First DIY!

I know some people can get away with washing more frequently but in general it isn’t recommended. I’m not exactly sure what kind of hair you had installed but I know that in the past, when I have worn processed hair or hair that was silicone coated, I never had good luck with it and even minimal washing with gentle products would cause it to tangle. The reason for a silicone coating is it will give a soft, tangle free, shiny appearance to extension hair. It also adds additional weight to the hair so less actual hair can be sold for more money. So once you begin washing your hair that silicone will wash off a little more each time until eventually you are left with a head full of straw that looks like crap. There is no restoring it at that point and all you can do is get new hair and start over.

If that isn’t the case and you purchased better quality hair from the start, what I do is just lean over the sink and wash all of my top hair with a clarifying shampoo and leave the extensions alone. The extensions should not feel dirty or tangly unless you are having that silicone issue. In that situation, the hair can look and feel poorly at a month or even less.


Edited by krimsa - April 24 2008 at 11:37am

The clarifiers are more concentrated and soapy so they clean much better. They can be a little harsh so you don’t want to use them on extension hair but if your own hair gets oily up near your roots, it will take care of that problem. I have to be honest with you. I use drugstore shampoos very often like Hello Hydration on the extensions when I do a full head in the shower. There are some excellent products out there but I am wearing virgin Russian dark brown hair that was not processed so it barely needs anything. Otherwise, you might want to use better quality products and I’m sure you can get many excellent recommendations on the forum.

I live in New England so I know exactly what you are talking about as far as winter cold. It DOES take an extra toll on the hair because it’s so drying and then you come inside to a heated house and that’s bad also. What you can do is use a slightly heavier leave in conditioner just when you need it during the winter and especially on your ends. You will notice the hair will drink it up so it won’t feel greasy. That really helps.


Edited by krimsa - April 24 2008 at 12:29pm

Steph,