You’ve received a new set of bundles and had them installed. You feel beautiful! As the days pass, you start to wonder: “how do I wash my hair?” Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to wash your weave as often as you would your natural hair. In fact, you could get away with washing once every week or two, depending on your lifestyle.
How often to wash your hair extensions
You may be used to having a weekly wash day with your natural hair. This may be increased if you’re used to working out, if you live in a humid environment, or if you just prefer to wash more frequently. With hair extensions, you don’t need to wash as often. With styles like sew-ins, you can wash much less frequently. Your extensions aren’t attached to your scalp, so they won’t have as much buildup as your natural hair would as you go about your day. Similarly, thanks to the protective coating and other precautions taken on hair extensions, the hair you choose to wear is better able to withstand the elements.
Some instances when you will want to wash your hair include:
- After swimming
- After sweating profusely
- If your scalp feels itchy or scaly
- If the hair has been exposed to the elements, such as rain or snow
How to wash your hair extensions
Depending on the length and style of your extensions, you may need to take a different approach to wash day than usual. As with your natural hair, focus on washing your scalp gently with a sulfate-free shampoo. Avoid harsh shampoos such as dandruff shampoos or medicated shampoo. Work slowly in small circles and be gentle with your scalp.
When you’re ready to condition, choose a conditioner that will help the hair retain moisture after rinsing. Deep conditioning is a great option. Then, you can apply a heat protectant and blow dry on low heat, ensuring that the hair and your natural hair underneath are fully dry. You can also choose to air dry your hair. We don’t recommend sleeping on wet hair, as this can cause issues with the hair underneath your extensions.
What to do after you wash
If you plan to use heat tools to style your hair, use a heat protectant and apply low heat. Avoid damage to your hair extensions by limiting the use of heat on the hair. Then, style as usual!
Hair extensions offer versatility and flexibility in wear and styling. With proper care, your extensions will last for years to come. When it comes to keeping them clean, use shampoo sparingly, only washing as needed. When you do shampoo, be gentle, and allow them to fully dry.