. Focus shampoo on the scalp and let it rinse through the lengths rather than piling the hair on top of itself.

Use conditioner from mid-length to ends only. Keep it well away from the bonds and tape. Conditioner sitting around a tape bond is one of the fastest ways to break down the adhesive.

Rinse thoroughly. Every time.

Drying with extensions fitted

Dry your hair completely after washing. Going to sleep with wet extensions will cause matting that is very difficult to remove, and in some cases means the extensions need to come out early.

Squeeze the water out gently with a towel — never rub. Pat the mid-lengths dry, then loosely pin the hair back from the bonds so air can get to them.

Use a heat protectant before blow-drying. Dry the hair around the bonds thoroughly. Check before bed that the bond area is completely dry.

Products to use and avoid

Sulphate-free shampoo is non-negotiable. Sulphates break down tape adhesive and loosen bonds faster than almost anything else.

Avoid putting oils, serums or heavy conditioners directly onto the bonds or the tape area. These soften the adhesive. Use them on mid-lengths and ends only.

If you use dry shampoo, keep it away from the bond area and brush it through thoroughly before bed. Build-up at the bonds causes slippage.

Sleeping with extensions

Plait your hair loosely before bed, or put it in a low, loose bun. This reduces friction and movement while you sleep.

A silk or satin pillowcase helps reduce friction on the hair shaft.

Never go to sleep with wet or damp extensions. Even slightly damp hair around the bonds is enough to cause matting overnight.

Maintenance appointments

Tape extensions typically need moving up every 6 to 8 weeks. Weft extensions vary depending on placement and how quickly your hair grows.

Don't leave your extensions past the recommended time. As your natural hair grows, the bond moves further from the scalp. The further out it sits, the more leverage it has when your hair moves, and the more strain it puts on the natural hair underneath.

Erin will tell you at your fitting what your refit schedule is and what to look out for between appointments.

If something doesn't look or feel right

Don't pull at a bond or tape weft that feels loose or is slipping. Pulling will damage the natural hair underneath it. Contact the salon and Erin will take a look.

The same goes for anything that causes discomfort — a bond sitting awkwardly or causing pulling at the scalp needs to be looked at, not left.

Extensions that last

The aftercare is part of the cost of having extensions. Done right and maintained well, they last their full lifespan and blend in completely. Looked after badly at home, they start causing problems quickly and can damage the natural hair underneath.

If you're thinking about extensions with Erin, book a consultation here. You'll come away knowing exactly what's involved, what it will cost and what you need to do at home to make them last.