How to Work With Hair Extensions & Corning

Hair extensions can be applied using a technique that incorporates the use of cornrows, or corning. Hair wefts are usually sewn into the cornrows, which are placed all over the head. The hair extensions usually look like natural hair and can be cared for in much the same way. This article will show you how to work with human hair extensions, applied using the cornrow technique.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Shampoo and conditioner
• Towel
• Hairstyling products
• Hair dryer
• Round brush (optional)
• Heating tools (curling iron, hot rollers)

1. Wash your hair using a quality shampoo. Gently scrub the scalp in between the cornrows using your fingernails. Massage the shampoo through all your hair, and make circular motions all around the scalp. Rinse well by using a shower head faucet.

2. Apply conditioner everywhere but the cornrows and scalp. The ends of your hair are where you really need the moisturizing. The exception to this is if you have an extremely dry scalp, you shouldn't put conditioner on it. Plus, conditioner can be harder to rinse out if it gets in the cornrows.

3. Towel dry your hair. Turn your head over and gently squeeze water from your hair. Stand back up, and lay the towel on top of your head. Gently press the towel down all over your scalp. This will squeeze the water out of the cornrows.

4. Gently comb out your hair. If you are worried about pulling the extensions out, grab a section of hair near the scalp, and pull the comb through the end. You should not feel a pull at your scalp if you are doing it correctly. Repeat this all over your head. This will prevent you from pulling the extensions at the cornrows.

5. Apply any styling product you wish. Since this article discusses extensions using human hair, you may apply mousse, a light styling gel, shine hair serum or any other quality hair product. Try not to put to much pressure on the cornrows when you apply the product to your hair extensions.

6. Put some pressure on your cornrows if you blow dry your hair by sections. You will have to. The reason for this is you must hold the hair dryer with one hand and the round brush with the other hand. If you choose this method to dry your hair, don't rip out tangles. Simply lay down the hair dryer and work the hair out of the round brush. For a gentler way to dry your hair, blow dry your hair by working the hair dryer through your hair until it is dry. Turn your head upside down for added volume.

7. Use heating tools on your hair to style it. There is really no way to avoid pulling the cornrows a bit, but that is alright since you have minimized the damage up till now. Curling irons, straighteners and hot rollers can be used on your extensions.

Tips & Warnings

• Have a professional sew in the hair extensions since she will be able to get a better stitch than an amateur can.
• Don't use any kind of oil on your scalp or extensions. It will just make your scalp and hair look greasy. If you use shine hair serum, apply it to your ends only.