How to Vacation with Hair Extensions

And just like that, it’s the official start of summer! Sunny days at the beach, hiking and camping in the mountains or a cooling dip in the pool on a sweltering day all sound great, but they can ruin your extensions. But the real culprit of damage to your extensions comes from above: the sun.

3 WAYS THE SUMMER DAMAGES YOUR HAIR

Just as the sun causes skin to age, it also will affect hair. You may have even noticed that your natural hair lightens in the summer through exposure to the sun. Remember…human hair extensions are still hair. Hair without the benefit of the natural oils from your scalp to keep it healthy. Just as overexposure to UVA & UVB destroys real hair…it does the same thing to hair extensions.

1: Hair surface damage

Excessive exposure to UV rays robs hair of both protein loss and pigmentation changes. This stems from the amino acid tryptophan, a building block of hair that decomposes when exposed to UV rays.

2: Hair surface hydrophobicity

Healthy virgin hair is normally hydrophobic [not readily absorbing water] however, when hair is exposed to UVB radiation, it becomes hydrophilic…it soaks in water. The old strand in a glass of water test indicates this.

3: Tensile strength

UVB radiation penetrates the cuticle and damages the cortex of the hair. This damage is measured by the hair’s tensile strength or susceptibility to breakage. If hair breaks or splits easily…it’s damaged.

The damage doesn’t end there…it can also photo age or temporarily wash out hair pigmentation in your beautiful extensions, turning natural brunettes reddish or blondes more ash. This effect also saps the vibrancy from even the best color service.

So what should you do about it? Find a fun and fashionable hat if you know you are going to hit the beach, or even better do some prep work before you hit the road!

SUMMER EXTENSIONS PROTECTION

Lengths and ends of hair can take a beating from extra exposure to sun, wind & surf and can become incredibly dry. Remember that your Perfect Locks extensions don’t have the benefit of your natural scalp oils to keep them hydrated, so a leave-in conditioner and hair oil duo is essential.

The Vacation Extension Guide

"We hear from customers every summer who had a wonderful vacation but came home to damaged extensions because they didn't make a few simple adjustments. The routine you follow at home needs some modification for travel - not more effort, just different priorities."

- Priyanka Swamy, Founder of Perfect Locks

Packing for Extension Care on Vacation

Travel-size essentials: sulfate-free shampoo, conditioner, leave-in conditioner spray, argan oil in a small bottle, satin scrunchies, a compact loop brush, and a travel-size anti-humidity spray. This covers all the bases without overpacking.

On the Ground: Daily Care While Traveling

Beach days: Wet extension hair with fresh water before entering the ocean. Braid or bun before swimming. Rinse immediately after. Apply conditioner before air drying. This sequence protects extension hair from the cumulative drying effect of salt water.

Pool days: Same approach as beach - wet first, protect, rinse after, condition. Chlorine is particularly damaging to extension color and should never be left to dry in the hair.

Activity days: Braid or low bun before any activity that involves wind, movement, or sweat. The 2-minute prep prevents an hour of detangling.

Every night: Satin bonnet or braid before sleep. Hotel pillowcases are almost universally cotton. This one habit prevents the overnight tangling that ruins extension hair across a trip.

Simplified Vacation Washing Routine

Wash every 5-7 days with your travel-size sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner. Leave-in spray daily. Argan oil on the lengths every 2-3 days. This simplified version of your regular routine maintains extension health through even a 2-week trip.