How to Keep Hair Moisturized Under Extensions

Natural hair should be healthy before adding extensions.

Hair extensions add length and strength to natural hair and also protect the ends from breaking. As a result, hair extensions help your natural hair grow long. Because hair extensions absorb the moisture from your natural tresses, however, you should follow a routine to keep your hair as moist as your extensions. Most beauty stores carry the items you'll need to do both.

Things You'll Need

• Protein-based shampoo and conditioner
• Braid spray
• Herbal shampoo
• Scalp conditioning spray
• Silk scarf or nightcap
• Hair extension shampoo and conditioner
• Bowl
• Sponge

Instructions

1. Deep condition your hair once a week for a few weeks before adding hair extensions. This prepares your hair for the extra weight of the extensions and prevents hair breakage.

2. Make braids no larger around than a pencil. Braids too heavy pull on the natural hair follicle and create baldness.

3. Apply braid spray designed for hair extensions on your braids at least once a week. This prevents the extension braids from pulling moisture our of your natural hair.

4. Apply light moisturizing spritzer to your natural hair. Light spritzers keep your natural tresses soft and flexible without leaving a residue on your scalp.

5. Use light scalp moisturizing sprays to reduce itching and dryness associated with hair extensions.

6. Wash your natural tresses using pH balanced herbal shampoos to prevent buildup and keep hair clean and flexible.

7. Avoid shampoos with added conditioners. This type of conditioner rarely rinses clean. As a result, the buildup on the hair follicle breaks and damages the natural hair underneath the extensions.

8. Wash hair extensions using a sponge and bowl of water mixed with your favorite hair extension shampoo. This keeps the extensions clean and fresh, causing less damage to your natural hair.

9. Condition hair extensions using a sponge and bowl of water mixed with your favorite hair extension conditioner and braid spray. Like braid spray, conditioning extensions prevent the added hair from pulling moisture from your natural tresses.

10. Allow hair and extensions to dry completely after washing before going to bed. This prevents the hair from becoming soured or growing mildew.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a scarf or silk nightcap to prevent the hair from breaking off while you sleep. (See References 1)

• Do not leave hair extensions in for more than two months to prevent hair and scalp damage.

• Do not use a towel turban to wrap hair after bathing. This will prevent breaking and damaging natural tresses. Instead, use the towel to blot the hair dry.

References

• Grow Afro Hair Long: The Braid Extensions Regimen
• Going Natural: Taking Care of Extensions