How to care for a human hair wig? 5 steps

In order to keep your hair extensions looking beautiful and healthy, proper care is essential.

How do I care for my natural hair extensions? Which cosmetics should I choose? Mistakes to avoid?

Are your dreaming of long, thick hair? With hair extensions, you can change your short hair into beautifully sleek and smooth locks in just a few hours.

How do hair extensions work?

Hair extensions involve bonding natural hair with extensions - strands that look just like your natural hair. The bond between the two elements can be keratin bonding (keratin hair extensions), thin rings filled with silicone (ring extensions), or thin discrete tabs glued to the natural hair (sandwich method).

Depending on the method, the hair is either heated during the treatment (keratin method) or cold (ring method, sandwich method).

With regular maintenance and depending on the method/quality of the hair extensions, the effects usually last from 3 to 6 months. After the treatment your hair extensions should look phenomenal. Though how your hair will look in the following weeks depends on the quality of the hair extensions and aftercare. 

Tip: If you want to keep your hair looking beautiful for as long as possible, choose human hair extensions. Although they are slightly more expensive than synthetic hairpieces, they provide much longer-lasting (and more beautiful) results.

Difference between a human hair wigs and a synthetic hair wigs

If you plan on getting hair extensions, you will have to choose not only the technique, but also the type of extensions. Natural hair or synthetic hair. In this article, we discuss the differences between natural and synthetic hair extensions.

Natural hair extensions are UV and heat resistant. You can blow-dry, straighten, curl and colour your hair. Most synthetic hair is not heat resistant. Blow-drying or straightening can be very risky and will likely end up burning your hair.

The way your hair behaves when exposed to heat is one of the factors that helps to distinguish a natural extensions from synthetic ones. When burned, natural hair gives off a characteristic unpleasant smell. Artificial hair pieces usually burn with a distinct flame and simply melt.

It is generally accepted that natural hair is much more durable and damage-resistant than synthetic hair. Properly cared for, natural hair lasts longer and looks beautiful. When used for hair extensions by means of rings or keratin they provide a wonderful effect. Synthetic strands are very sensitive. They can fade under UV light, discolour, break, darken and often simply fall out at the point of attachment.

The way these strands look therefore depends first and foremost on proper care. By using gentle, moisturising shampoos and conditioners you can keep your hair looking healthy, beautiful and natural.

A characteristic feature of artificial hair extensions is sometimes the shine. Often it is too intense. Such hair tends to be unnaturally shiny and plastic to the touch.

Synthetic hair require more frequent washing and combing. Synthetic hair strands may frizz and tangle. People who prefer a natural, classic look will not feel as glamourous with synthetic hair extensions.

How do I care for my natural hair extensions?

If your hairdresser has done the treatment with natural hair extensions - bingo! With the right aftercare your hair extensions will look beautiful for at least six months and even longer.

You should comb your hair thoroughly before shampooing. It is best to wash your hair in the shower. The water falls from above and down through the hair, which helps prevent  tangling.

Wash your hair by moving your hands with the shampoo from the top to the bottom, remembering not wash your hair in circular motions! The moisture and heat of the water will open up the cuticles of your hair and as a result of washing in circular motions your hair will get matted.

The most polluted areas are the hair near the scalp and the scalp itself. Extended hair does not need to be scrubbed. Simply lather up with shampoo. Massage your scalp with your fingers.

Please note that you should not use a towel to comb your hair extensions. You should - and we advise you to - run your fingers through your hair and use a towel to pull the towel through your hair. Then roll your hair in the towel for a few minutes until the water soaks into it. It is best to wait until your hair is dry on its own.

If you use a spray wax or conditioner and then scrunch your hair in your hands with the product and you will get a wavy effect.

Special shampoo

In order to properly wash your hair extensions it is advisable to equip yourself with the right cosmetics - the right shampoo and wig cap liner will be of great help.

Conditioning wigs

Hair extensions also need to be cared for and properly treated with suitable conditioners and lotions. Extensions are natural hair, but no longer get the nutrients like before, but if you take good care of it, you will be able to enjoy it for at least 6 months.

Use a good gentle conditioner and shampoo with moisturising properties. Leave the conditioner in your hair for 3 to 5 minutes. REMEMBER: do not apply conditioner on the strand links/rings/tapes tabs – the hair extensions will become loose in if you do.

The tangled areas must not be tugged with a brush but gently separated with your fingers. Proper care is essential for the longevity of your hair.

Wig styling tips

After shampooing, comb through damp (not wet but not dry either) hair, starting at the ends and gradually working your way up, brushing down the length.

Combing is mandatory and it's best to get a special brush to make this task easier. The hair should be plaited overnight. Try to use alcohol-free cosmetics.

If you use a straighteners or a curling iron, do not heat your hair at the roots, where the connections are. If you want to have curls or waves in your hair extensions, we recommend the use of rollers or curling irons. When straightening, curling, crimping or drying your hair with a hairdryer we recommend the use of a wax or spray conditioner - the result? Your hair will be shiny and protected.

- Before shampooing, comb your hair thoroughly, separating each strand as much as possible.

- To wash your extensions, use only mild, moisturising shampoo and lukewarm water. The water should preferably be directed from above so that it first washes the top of your head and then runs gently down the lengths.

Tip: When you wash your hair, focus on your scalp as this is where most of the impurities are. Do not rub the appendages and do not try to massage the shampoo into them. The scalp massage lather will do the trick.

- After washing, massage a conditioner into your strands once every few days, use a highly moisturising mask. If possible, use products dedicated to hair extensions. These are the best suited to meet the specific needs of extensions.

Tip: When applying conditioners and masks, avoid the connecting points. The active ingredients of cosmetics may weaken the bonds.

- Brush your hair with a professional brush several times a day. This keeps your hair smooth and prevents individual strands from tangling. Regularly separate the hair seam (especially if you have keratin or ring extensions). This will prevent strands of hair from knotting up close to the scalp.

- Do not use a towel after shampooing. Instead, wrap your hair in a cocoon and allow it to calmly soak up the excess water.