Taking care of your hair in the winter can be tough—with or without hair extensions. From a lack of vitamin D to the decreased humidity, these cold, dreary months take a toll on hair health and appearance. Hair extensions maintenance is important all year long, but it becomes even more crucial during the winter when your natural hair is weaker and more prone to breakage. Find out more about hair extension maintenance in winter, and how to protect your gorgeous locks.
Understand the Effects of Cold Weather on Hair Extensions
Not all hair extensions are created equal. Synthetic extensions require less maintenance, but high-quality wefts made with real human hair need lots of care and attention—especially during the winter.
Dryness and Brittleness
One of the worst parts of winter for hair extension maintenance is the dry air. Cold air holds less moisture, weakening individual strands and making them prone to breakage. At Hair Studio 7, we use high-quality Bellami hair extensions made with real human hair, which means they need moisture too. Winter dryness can leave hair extensions feeling brittle, dry, and dull without proper maintenance.
Static Electricity
During colder months, the dry air also leads to more static electricity. With less water vapor in the air, there’s less balance in the electric charges around you. Because hair extensions obviously aren’t attached to your scalp, they don’t benefit from the natural oils in your hair follicles. This makes them even more prone to static, and you might find yourself going crazy trying to keep them tame in the winter. Add friction from winter scarves, coats, and hats, and your hair extensions don’t stand a chance against static.
Matting and Tangling
All of those winter clothes can also be a nightmare for hair extensions getting tangled and matted. If you plan on skiing, sledding, or even just taking a stroll through outdoor holiday displays, your hair extensions could end up in a snarl. Brushing tangles out thoroughly can be damaging and lead to increased shedding.
Choose the Right Hair Care Products
One of the most important aspects of hair extension maintenance is choosing the right products for washing and styling. During the winter, focus on hydrating products with natural ingredients like:
- Argan oil
- Shea
- Aloe vera
- Ceramides
Avoid products containing glycerin, sulfates, alcohol, and heavy silicones. Specialized products like dandruff shampoo can also damage extensions.
Limit Heat Styling
This is a tough one, but the less heat you use on your hair extensions in the winter, the better. Heat exacerbates dryness and brittleness, so try more protective styling like braids, heatless curlers, and gentle twists. When using hot tools (including hair dryers), try to stay below 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and always apply a heat protectant beforehand.
Proper Washing Techniques
In addition to using the right products, proper washing techniques are also important for maintaining your hair extensions.
- Washing Frequency
If possible, try to limit washing to 1–2 times per week. This will help your hair extensions retain moisture. If you use dry shampoo in between washes, try to apply it to your scalp only.
- Water Temperature
Even though it’s cold outside, the water you use to wash your hair extensions shouldn’t be scalding hot—hot water strips hair of oils and moisture. Use lukewarm water instead, and seal in moisture with a shot of cold water just before leaving the shower.
- Gentle Handling
Always handle your hair extensions with care. Avoid vigorous scrubbing or scrunching while you wash, and be cautious when using any type of scalp massager. Run fingers through hair after conditioning, unless it is too tangled. A good leave-in conditioner/detangler can help smooth things out once you’re out of the shower.
Avoid Chlorine and Saltwater
You probably won’t be swimming as much during the winter, but if you do, make sure to protect your hair extensions from chlorine, saltwater, and heated pools/hot tubs with a swim cap. If you do end up swimming with wet hair, be sure to rinse out any chlorine immediately after you exit the pool.
Stay Hydrated and Maintain a Healthy Diet
Did you know you can improve your hair health from within? A pro tip for maintaining hair extensions for winter is to stay hydrated and eat nutrient-rich foods. This will strengthen your natural hair, allowing it to hold onto your extensions better with less shedding and breakage.
Drink plenty of water each day (drink every time you feel thirsty), add herbal teas and soups to your diet, and avoid excess caffeine.
You can also promote hair health by eating foods high in vitamins and minerals, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats.
Conclusion
Regardless of your plans this winter, don’t forget to include hair extension maintenance in your daily routine. Hydrate, limit heat styling, handle gently, use the right products, and cut down on your weekly washes.
Want to learn more about hair extension maintenance and installation? Contact us to schedule your free consultation with Hair Studio 7 today.
