How to Care for Hand Tied Extensions Between Reinstalls
Caring for hand tied extensions comes down to gentle brushing with support at the base, daily oil on dry ends, salon recommended products and never sleeping on wet hair. Those habits keep your rows comfortable and your extension hair soft until your next reinstall. With good care, extension hair typically lasts eight to twelve months, and blonde six to nine.
Key takeaways
- Brush several times a day while holding the base of each row.
- Work a recommended oil through dry ends once a day.
- Dry the top of the weft right after workouts, saunas or swims.
- Go to bed with dry hair in a loose braid or top knot.
How should I brush hand tied extensions?
Brush thoroughly several times a day, holding the base of your extensions with your free hand. That gentle pressure keeps the brush from tugging on your own hair and the row. Start at the ends and work up toward the root in small sections.
If you have two rows, separate them and brush each one on its own. Tangles tend to hide between rows and at the nape, so give those spots a little extra time. Regular brushing is the single best way to prevent matting.
A few minutes of care each day protects months of beautiful hair.
Elevate Salon + Spa
How do I wash my hair with extensions in?
Wash gently with salon recommended shampoo and conditioner, then dry your rows completely. Focus shampoo on your scalp and let it rinse through the lengths. Condition from the mid lengths down, keeping heavy product off the row.
Our aftercare guidance asks you to always use professional products, including a heat protectant. The sulfate free Signature Elevate line on our retail wall is a good place to start. Once a day, work a recommended oil through your dry ends. Extension hair doesn't get natural oil from your scalp, so it depends on you.
What should I do after the gym, a sauna or a swim?
Dry your extensions right away, focusing on the top of the weft. Damp rows are where matting starts. That goes for workouts, steam rooms, saunas, beach days and lakes.
Chlorine and salt water are hard on extension hair, so avoid them when you can. If you do swim, braid your hair tightly first. Rinse with tap water before you get in, then apply a leave in conditioner. Be careful with sunscreen too, since most can discolor extension hair.
| Situation | Do this | Avoid this |
|---|---|---|
| Brushing | Hold the base and brush each row separately | Tugging from the root down |
| Swimming | Braid tightly, rinse with tap water, add leave in conditioner | Loose hair in chlorine or salt water |
| Sunscreen | Keep it off your lengths | Spraying it through the extension hair |
| Bedtime | Dry hair in a loose braid or top knot | Sleeping on damp hair |
How do I sleep with hand tied extensions?
Always go to bed with dry hair, loosely braided or in a top knot. Sleeping on damp hair is the fastest way to matting at the row. A loose braid keeps the lengths from rubbing against your pillow and tangling overnight.
If you shower at night, leave enough time to dry your rows fully. It's worth the few extra minutes.
A simple daily extension routine
- Morning brush Hold the base of each row and brush from the ends up.
- Oil your ends Work a recommended oil through dry ends once a day.
- Style with protection Use a heat protectant and keep your tools at moderate heat.
- Dry after activity After a workout or swim, dry the top of the weft right away.
- Braid for bed Make sure hair is dry, then braid loosely or wear a top knot.
Can I use hot tools and styling products?
Yes, with a heat protectant and moderate heat. It's human hair, so curling and straightening work the way they do on your own hair. High heat dries it out faster, so turn your tools down.
Keep heavy creams and oils away from the row, where they can cause slipping or buildup. Want extra help keeping your scalp healthy? Ask about our bond and scalp treatments. Learn more about the method itself on our hand tied extensions page.
When should I text the salon before my reinstall?
Text us if anything feels sore, pulls or starts to mat at the row. Those are easier to fix early. It's also normal to feel your rows loosen as your hair grows. That's why your first reinstall comes at about eight weeks, then usually every eight to ten weeks.
Please arrive at each reinstall with clean hair. For pricing on reinstalls, see the Service Menu. New to extensions? Start with our hand tied extensions guide, or see how care compares in halo vs hand tied extensions.
Is it normal to lose some hair with hand tied extensions?
Yes, a little shedding is normal. Your own hair sheds every day, with or without extensions. The difference is that those loose strands can get caught near the rows instead of falling out on their own. When you brush, they come out together, and it can look like more than it is.
Brush gently from the ends up, holding your hair near the rows so you don't tug at them. A soft clump of your own shed hair after brushing is usually nothing to worry about. What's worth a text is anything that feels different: a row that feels loose, tension or soreness at your scalp, or a patch that looks thinner. Send us a photo and we'll tell you whether it can wait for your reinstall or needs a look sooner.
Questions about living with hand tied extensions
Why do my extensions tangle at the nape?
The nape takes the most friction from collars, scarves, pillows and seat backs. Brush that area more often, keep up with your oil on dry ends and braid before bed. If tangles start forming right at the row, text the salon so we can check it before it turns into matting.
Why does sunscreen matter for extension hair?
Most sunscreens can discolor extension hair, especially lighter shades. Apply yours before you style, keep it off your lengths and wash your hands before running them through your hair. A hat is an easy way to protect both your scalp and your extensions on sunny days.
How often should I wash hair with extensions?
Wash as often as your scalp needs, using salon recommended shampoo and conditioner. Many guests find that fewer washes each week keep the extension hair softer. Always dry the rows completely afterward, because damp wefts are where matting tends to start.
Do I need special products for extensions?
Yes. Our aftercare guidance asks you to always use salon recommended shampoo, conditioner and heat protectant, plus a recommended oil on dry ends. Extension hair doesn't get natural oils from your scalp. Our retail wall carries the Signature Elevate line, which is sulfate free, and our team can help you pick.
How should my hair be for a reinstall appointment?
Please arrive with clean, dry hair. It helps your stylist remove the rows, check your scalp and reinstall snugly. Skip heavy oils at the root that morning. Reinstall visits include curl styling, so you'll leave with your hair finished and ready.
Questions about your extensions?
Text the salon anytime, it's the fastest way to reach us. When it's time to move your rows up, book your reinstall online.