Protect your hair investment! Learn the professional Do’s and Don’ts of hair extension care, including how to handle hard water, swimming, and maintenance schedules to keep your hair flawless.

Hair extensions are more than just a beauty accessory; they are a transformative investment in your confidence. Whether you’ve opted for instant length or a boost in volume, the secret to making that “salon-fresh” look last for months lies in your daily habits.

Just like any high-end investment, extensions require specific care to maintain their luster and integrity. To ensure your hair stays soft, shiny, and secure, follow this essential professional rulebook.

  1. DO: Prioritize Hair “Vacations” & Recovery

Even the safest methods like Hand-Tied, Tape-Ins, or Sew-Ins apply a certain amount of weight to your natural strands. For clients with fine or fragile hair, continuous wear over several years can sometimes lead to tension fatigue.

  • The Expert Advice: Every once in a while, give your natural roots a “vacation” to allow for unrestricted regrowth.
  • The Style Hack: You don’t have to sacrifice your look during a break. Switch to a Custom Halo Extension. Since it sits on a transparent wire and doesn’t attach to your hair, your roots can recover completely while you maintain your signature volume.

2. DO: Optimize Your Wash & Water Quality

How you wash your hair is just as important as what you use. Extensions lack the natural oil supply of your scalp, making them more susceptible to drying out.

  • Product Choice: Stick to sulfate-free, moisturizing formulas. Avoid “over-gunking” the roots, as product buildup can cause tape-ins or bonds to lose their grip.
  • The Hard Water Alert: If you live in an area with “well water” or hard water, be cautious. Minerals like copper and iron can react with the hair, making extensions brittle or causing blonde shades to turn brassy or orange.
  • The Solution: Install a high-quality shower filter to neutralize minerals before they touch your hair.

3. DON’T: Swim Without a Protection Protocol

New York summers often involve pools and beaches, but salt and chlorine are the ultimate enemies of extension longevity. Chlorine can strip the color turning blondes green or pink while salt leaches out all moisture.

If you plan to swim, follow the “Triple-Shield” method:

  1. Saturate: Wet your hair with fresh tap water first so it absorbs less chlorinated water.
  2. Coating: Apply a generous layer of leave-in conditioner to create a barrier.
  3. Secure: Braid your hair tightly to prevent underwater matting.
  • Note: For platinum blondes, the safest bet is to keep your hair above the water line entirely.

4. DO: Adhere to a Strict Maintenance Calendar

It may be tempting to stretch your salon visits to 10 or 12 weeks, but this is the most common cause of natural hair damage.

  • The Weight Factor: As your natural hair grows, the attachment point moves further from the scalp. This increased “leverage” puts more weight on your roots, which can lead to thinning.
  • The Golden Rule: Schedule your professional “move-up” every 5 to 8 weeks. Regular maintenance ensures that the bonds stay hidden, the weight stays distributed, and your natural hair remains healthy.

Achieve the NYC Glam You Deserve

Extensions should be a source of joy, not stress. By mastering these simple preservation rules, you can enjoy voluminous, high-fashion hair every single day without compromising your biological hair’s health.

At Custom Hair by Catherine, we don’t just provide hair; we provide a bespoke experience. With decades of expertise in the NYC market, we specialize in extensions that are custom-tailored to your texture, color, and lifestyle.

Ready to find your perfect match? Connect with us for a professional consultation and discover the difference of custom-crafted hair.

  • Email: Customhairbycatherine@yahoo.com
  • Phone: 917.482.6493