Summer Care for Your hair

When it comes to hair extensions, maintenance is everything. Even top quality extensions won’t last if you don’t put the time and the effort into looking after them properly. Sudden or extreme temperature changes can be particularly damaging to hair, so it’s important that you know how to keep your locks shiny and healthy even in the summertime, says TotalBeauty.com journalist Kristen Oldham Giordani. This kind of maintenance doesn’t have to be an inconvenience – it can become a natural, normal part of your routine if you’re willing to give it the time.

Clip in extensions are especially easy to look after in the summertime, because they’re removable. They can be carefully removed, washed, shampooed, and replaced by you, in your own home, using nothing but the hairbrushes and products that you already own. Clip in hair extensions are a great investment for anybody who wants to experiment with longer hair, but avoid the costly, time consuming nature of the more permanent options. Here’s a guide that you can use to help you look after your clip in extensions during the summer months. 

Don’t Worry About It

There’s a lot of frightening information online about how much damage the sun can do to hair extensions. Ignore it – almost all of it is exaggerated and does not have to apply to your hair. It’s true that the sun can cause damage to hair extensions, but only if you don’t care for them and condition them properly. Almost all hair care experts agree that it is fine to wear clip in extensions in the summertime. If it’s very hot outside, do take precautions – tie your extensions up and don’t expose them to sea salt or sand. You are also advised to lay off the heat based styling products. Expert stylist Laura Superbi points out that tied up extensions don’t have to be washed every day either.

Take Them Out When Appropriate 

If you’re on holiday and you fancy a dip in the pool, it is acceptable to remove your clip in extensions. Do be warned though – the more you remove and replace them, the quicker they will wear. It is generally thought that chlorinated pools are more damaging to extensions that frequent removal, so do take them out carefully before swimming. You can swim whilst wearing clip in extensions but it is at your own risk. If you do, plait your hair beforehand and clean and deep condition your extensions thoroughly afterwards. 

Treat It Well & Often 

During the summer months, you are advised to deep condition your hair at least once a fortnight, says Examiner.com expert Larry Oskin. Strong UV rays can strip hair of its natural oils and the same applies for clip in hair extensions. Invest in a top quality leave in conditioner as well as a deep clean treatment and use both once a fortnight. Detangle knots with your fingers rather than with a wide toothed comb or brush – it’ll greatly minimise the risk of damage. 

Listen To Expert Advice 

If your stylish tells you to come back to the salon every 6 weeks for a maintenance check up, you must do so. Hair extensions simply don’t last if they’re not cared for in the proper manner and regular appointments are all part of the deal. Clip in extensions are less invasive than permanent ones and require less salon based care, but they do still need some expert supervision. That is, if you want to get your money’s worth out of them. 

Author Bio: Emily Steves is a hair care graduate and an expert on clip in and bonded extensions. She buys her own clip in extensions from Clip Hair. Emily advises wearers to protect their extensions with a cute summer hat when the sun is at its strongest.