To get the most out of your hair extensions, wigs and toppers, proper care is essential. With the right maintenance routine, you can keep your hairpiece looking fresh, natural, and beautiful for longer.
The bottom line the better you care for them the longer they will last.
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Washing
Extensions
We always recommend brushing through your extensions prior to washing them.
A detangling style brush is best. Brush from the ends and work your way up ensuring you get between each row of extensions thoroughly.
When washing gently lather the shampoo don't rub too vigorously as you will risk matting the extensions.
Follow with conditioner or treatment avoiding the bonds of the extensions to prevent them slipping.
It is very important that you thoroughly rinse all the product from your hair to avoid build up.
If you have tape extensions you cannot wash your hair for 48hours following installation. It’s also important to at the least dry the tops of your extensions after washing, you can let the ends air dry.
wigs & toppers
We advise washing your Topper or Wig once every twenty or so wears, unless you are heavy handed with product or want to change the style often then more frequent washing will be necessary. The more washing & styling you do to your Wig or Topper the shorter her lifespan will be.
We always recommend brushing through your piece prior to washing it.
A detangling style brush is best. Brush from the ends and work your way up.
When washing gently lather the shampoo in a downward motion don't rub too vigorously as you will risk matting your piece. Alternatively you can add the shampoo to a sink of warm water and dip your piece in the water.
Follow with conditioner or treatment avoiding the cap of your Wig or Topper to prevent loosening the knots where the hair is attached to your piece.
It is very important that you thoroughly rinse all the product from the hair to avoid build up.
We also offer a launder service at our Melbourne studio where you can bring your Wig or Topper to us for washing and styling.
Products & Styling
The types of products you use on your extensions as well as your wig or topper is very important.
Hair extensions including pieces like Wigs and Toppers react badly to products that aren't hydrating enough, products that are too heavy on the hair & ones that contain proteins and harsh sulfates. If you have a blonde piece be cautions of violet based shampoos, some of these can be very strong and can be very drying on the hair.
As a minimum we recommend a professional hydrating shampoo and conditioner be used with hydrating treatment.
Following washing on a damp hair piece we advise a leave in conditioning treatment and for hot tool styling a thermal protectant. All the products we stock are tried and tested on our Hair extension ranges and our Wigs and Toppers. We cannot guarantee our hair if products are purchased elsewhere.
Ceramic styling tools are best, we do not advise heat above 180 degrees. Tools that have a suction function are not advised.
To style a wig or topper a bald mannequin or canvas head with a clamp and T pins will make styling your Topper or Wig much easier. A plastic bald mannequin is best if you are styling from wet as over time the canvas heads will retain moisture and need replacing often.
Sleeping
Extensions
Due to our quality of hair we don not reccommend any specific sleeping instructions, you can sleep with your hair plaited if you wish & Sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase can decrease matting, frizz and hold your styles in longer
Removable pieces, wigs & toppers
Removable hair pieces like Clip in, Halo, Wigs and Toppers, especially those with clips are not designed to be slept in as this can cause tension alopecia where the clips are attach to the natural hair.
To store your Wig or topper piece when it is not in use we recommend a canvas head block or mannequin.
Swimming
Hair extensions
Chlorine, salt water and sunscreen can dry out and in some cases discolour your hair. When swimming always put your hair into ponytail or plait and avoid contact with the water or sunscreen on your skin.
Always wash your hair directly after any contact with chlorine, salt water or sunscreen followed by a treatment. Any discolouration or dryness caused by chlorine, salt water or sunscreen is solely your responsibility. Mineral or zinc based sunscreen is best, Avoiding the ingriedients Avobenzone (Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane) & Octocrylene
Wigs and toppers
Toppers and Wigs aren't designed to be worn swimming, as chlorine, salt water and sunscreen can dry out and in some cases discolour them.
Having a wet Topper or Wig on your head will also increase the weight and put more pressure on the hair it is attached to and has the potential to cause damage.
When in the water always put your hair into ponytail or plait and try to avoid contact with the water and any sunscreen on your skin.
Always wash your hair piece directly after any contact with chlorine, salt water or sunscreen followed by a treatment. Any discolouration or dryness caused by chlorine, salt water or sunscreen is solely your responsibility.
If you have multiple wigs or Toppers we would recommend using an older piece if you do wish to wear it near the water.
Maintenece
extensions
Maintenence on permanent extensions is best carried out every six to eight weeks.
Sometimes maintenence is required sooner if your hair is short or naturally fine. If extensions are not maintained at the correct intervals this can begin to cause damage to your own hair.
It is normal for hair extensions to oxidise over time, essentially meaning the colour will fade and need refreshing, this can be the case after 4-6 months of wearing your extensions.
In extreme cases we will refuse to re install extensions if we deem them to be causing damage due to maintenence appointments not being attended as required.
Wigs and toppers
Wigs and toppers other than washing do not require ongoing maintenence other than in some cases a colour refresh.
It is quite usual for the colour to oxidise, meaning it can fade over time, with every day wear and washing every 4-6 weeks we expect most pieces to need a colour refresh around the 6 month mark.