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5 Things That Damage Hair Extensions

damaged hair extensions

Fresh out of the pack, human hair extensions are soft, flexible, and beautiful. The strands slip between your fingers like silk, reflecting light with a shine and sheen that just begs to be shown off. But some factors, like your environment and care choices, can make your gorgeous, perfect locks fall short of their initial beauty. So how do you know what’s ruining your cuticles? Do extensions damage your hair? And what do you do? Read on! What follows is a guide to your human hair extensions’ top five mortal enemies and what you can do to combat them.

#1: Air Pollution

Nothing smothers your hair faster than smog, car exhaust, and even cigarette smoke. Smoky air contains particles that coat the strands of your hair pieces and dull both the color and shine of the hair. Worse, in different kinds of smoke and fumes, these particles are mostly bits of dangerous and drying substances like tar, ash, coal, and acids.

Your best bet is to stop smoking if you haven’t yet, and to rinse or wash your hair extensions a bit more often – up to three times a week – if you live in a highly polluted area. Better yet, rotate the hair you use each time you get a new install; this way, you don’t have to over-wash any particular set of hair, and it will all look better.

#2: Under-Washing

Trying to keep your new hairstyle intact as long as possible only makes sense. But leaving a hairstyle as-is for too long and not washing your locks is a huge mistake! Dirty hair looks and smells bad, as products, dirt, and everything else that touches your hair builds up, leading to dull, lifeless strands that are more prone to breakage. Yes, dirty hair is more fragile than clean hair, and this is especially true of hair extensions. Water always has been and always will be hair’s best natural moisturizer, and dirt simply blocks moisture from reaching the cuticle. So try to wash or rinse your locks at least once a week. They’ll thank you with super movement and shine.

#3: Harsh, Drying Products

You’ve read it here a million times before, but shampoos, conditioners, sprays, and gels heavy on alcohol, mineral oil, sulfates, and phosphates simply strip the natural oils and moisture from hair. The problem gets even worse when it comes to your virgin Indian hair extensions, as these virgin locks have never been subjected to any chemical treatments and are not meant to be “roughed up” in this way. Overly-harsh chemicals can destroy the cuticle of your Indian hair, leaving it no stronger or more beautiful than the average chain-store hair extensions. Try gentle, sulfate- and phosphate-free cleansers like diluted castile soap or a baking-soda solution, and check product labels for safe-yet-effective ingredients.

#4: Improper Handling

The major advantage of buying Perfect Locks Indian hair is the smooth, uninterrupted, unidirectional cuticle that gives you such a glossy, frizz-free profile. But improper handling – using the wrong tools and techniques to style and care for your hair extensions – snatches and tears at this perfect cuticle, pulling the layers apart and ruining your virgin weave. Make sure that you always use a gentle touch, as well as combs and brushes with appropriately wide teeth, and try to leave the heat styling to pros with tools that heat to just the right temperature. Also only use bobby pins when absolutely necessary, and never use hair pins that have lost their rubber tips (these poke through and break hair faster than scissors!).

#5: Mold

Fully and properly drying your human hair extensions is of the utmost importance. Many women think they can simply wash-and-go or wash-and-store their hair pieces and wigs, but you have to make sure the strands have adequately dried before anything else. Hair extensions that are stored while still wet are almost certain to sprout bacteria and other harmful organisms, and even on your head, interior sections of hair can dry improperly at the root or weft.

To combat this, always make sure to fully dry all your hair extensions by separating each track or fusion section and blow- or air-drying. Separating the strands allows air to circulate to every piece of hair and dry it, preventing mold damage. Double check wefts, especially machine-sewn ones, by pressing them against your thumb or forefinger. If there is even a hint of wetness on that finger, keep on drying until there isn’t.

Do Extensions Damage Your Hair?

Extensions can damage your hair if they are not properly installed, and it depends on how well you care for both your natural hair and the extensions. When considering hair extensions, it's important to choose an experienced stylist for installation.

To minimize the risk of damage, use high-quality extensions, follow proper maintenance practices, and give your natural hair breaks between extension applications. Trimming regularly and following proper hair care can maintain the health of your natural hair.

How Can Hair Extensions Damage Your Hair?

Hair extensions can be a great way to make your hair longer and fuller, but they can hurt your hair if they are not properly installed, kept up, or used too much. Here are some ways that hair extensions might hurt your real hair:

  • When extensions are put in too tightly or with harsh adhesives, they may cause stress on the original hair, resulting in breakage, hair loss, or damage to the cuticle layer of the hair.
  • Extensions that are too heavy can pull on the original hair, which can cause tension and breakage.
  • Chemical treatments, like dying or perming, can weaken both the original hair and the extensions. When you use more than one chemical solution at the same time, the chance of damage and breakage goes up.
  • Failure to care for both your natural hair and the extensions can lead to tangling, matting, and breakage.
  • Using too many heat styling tools on hair extensions can lead to damage, dryness, and breakage.
  • Removing extensions incorrectly can cause damage to your natural hair.
  • Prolonged use of extensions without giving your natural hair a break can increase the risk of damage. Continuous use without proper care may lead to stress on your natural hair.

3 Least Damaging Hair Extensions

1. Clip-In Extensions

Clip-in extensions are temporary and they are easy to install. They attach to your natural hair using clips without the need for adhesives or heat. Clip-ins can be removed anytime, so they create no stress to your natural hair.

2. Tape-In Extensions

Tape-in extensions are applied using a thin, flat, lightweight tape that places your natural hair between two wefts. They are less bulky than other extensions, and the application technique usually causes less tension in your natural hair.

3. Halo Extensions

Halo extensions are temporary extensions that are attached to a wire or "halo" that lies on the crown of your head. They do not use clips, bindings, or adhesives, making them a gentle solution for your natural hair.

Conclusion

So when considering hair extensions, avoid these things that can damage them. It's also important to observe good hair care practices to minimize the damage so you can use them for a long period of time. Consulting with a stylist is always recommended to avoid mistakes that can damage your hair.   

The good news, of course, is that human hair extensions have already finished growing, so factors like nutrition, hydrating your body, and overall health have nothing to do with keeping them soft and lovely. So you should be fine if you can manage to keep your hair pieces away from these five bad guys!

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Priyanka Swamy, Founder of Perfect Locks LLC

Priyanka Swamy

Author and Founder of Perfect Locks LLC

Priyanka Swamy, the visionary founder of Perfect Locks LLC, is a passionate advocate for empowering women and promoting cultural diversity. With an unwavering commitment to ethical sourcing and quality craftsmanship, she redefined the hair extension market and created a supportive community that celebrates individuality. Priyanka's dedication to sustainability and social responsibility continues to inspire positive change within the industry. Her journey with Perfect Locks remains an inspiration, unlocking the true potential and confidence of countless individuals worldwide. Connect with Priyanka on Instagram and LinkedIn.

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