Having Long Hair Extensions is obviously a very quick change from short hair, and you have just bypassed years of a normally gradual learning process. Learning to look after them can seem quite daunting at first. I remember this feeling well! The best advice I can give is to follow these important points and your hair will continue to feel and look as sleek as when they were first put in. Your extensions are european human hair and must be dealt with in the same principle as natural hair. To explain this simply - When hair is washed the cuticle opens - this makes the hair feel coarse - all the processes of deep conditioning, blow drying, and straightening hair with irons are all ways of closing the cuticle to make it feel sleek and smooth again. With that in mind it is easy to get the desired effect.

WASHING - Whenever you wash the hair always brush it first - (very important) if you curl or scrunch your hair always brush it straight before washing. When washing the hair pat the shampoo with fingertips into the root and rub gently. (a creamy thick shampoo is best - do not use a volumising shampoo as this will swell the cuticle) Always wash your hair with the water directing downwards i.e. in the shower or sat in the bath with a jug or shower head. Lying down in the bath is not suitable. Use a conditioner every time you wash your hair - important only rinse the conditioner out to a point where your hair feels silky and you can run your fingers through it, do not over rinse your hair.

COLOURING - Both the colouring of your hair or the extensions is ok. Human hair extensions will take colour as any human hair will. You will probably only need to colour the crown area inbetween retightening of your extensions in 2-3 months.

SWIMMING - When swimming brush your hair first and then apply lots of conditioner to protect from clorine- tie the hair back prefferably twice - once at the top and again at the bottom to restrict movement in the water.

DRYING - Always dry hair with a hair dryer (do not leave to dry naturally) your hair cuticle is open and if your hair is left to dry by itself it will be coarse and could even matt. Use a hair dryer of at least 1500 watts and with a nozzle attached (important) . Angle the hair dryer and nozzle to blow down the length of your hair. Use your fingers only to separate the hair as you dry.

BRUSHING - Important - do not brush hair when wet when dry only, use a vent brush with flexible bristles (this brush ensures minimum pulling on the beads or weaves at the root of your hair).

STRAIGHTENING - If you like to straighten your hair with irons always blow dry first - use a good protection spray before straightening.

HAIRDRESSERS - You may go through a few hair cuts and some different methods of styling over the next week or so until you feel comfortable with your new look. It is advisable for the first few washes to use your hairdresser to show you how best to care and style your extensions. You will find when visiting a hairdressers you will assume and expect them to know about hair extensions and how to cut and care for them ect. Unless you go to a hairdresser which offers this service, like this salon - you will most definately be disappointed and find you have to teach them how to wash dry and straighten your hair, some are even scared to work on them. Hairdressers are not trained in hair extensions when qualifying and it can take some searching before you find someone who you feel has enough extension experience and whom you can trust.

MAINTENANCE - Hair extensions need to be removed every 2-3 months, every day we exfoiliate approx 100 hairs these hairs are unable to shed naturally due to the extension attachment keeping them in - this could cause the hair to matt if left in longer. The extensions move down as your hair grows, as this happens the weight will move further down your hair shaft creating tension on your natural hair. Common fears are loss of natural hair and bald patches! this can only occur if the hair is pulled out or if you have left them in longer than the 2-3 months specified - you must proffesionally have the joins soaked in bonding remover to break them down and release the extension. When this is done the extension slips out easily. The hair can be used again - it is common to cut and colour natural hair before putting the extensions back in again. There is no need for a break! unless you want one of course - "this is a myth" and makes no difference to the condition of your natural hair. Whilst getting used to weaves near your scalp - It is normal for your head to feel warm and itch slightly. A lot of body heat is lost through your head and the weaves have the same warmth keeping effect as wearing a hat. Weaves may also feel tight to the head at first, but will loosen over the first two or so washes. Weaves should not hurt or itch uncomfortably, please contact XS for any further or ongoing advice.