How to care for human hair extensions so they last

Human hair extensions have no roots. The natural oils your scalp produces never reach them, and they cannot repair themselves. Everything that keeps them soft, shiny and tangle-free comes from how you treat them. The good news is that the routine is simple, and it is the same whether you wear bundles, a wig, tape-ins or clip-ins. With proper care, Suvita hair lasts 3–5 years. Without it, any hair can be worn out in months.

Washing

Wash when the hair needs it, not by habit. For most people that is every one to two weeks of wear, or sooner if styling products or sweat build up. Washing too often strips moisture; washing too rarely lets product weigh the hair down and tangle it.

1. Detangle first. Before the hair gets wet, comb it gently with a wide-tooth comb, starting at the ends and working up towards the weft or bond. Wet hair tangles more easily, so never skip this step.
2. Use lukewarm or cool water. Hot water dries hair out and can loosen bonds and tape.
3. Shampoo the lengths gently. Use a sulphate-free shampoo. Smooth it down the hair in the direction it grows. Do not pile the hair on top of your head or scrub in circles; that is how tangles start.
4. Condition from mid-length to ends. Use a moisturising conditioner and leave it on for a few minutes. Keep it away from wefts, bonds, tape and lace knots, because it loosens them over time.
5. Rinse in the direction of the hair. Let the water run from top to tip until the conditioner is gone.

For a wig or clip-ins, you can wash them off the head in a basin, holding the cap or clips so the hair hangs down.

Drying

Air-drying is the kindest option. Squeeze water out with a soft towel, pressing rather than rubbing. Rubbing roughs up the cuticle and causes frizz.

• Straight and body wave: let them dry naturally or blow-dry on a low or medium heat, pointing the airflow down the hair.
• Wavy, curly and kinky curly: apply a little leave-in conditioner or curl cream while damp and scrunch gently. Leave to dry without brushing; brushing dry curls turns them into frizz.
• Wigs: dry on a wig stand or form so the cap keeps its shape.
• Installed extensions: make sure the hair is fully dry at the roots and around bonds before you go to bed. Damp bonds and wefts are where matting starts.

Heat styling

Human hair can be curled and straightened like your own. The same rules apply, and they matter more because the hair cannot recover.

• Always use a heat protectant spray first.
• Keep tools below 180 °C (350 °F). Higher heat does not style faster; it just damages faster.
• Pass the tool through each section once or twice, not repeatedly.
• Keep heat away from tape, keratin bonds and lace.
• Steam-set textures such as body wave straighten with heat and return to their pattern on the next wash.

Colouring

Remy human hair can be coloured, but always test on a small piece or one weft first. Adding colour or toning is low risk. Lifting dark hair to blonde is much harder on the hair. If you want blonde, start from a blonde shade such as #27 or #613 rather than bleaching #1B yourself; the reasons are explained in why blonde #27 and #613 cost more. Coloured hair needs more conditioning and less heat afterwards.

Sleeping

A surprising amount of damage happens overnight, from friction against the pillow and tangling at the nape.

• Never sleep with wet or damp hair.
• Put long hair in a loose braid or a low, loose ponytail.
• Use a satin or silk bonnet, scarf or pillowcase to reduce friction.
• Take clip-ins, ponytails and non-glued wigs off before sleeping.

Daily brushing

Brush once or twice a day with a loop brush or soft-bristle brush. Start at the ends and work up in short strokes. With installed extensions, hold the hair just below the weft or bond with your other hand, so the brush never pulls on the attachment or your scalp.

Swimming, sun and the gym

• Chlorine and salt water dry hair out. Wet the hair with clean water and apply a little conditioner before swimming, tie it up, and rinse thoroughly afterwards.
• Strong sun fades colour and dries hair. A hat or scarf helps on long days outdoors.
• After heavy exercise, rinse sweat out around the roots and bonds, and dry thoroughly.

Storage

Hair that is not being worn still needs care.

• Store wigs on a stand or form, away from direct sunlight and heat.
• Make sure clip-ins, ponytails and bundles are clean, fully dry and detangled before putting them away.
• Coil long hair loosely and keep it in a breathable bag or the box it came in. Do not fold it sharply or pack it under heavy items.
• Keep different shades and textures separate so they do not tangle together.

Caring for installed extensions

Tape-ins

Avoid oil-based products near the tape, as oil softens the adhesive. Tape-ins are usually re-taped and moved up every 6–8 weeks as your own hair grows.

Keratin tips and nano rings

Separate the bonds gently with your fingers every day so they do not tangle together at the root. These installs are usually moved up every few months.

Sew-ins

Keep your own braids underneath clean with a diluted shampoo applied to the scalp, rinse well and dry the braids completely. Have the install checked and tightened as your hair grows.