Looking after your hair extensions is essential if you want to get the most out of them. Our luxury Russian hair extensions can last for up to 5 years with frequent maintenance appointments and a good aftercare routine. Washing your hair extensions is a huge part of this process.
We ensure that all of our clients leave the salon knowing exactly how to look after their extensions, to keep them looking salon-fresh for longer. Choosing the right shampoo is key to this!
We talk you through everything you need to know about the best shampoo for hair extensions.
What Shampoo Should I Use for Hair Extensions?
Choosing the right shampoo for your hair extensions helps to maintain smoothness and keep them looking super glossy. If you do not use the correct shampoo, or if you wash your hair too frequently, both your natural hair and your hair extensions could dry out.
As our hair extensions are made from 100% human hair, if they dry out they may become brittle. This can result in breakages. The more damaged your extensions become, the worse they are going to look!
To ensure that your extensions stay looking gorgeous for longer try to wash your hair 1-2 times a week with a sulfate-free shampoo. Sulfates are salts that are used to help the shampoo foam. They have no use in terms of shampoo effectiveness, in fact, they actually cause damage to the hair, stripping it of its natural oils, leaving it dehydrated. We do not even recommend the use of shampoos containing sulfates for those without hair extensions.
Here at The Hair Alchemist, we only use Neal and Wolf shampoo, as it is sulfate, paraben, TEA, DEA and cruelty free!
Do I Need Special Shampoo for Hair Extensions?
This is something we get asked a lot, and it depends on what you mean by ‘special’. There is no particular ‘best hair extension shampoo,’ we simply recommend a shampoo that is good for the hair in general. There are so many hair care products out there and not all of them will be suitable!
Different products have different purposes, and will work differently for different people. There are certain factors that we can recommend that have been proven to help protect the health of your natural hair and look after your hair extensions, however, you will have to find the shampoo that works best for you!
When washing your hair extensions, you should treat them as if they were your natural hair. After all, they are made from 100% human hair and should therefore be cared for as such. If anything, hair extensions will require more intense care to keep them in great condition as they are not connected to the root and so will not receive nourishing oils.
It’s no secret that the best quality hair extensions can be expensive, so you are going to want to look after them! We see them as an investment; something to protect and care for.
When choosing your hair extension shampoo, look for a high-quality product. You don’t have to spend a fortune but don’t go cheap. Most of the shampoos you can find in the supermarket will contain sulfates that could damage your hair extensions. You need to look for a product that has high-quality ingredients and will clean and protect your hair adequately.
Can You Use Normal Shampoo on Hair Extensions?
The answer is yes…the shampoo we recommend for washing your hair extensions has not been specifically designed for this purpose therefore, it could be classed as a ‘normal’ shampoo. The difference is that it has been specifically formulated to ensure hair is not only thoroughly cleaned, but is also protected in the process.
If by ‘normal’ shampoo, however, you mean products commonly found on the supermarket shelves, in most cases the answer would be no. As mentioned above, most of these products contain sulfates and could cause your extensions to become dry, brittle and prone to breakages.
We recommend Neal and Wolf shampoos, which are available to buy from The Hair Alchemist salon. They are tried and tested by us, and are the products we use during all of our hair extension appointments. You may also be able to find suitable sulfate-free shampoos, ideal for hair extensions, from dedicated beauty retailers, or online.
What Shampoo Should Not be Used on Hair Extensions?
Do not use any shampoo that could potentially cause damage to your hair extensions. Always check the ingredients before buying hair extension shampoo and put down any product that contains sulfates.
You should also be wary of cheap products. A high-quality shampoo that is going to be good for your hair extensions is likely not going to be under £5. You don’t have to break the bank, just make sure you buy from a reputable brand and check product reviews first.
If in doubt, get in touch. We have a team of hair extension experts on hand to offer advice, to ensure all of our clients know exactly how to keep their hair extensions looking gorgeous.
Don’t have hair extensions yet? Book in for a free consultation appointment.