Extension Maintenance | Petra Tuss Salon

Caring for your

Hair Extensions

You finally have your extensions, and you love your hair. You slightly remember some of the maintenance things we talked about, but not everything. Don't worry, I have you covered. I want to share some tricks with you so that your extensions will last as long as possible.

Now, your extensions may feel a little awkward at first. Imagine going to bed with a bobby pin in your hair, it doesn't hurt, but it feels uncomfortable or different. This is normal for a night or two when you lay down at night, but nothing should be pinching, pulling, or causing pain.

Depending on the length and number of rows you're wearing, it may be a little overwhelming the first time you wash and style your hair. So for each row, you're wearing, I want you to allow double, triple the amount of time it usually takes you to wash, dry, and style your hair, I know it's a lot, but once you realize how easy it is to maintain your look throughout the week, you're gonna love it.

Maintenance

It is necessary for you to return to the salon within my recommended time frame to maintain your extensions. Your extensions will move further away from the scalp as your hair grows. Appointments not maintained within the recommended time frame run the risk of tension on your natural hair, tangling, and matting. If you experience extreme shedding or tension or something has slipped, please contact me immediately.

Sleeping

Before bed, brush your extensions and apply oil. Sleep with your hair in two braids or rope-braids, or a loose bun on top of your head. NEVER go to sleep with wet extensions. Doing so will cause matting or tangled hair. For an extra layer of protection, sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase and/or with a silk wrap/scarf/bonnet.

*Bonus tip: apply your dry shampoo before bed to help absorb oil from the start.

Brushing

Brushing your extensions is one of the most critical aftercare steps with extensions. First, while holding your hair in a ponytail using your extension-specific brush, begin brushing from the ends towards your hand. Once the ponytail is detangled, release your hair. Next, while holding your wefts at the top, close to your scalp, begin brushing from the ends of your hair up towards your scalp. This will reduce tension on your scalp, damaged wefts, and bead slippage. If you avoid brushing near your scalp, your hair will start to mat. If you let that go, you'll likely ruin your extensions, and you'll have to buy new hair.

Helpful Tips

Remember to brush your extensions a minimum of three times per day.
Remember to be gentle with your extensions so that snags don't start.
*Use your hands to feel your rows and brush carefully near your scalp.

Shampooing

Shampoo and rinse your hair in rows.

Before getting your hair wet Separate your rows and detangle each row from the ends up to your root.
Starting at the bottom with your natural hair, clip everything else up until you're ready for that section.
Make sure you rinse each section individually and thoroughly.
Apply conditioner and let sit for a minimum of three minutes before detangling. Split your hair in half or quarters and detangle with a wide tooth comb from the ends to the scalp.
Once your hair is comb detangled, separate into rows and use a detangling brush, adding more conditioner as needed. Once your hair is detangled, rinse your conditioner.
Use a microfiber towel or t-shirt to dry your hair. Apply products and style as desired.
Use caution with using tinted shampoos/conditioners, as your extensions are extremely porous and will grab the color WAY quicker than your own hair.

Conditioning

Extensions are no longer receiving vital nutrients from the scalp, it is imperative to replenish that moisture.

Apply conditioner from mid-shaft through the ends of hair and extensions. Allow the conditioner to remain on the extensions for a minimum of three minutes. Rinse thoroughly. Replace your conditioner with a mask or deep conditioner every 3-4 shampoos to replenish moisture.

Helpful Tips

*Try avoiding adding conditioner to the scalp. This will cause slipping of your beads.

*Avoid purple or other tinted shampoos/conditioners, as your extensions are extremely porous and will grab the color WAY quicker than your own hair.

Products

After you have cleansed and conditioned your hair, you'll want to start with your leave-in conditioner applied to the mid-shaft and ends. Next, apply your styling products, saving your serums and oils for last to seal in any other products. Avoid any products with a high alcohol content, especially hairspray, as this will dry out the extensions. Finally, apply a few drops of oil each night when brushing and braiding.

Drying

Towel dry your hair with a microfiber towel or a t-shirt, using squeezing motions to avoid friction and frizzing.
It's ok to let your extensions air dry, but be sure to blow-dry excess moisture from the root/scalp area.
NEVER go to bed with wet extensions.
DO NOT blow dry your hair upside down. NEVER round brush extensions from wet to dry.
Ensure the hair is 80 to 90 percent dry before using a round brush.
Working from the nape, start in sections, continuing up to the top of your head.

Styling

Limit heat styling of your extensions to 2 times per wash.
Be sure hair is 100% dry before applying any hot tools (flat iron, curling iron, wavers, crimpers, etc.).
Always use a thermal heat protectant to protect hair.
DO NOT turn irons above 360 degrees, as hair melts at 410 degrees.
Use dry shampoo to extend the time between shampoos.
Sleeping in braids or rope braids can extend the life of your style.

Sun & Swimming

You can swim with extensions, but it will shorten the life of your extensions. If you choose to swim with extensions, be sure to rinse your hair with fresh water and apply a leave-in conditioner before swimming. Doing this will help prevent water or chemicals from absorbing into your hair. Then braid your hair in two tight braids to prevent tangling—shampoo and condition as soon as possible after getting out of the water.
Side Note: Avoid AVOBENZONE and OCTOCRYLENE. Most sunscreens contain this ingredient. Extensions will have a chemical reaction causing them to turn orange/peach that likely won't come out. While we aren't spraying sunscreen directly on our extensions, sometimes the overspray or what's on our neck, shoulders, and back can get on our extensions. Most mineral sunscreens do not contain avobenzone, and a favorite is Goldie Locks Shear Mineral Sunscreen.

