Care Instructions
All shampoo, conditioners, styling and leave in products need to be free of Proteins. Check the ingredients list of all your products and DO NOT use if PROTEINS, KERATIN OR AMINO ACIDS are listed as an ingredient.
There are some sunscreens that will turn lighter colour extensions pink. In body and face sunscreens avoid the ingredients Avobenzone and Octocrylene.
For Tape extensions we recommend no Sulphates and Phosphates as they wear away the glue of the tape tabs and cause them to slide or fall out.
As extensions are not attached to your scalp they are not nourished by the sebum/oils and blood supply that nourish your own hair so you will find they can dry out especially with heat styling. They need to be hydrated and we recommend 1-2 pumps of a moisturising serum/oil at least twice a day. For Blondes please ensure use of a clear coloured oil as a yellow oil can affect the colour.
Why can't you use protein on hair extensions?
Protein disrupts the cuticle. Products with protein are only intended for hair that is already completely broken. Hair extensions are not. Your extensions need moisture because they are no longer nourished by your own scalp. Protein on your hair extensions can throw off the moisture balance making hair more prone to breakage, frizz and damage. Due to the fact the extensions have already undergone an intense chemical process you cannot use keratin or protein on your hair extensions as they are unable to absorb it correctly.
Use a protein free heat protector before heat styling to prevent drying out and shortening your extensions lifespan.
If you have accidentally used protein products in your extensions and they've become notty and dry please do the following;
While protein can strengthen hair, its use on extensions can lead to dryness and stiffness, as extensions do not benefit from the scalp’s natural oils. To restore silk-smooth texture without protein, focus on hydration and nourishment. Begin with a gentle, protein-free shampoo to cleanse the hair and remove buildup, followed by a rich, protein-free hydrating conditioner. Use a deep conditioning mask containing moisturizing ingredients such as argan oil, shea butter, and again make sure its protein-free to replenish and soften the hair. Avoid heat styling where possible, and apply a lightweight, leave-in conditioner to lock in moisture. For ongoing maintenance, prioritize hydration treatments and gentle handling to keep the extensions soft, smooth, and lustrous. Regular trims also help maintain the extensions’ integrity and shine.
Please also not that leave in product or heat protector can also contain protein. It is essential that all products are free from protein. Applying it once will damage the extensions and it will need treatment in order to get it back to its silk-smooth best.
Brush your extensions free of knots before washing or getting them wet. Hair is elastic and most fragile when wet so ensuring it is knot free before wetting/washing as this will help to maintain the strand integrity.
For weft extensions we recommend you section your hair to ensure that your natural hair underneath each of your extension tracks is brushed and knott free. It is very easy to brush over the top and think your hair is brushed but underneath each row of weft to become a knotty mess.
We recommend washing your extensions 1-3 times a week. Everyday washing and heat styling can shorten the lifespan of your extensions. If your own hair is oily and needs more regular washing then we recommend washing your crown hair forward in a basin. The use of Dry shampoo is another option if free of proteins.
Don't sleep with your extensions wet. We recommend drying off your scalp and the top of your extensions to maintain scalp health and to stop the tops of your wefts becoming compromised and causing mass shedding due to the constant moisture breaking down the top of the extensions.
If you're swimming with extensions we recommend wetting your hair with tap water first. You must prevent the hair tangling in water so tie a low ponytail then plait the hair and tie off at the end. Once out of chlorinated or salt water rinse with tap water immediately and apply conditioner to hydrate. Add oil/serum as soon as your hair is dry.
SHE-xtensions should last a minimum of 6months if maintained and correct haircare products are used. Lighter colours have been heavily colour processed so understandably will not last as long but with correct care and product use many are re-used for longer. Over time wear and tear from combing, treatments and general hair maintenance will lead to shedding of the hair. They are a human hair product so no 2 sets can be compared as there is the human element and the response to the extension creation process.
We recommend your extensions are adjusted every 6-8 weeks.