Hey Visitor!

DO NOT wash hair for at least 2 days after the extensions are put in.  This allows the glue time to properly set.  If the hair is washed before this there is more chance of bonds or hair falling out.

You can wash hair as often as you like but remember that the less stress put on the bonds the better, the less washing the better and the less drying through heat the better.  You can condition as much as you want right to the roots unlike many other salon extensions where it is recommended that you do not condition the roots or bonds at all.  Dry shampoo is also a great help as it enables you to freshen up your hair without washing. 

Hot oil can also be used to re-condition ends if required.  You do not need to use special products on your hair, raccoon products do not really make much difference, especially for the prices charged for them!  Leave in conditioners can be used as can serum and any other styling products.  if you have bleached blonde hair please try to avoid silver shampoo as this RUINS extensions (unfortunately I found this out the hard way!) .

Brushing

When brushing extensions try to use a soft bristled brush (available for £10) as this will cause minimal damage to extensions, a hard brush can often pull hair out,  brush gently, the more care taken the better, just don't pull at any lugs, try to tease them out.  Extensions should not get terribly knotted but as with your own hair they can occasionally get luggy!  You will lose strands of hair while brushing, this is normal (bear in mind you lose strands of your own hair every day naturally) the hair is just hair which has not been caught up properly in the glue or has come loose.  (Keep an eye on your hoover clogging up!)  Try to sleep with hair in a plait, this will minimise chance of knots.

Styling

The hair can be straightened, curled and blow dried.  When straightening try to avoid straightening over bonds although you will probably find that this part of your hair is missed anyway due to it being so close to the scalp.  Hair can also be cut and styled but when cutting please take into consideration where bonds are so you do not get the hair cut in a way which will expose the bonds.  You can dye hair but do a strand test first as different hair types dye differently eg your own hair may not dye the same as the extension hair or the extension hair may not dye as expected.

You can however do your roots while extensions are in.  The best way to do this is to dye around the hairline (where hair is seen if in a ponytail) and down the centre parting.  Usually this is the only hair seen, if however you wish to dye all of your roots then this is also possible but remember that the less stress and messing around done the better.

General

DO NOT pick at bonds, as tempting as it is when you are sat bored watching TV!  if you pick the bonds will loosen and fall out.  During the time they are in you should barely lose any bonds, the main cause of bonds coming loose is bad maintenance or picking.
Swimming is possible just make sure that hair is washed properly afterwards as salt water or chlorine can dry out the hair.

Please take extra care in all aspects of maintenance if you have naturally fine or thin hair as the extensions and bonds do put added strain on your root, by being gentle this minimises damage to your own hair, although extensions should cause little or no damage it helps to treat them with respect as it is an un-natural process which may take your scalp time to adjust to. 

 Damage

DO NOT believe all of the horror stories you hear.  As long as extensions are properly maintained and properly removed they will cause little or no damage to your own hair, depending on the quality of your hair to begin with.  Picking and rough brushing causes most damage.  Some people find that extensions have helped their own hair grow quite a bit over the time they are in!  Also see above regarding fine or thin hair.  This is all my honest opinion from which I have learnt during past experiences.  As everyone's hair and scalp are different the above is a general rule, I will not be held responsible for any damage caused over the time they are in if they are not properly looked after. If extensions do seem to be causing damage please do not hesitate to contact me.  I will not be held responsible if you find you do not get on with extensions and have them removed (this is very very rare)

Maintenance

Some people choose to leave extensions for around 2 months without maintenance and then have them removed and a full set put back in.  Others choose to come to me every 4-8 weeks and have a certain amount removed and replaced, or if there is enough of their own hair they just have more added.  The second option allows extensions to be kept in for longer as it creates a cycle, as there are always new bonds with new hair added old ones which may have malted or been picked at can be removed.  It is not advisable to keep extensions in for longer than 4 months as your re-growth can get matted and make them harder to remove.  It is also good to remove them after this time to give your hair a good wash and colour if needed.

Holidays abroad

If you choose to go on holiday anywhere hot with your extensions in then please make sure hair is well conditioned if it is in contact with chlorine, salt water or high temperatures.  As with your own hair salt water and chlorine can cause hair to become dry so the hair will need conditioning and thoroughly washing after a swim.  It is human hair and needs looking after as much if not more than your own hair.  Re-Hydrating products are good as are and deep conditioning treatments. It helps to just leave your hair  to its own devices, straightening it is difficult as it tends to dry out even more with the heat.  Personally I think the best thing to do is wet your hair, run mousse through it and leave it to dry, it may be wavey but it does not need any other products putting on it and it takes the least time and looks the best, it also lasts longer than straightening.

Removal

If you choose to have your extensions removed elsewhere please ask me for a removal info sheet.  I sell removal products if you wish to do it yourself but you must be very patient and gentle so as not to damage your hair.  If you have another salon remove them make sure the correct remover is used as most removers are designed for a different glue which salons use and is not strong enough to remove my bonds, I can sell a bottle of remover for your salon to use if required. Orange oil will not get extensions out, nor will any type of oil.  Please make sure your chosen salon removes properly as I WILL NOT be held responsible for any damage caused, extension removal should cause very very little or no pain at all if done correctly, it should never hurt or tug at your own hair and roots, this is what causes damage and is the reason extensions get a bad reputation for ruining hair.  As the salon didn't do the extensions they may be rough during removal then place any blame on me for any damage caused.

Problems

Extensions NEED maintaining and looking after, you cant have extensions because you think it is an easy way out of doing your own hair.  They need conditioning, gentle brushing and straightening.  They are not good for a hectic lifestyle!  You have to be willing to spend time on them and have patience to look after them otherwise they will not stay in good condition.  Longer extensions tend to be harder to look after than shorter ones (16" or shorter)

At first it may be difficult to sleep as your head is not used to the bonds!  It will not always be like this, after a few days you should not even know they are in.  It often helps to buy a soft pillow (cushties are best!)
Extensions may also itch for a few days, this tends to be just above the nape of your neck in the middle and around your crown as these are the most sensitive parts of your scalp, if this is the case please persevere as again it is your head getting used to the weight and bonds.  You cannot have twice as much hair and often 3 times the length put in and expect to get used to it straight away, some people have no trouble whatsoever but every now and then someone may have a sensitive scalp and it will take more adapting to.  Do not give up straight away or think the worst!

The hair will also malt, more so during the first week or so as this is hair which has not been caught up in the glue properly, I put twice as much hair in as a salon would to account for this so please do not think that the extensions are falling out as it is normal for them to malt, even though it may seem a lot at the time.

Over the time you keep your extensions in you may notice parts of your own hair come out with the root attached, this is only hair which has not been able to escape the glue bond which you would have normally shedded naturally.  We lose around 100 of our own hairs per day naturally and these hairs are the hairs which would usually have fallen out but cant drop to the floor because of the extensions, DO NOT worry it is not the extensions pulling your hair out!!

All of the information I have given applies to all extensions done using this method, whether done privately or in a salon.  Although some of it may seem a little off putting it will be the same wherever the extensions are done.  I am telling you all of the facts now whereas a salon wont tell you through danger of putting you off (charging £300+ they don't want to lose custom!) A lot of salons will do the extensions first and deal with any questions after.

I aim to provide an honest and friendly service to my clients as many become good friends!  I am always available to help or answer any questions you may have.  I have been as honest and informative as possible in this pack but if you feel I have left anything out then please do not hesitate to let me know.  I hope my information has helped in some way and has cleared up any questions or doubts you may have had about hair extensions!

Thank you!