Troubleshooting

If you don't know, your extension wefts are hand-tied wefts; an actual human ties another human's hair to a string, strand by strand. This knot holds it together, and sometimes, it can get snagged or come undone. I can fix this quickly, but the entire weft may shed if left too long.

Also, if you're noticing chunk-like pieces of hair shedding, please get in touch with me immediately. Again, this is a quick fix, but it can result in a ruined weft if let go.

Helpful Tips

If you're experiencing extreme itching, I want you to wash your hair. Sometimes new hair can be sticking out from the packaging, but also be sure to blow dry your hair in a downward motion with the direction of the hair, and never upside down.
Are you going to the gym or for a ride in the convertible or just with your window down? Be sure to secure your hair in braids or a ponytail if you're going to do anything that makes your hair start to tangle.
Always keep a brush nearby to detangle your hair quickly.
Don't forget that your extensions are attached to your head. Please make sure you or someone else doesn't pull on it.
Please make sure you gently brush your hair at least three times per day.
When shampooing and drying your hair, be sure to work in sections. Working from the nape to the top of your head. Securing the rest of your hair up with an alligator clip.

Caring for your

Hair Extensions

You finally have your extensions, and you love your hair. You slightly remember some of the maintenance things we talked about, but not everything. Don't worry, I have you covered. I want to share some tricks with you so that your extensions will last as long as possible.

Now, your extensions may feel a little awkward at first. Imagine going to bed with a bobby pin in your hair, it doesn't hurt, but it feels uncomfortable or different. This is normal for a night or two when you lay down at night, but nothing should be pinching, pulling, or causing pain.

​

Maintenance

Sleeping

*Bonus tip: apply your dry shampoo before bed to help absorb oil from the start.

Brushing

Helpful Tips

*Remember to brush your extensions a minimum of three times per day. *Remember to be gentle with your extensions so that snags don't start. *Use your hands to feel your rows and brush carefully near your scalp.

Shampooing

Shampoo and rinse your hair in rows.

Before getting your hair wet Separate your rows and detangle each row from the ends up to your root.

Starting at the bottom with your natural hair, clip everything else up until you're ready for that section.

Make sure you rinse each section individually and thoroughly.

Apply conditioner and let sit for a minimum of three minutes before detangling. Split your hair in half or quarters and detangle with a wide tooth comb from the ends to the scalp.

Once your hair is comb detangled, separate into rows and use a detangling brush, adding more conditioner as needed. Once your hair is detangled, rinse your conditioner.

​Use a microfiber towel or t-shirt to dry your hair. Apply products and style as desired.

Use caution with using tinted shampoos/conditioners, as your extensions are extremely porous and will grab the color WAY quicker than your own hair.

Conditioning

Extensions are no longer receiving vital nutrients from the scalp, it is imperative to replenish that moisture.

Apply conditioner from mid-shaft through the ends of hair and extensions. Allow the conditioner to remain on the extensions for a minimum of three minutes. Rinse thoroughly. Replace your conditioner with a mask or deep conditioner every 3-4 shampoos to replenish moisture.

Helpful Tips​

*Try avoiding adding conditioner to the scalp. This will cause slipping of your beads.

*Avoid purple or other tinted shampoos/conditioners, as your extensions are extremely porous and will grab the color WAY quicker than your own hair.

Products

Drying

Towel dry your hair with a microfiber towel or a t-shirt, using squeezing motions to avoid friction and frizzing.

​It's ok to let your extensions air dry, but be sure to blow-dry excess moisture from the root/scalp area.

​NEVER go to bed with wet extensions.

DO NOT blow dry your hair upside down. NEVER round brush extensions from wet to dry.

Ensure the hair is 80 to 90 percent dry before using a round brush.

​Working from the nape, start in sections, continuing up to the top of your head.

Styling

Limit heat styling of your extensions to 2 times per wash.

Be sure hair is 100% dry before applying any hot tools (flat iron, curling iron, wavers, crimpers, etc.).

Always use a thermal heat protectant to protect hair.

DO NOT turn irons above 360 degrees, as hair melts at 410 degrees.

Use dry shampoo to extend the time between shampoos.

Sleeping in braids or rope braids can extend the life of your style.

Sun & Swimming

Troubleshooting

If you don't know, your extension wefts are hand-tied wefts; an actual human ties another human's hair to a string, strand by strand. This knot holds it together, and sometimes, it can get snagged or come undone. I can fix this quickly, but the entire weft may shed if left too long.

Also, if you're noticing chunk-like pieces of hair shedding, please get in touch with me immediately. Again, this is a quick fix, but it can result in a ruined weft if let go.

Helpful Tips

If you're experiencing extreme itching, I want you to wash your hair. Sometimes new hair can be sticking out from the packaging, but also be sure to blow dry your hair in a downward motion with the direction of the hair, and never upside down.

Are you going to the gym or for a ride in the convertible or just with your window down? Be sure to secure your hair in braids or a ponytail if you're going to do anything that makes your hair start to tangle.

Always keep a brush nearby to detangle your hair quickly.

Don't forget that your extensions are attached to your head. Please make sure you or someone else doesn't pull on it.

Please make sure you gently brush your hair at least three times per day.

When shampooing and drying your hair, be sure to work in sections. Working from the nape to the top of your head. Securing the rest of your hair up with an alligator clip.

Remember to brush your extensions a minimum of three times per day.
Remember to be gentle with your extensions so that snags don't start.
*Use your hands to feel your rows and brush carefully near your scalp.

Use a microfiber towel or t-shirt to dry your hair. Apply products and style as desired.

Helpful Tips

It's ok to let your extensions air dry, but be sure to blow-dry excess moisture from the root/scalp area.

NEVER go to bed with wet extensions.

Working from the nape, start in sections, continuing up to the top of your head.