Hey, beautiful! We all know that wearing hair extensions is a great way to switch up your style, add some length, and protect your natural hair. But let’s be real: taking care of the hair underneath your extensions is just as important as rocking those flawless bundles on top. If you want to keep your natural hair healthy and promote growth, it’s all about the right care routine. Let’s chat about some key tips to keep your natural hair thriving while wearing extensions, inspired by some great advice.
Why Hair Extensions Are a Perfect Protective Style
First things first, let’s talk about why hair extensions can be an amazing protective style. When done correctly, extensions can help protect your natural hair from daily wear and tear, harsh weather, and over-manipulation. The key here is "when done correctly." Extensions can shield your natural hair, giving it a break from constant styling & manipulation allowing it to grow & reducing breakage. But, to truly reap the benefits, you’ve got to take care of what’s underneath.
Washing & Conditioning
One of the most important aspects of caring for your natural hair while wearing extensions is maintaining a clean scalp. A dirty scalp can lead to buildup, itchiness, and even hair loss. To avoid this, make sure you’re washing and conditioning your hair every two weeks. Use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo to cleanse your scalp and hair, followed by a moisturizing conditioner to keep your hair hydrated. You also want to maintain a healthy moisture-Protein Balance! Treating your hair with a light protein conditioner once a month is a must! This keeps your hair strong & resistant to breakage.
Moisture is Key
Moisture, moisture, moisture—did I say moisture? Keeping your hair moisturized is essential, especially when it’s tucked away under extensions. Dry hair is more prone to breakage, and the last thing we want is to take down those extensions and find damaged hair. Use a leave-in conditioner or a moisturizing spray regularly to keep your natural hair hydrated. A great tip is to apply the moisturizer directly to your scalp and braids or twists under your extensions. This ensures your hair is getting the love it needs even while it’s tucked away.
Low Manipulation for the Win
One of the best things about wearing extensions is the reduced need for daily styling of your natural hair. This is known as low manipulation, and it’s a game-changer for retaining length and promoting hair growth. The less you manipulate your hair, the less chance there is for breakage and damage. So, embrace the ease of extensions and let your natural hair rest. Just make sure that when you’re installing or removing extensions, you’re doing so gently to avoid pulling or stressing your hair.
Don’t Forget About Your Ends
Even when your hair is in extensions, it’s important to remember your ends. Keeping your ends trimmed every three months is crucial because split ends can travel up the hair shaft, leading to more breakage. Regular trims will keep your hair healthy and prevent breakage, which means when you take those extensions out, your hair will be ready to shine.
Our Favorite Hair Products for Natural Hair!
Sulfate-Free Shampoo Gentle yet effective, this shampoo cleanses without stripping moisture: Crème of Nature Argan Oil Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Deep Conditioners
For ultimate moisture, these must have deep conditioners:
TGIN Miracle RepaiRx Hair Mask
For Protein these are our favorites:
K18 Leave-In Molecular Hair Mask
Detangler & Leave In Conditioner
These detanglers make combing through curls easy & add moisture:
Aussie Miracle Curls Leave-In Milk
Heat Protector
TPH by Taraji Hot Commodity Keep your curls safe with this heat protector! A Holy Grail This heat protector is one of the best on the market & it also acts as a leave in conditioner! Who doesn't love a 2 for 1 special?
Ready to keep your natural hair thriving while enjoying your extensions? Check out the best raw hair extensions & lace closures & frontals at Prestigious Hair Co