Brushing hair with extensions requires a delicate touch and the right approach to preserve both the extensions and your natural hair. If you use the wrong brush or pull too hard can risk damaging the bonds and causing unnecessary shedding either.
I have followed these 5 easy steps and it did maintain my hair extensions for the longest and best look extensions ever! Let’s figure them out!
Can you brush your hair with extensions?
The short answer is certainly yes. Brushing is not only allowed but essential for maintaining the health of your extensions.
Without regular detangling, hair extensions are prone to matting and tangling. This will lead to breakage and unnecessary on your natural hair follicles. The key is not if you should brush, but how you brush to avoid compromising the attachment points.
You certainly can brush your hair with extensions
Why does proper brushing matter?
Beyond aesthetics, brushing is a functional necessity for the health of your scalp and hair.
Hair extensions are stationary at the attachment point, but your natural hair keeps shedding.
As we know, our hair sheds 50 – 100 strands per day on average. If you don’t brush thoroughly, this shed hair gets trapped at the bond or weft which forms a dense and painful knot.
Moreover, extensions are attached to a small portion of your natural hair. If the length becomes tangled, the weight of the tangle pulls on that tiny section of your natural hair. This situation leads to thinning your hair or even traction alopecia.
Since extensions do not receive natural oils from your scalp, they are prone to dryness. Daily brushing correctly helps redistribute natural oils from your roots, down to the mid-lengths. This keeps the hair hydrated and minimizes the need for heavy products.
Brushing is a functional necessity for the health of your scalp and hair
How do you brush your hair with extensions?
How do you brush your hair with extensions without damage is a pretty tough question but easy to handle with us. Follow these 5 steps to maintain longevity and prevent damage.
Here are a few quick tips for those who have fusion, tape-in or sew-in hair extensions.
Step 1: Prepare your hair
Before picking up a brush, use your fingers to gently separate any large tangles or knots near the ends of your hair. This reduces the tension on your extensions and minimizes the risk of pulling them out during the brushing process.
Caution: Avoid brushing when your hair is soaking wet. Brushing heavy, wet hair puts immense strain on your roots and can snap your natural strands or pull the extensions right out.
Always rough-dry with a blow dryer until your hair is about 80-90% dry to protect your hair. Especially on the roots and attachments before you introduce a brush.
Prepare your hair by separating them gently
Step 2: Use the right tool
Always use a specialized loop brush or a soft-bristle brush specifically designed for extensions. Those tools feature bristles that can glide over the attachment points without snagging.
Using the right tool is crucial for preventing traction alopecia or mechanical damage.
Step 3: Start to brush your hair with extensions from the bottom
Do not drag a brush straight down from the scalp. Instead, gather your hair into a loose low ponytail at the back of your head. This keeps the hair from pulling or straining where it’s attached.
Begin brushing at the ends of your hair. Hold the hair firmly above the section you are brushing to support the weight and prevent pulling at the roots. Gradually work your way up to the mid-lengths, removing tangles slowly.
Use a bristle or loop brush brushing your hair from the bottom
Step 4: Navigate the attachment points
Once the lower sections are smooth, carefully brush over the areas where the extensions are attached to your scalp. Use gentle, sweeping motions. If you encounter a knot, do not force the brush through. In spite of, stop and gently work it out with your fingers or by re-adjusting the brush angle.
Reminder: Do not forget the nape of your neck
The hair at the base of your neck is the danger zone for tangles. Because it constantly rubs against your clothes, so it catches sweat easily. That is the reason this area is easily matted.
Sectioning the rest of your hair up and out of the way allows you to easily reach that bottom layer and gently detangle it all the way to the root.
Step 5: Final smooth
Finish with long, gentle strokes from the ends to ensure the hair is smooth and the extensions are laying flat against your head. This process also helps distribute natural scalp oils, which keeps the hair looking healthy and prevents the attachment points from becoming overly dry or irritated.
Caution: Although the dry ends of your extensions crave hydration, hair oils, serums and heavy conditioners are absolute poison for your attachments (bonds/ tapes/ tips). The slippery products will quickly dissolve tape adhesive, break down keratin bonds or even cause sew-in wefts to slide right down your head.
Essential tips for brushing your hair with extensions
There are certain brushing techniques that will work to maintain your hair extensions’ softness and promote a frizz-free look. Let’s give them a quick look:
1. Brushing your extensions 2-3 times a day
Unlike the natural hair which absorbs oils directly from the scalp, extensions don’t receive those daily oils. This makes them much more prone to friction and tangling.
Brushing them thoroughly 2-3 times per day keeps the strands separated and prevents minor tangles from turning into severe. Moreover, keep your extensions far away from stubborn mats near the tracks or bonds.
2. Apply a detangler or leave-in conditioner to wet hair
As we have known, hair is at its weakest and most fragile when wet. Before using a brush, lightly rough-dry your roots and apply a proactive leave-in product to the mid-lengths and ends.
Some products are recommended such as L’Oreal Professionnel Paris Absolut Repair 10-in-1 Oil or Shu Uemura Wonder Worker Leave-in Conditioner. They provide excellent slip and allow your brush to glide through without snagging or pulling on the bonds.
3. Carry boar’s hair bristle brush for quick touch-ups
Tangles can happen anytime or anywhere with your extensions. Especially on windy days or wearing high collars, it gets even worse.
So keep a travel sized soft wet brush for tangling and a boar’s hair bristle brush for smoothing and adding shine in your bag is vital. A quick, gentle midday touch-up ensures extensions stay smooth and seamless all day long.
Last but not least, ask your stylist whenever in doubt!
FAQs
1. How do you brush permanent hair extensions?
To sum up with, brushing permanent hair extensions have these basic and easy steps like these:
- Step 1: Before reaching for a tool, gently slide your fingers through your hair starting from the mid-lengths down to the ends. This allows you to feel for any large knots and separate them gently without pulling on the scalp.
- Step 2: Section your hair and anchor the roots
Divide your hair into 2 main sides (left – right). Gather one side in your hand and grip it firmly just below the attachment points (bonds/ beads/ tapes). This creates an “anchor” so that any brushing tension happens against your hand, not your roots.
- Step 3: Brush from the bottom up
Start brushing from the roots 2-3 inches. Once that section is totally smooth, move your brush a few inches higher and work your way down. Repeat this upward progression until you reach the mid-lengths.
- Step 4: Glide gently over the attachment points
Switch to a specialized loop brush or a soft-bristle extension brush. Gently brush from the roots downward, allowing the bristles to pass directly over the bonds or wefts. Keep your strokes light and smooth; do not press hard against the scalp.
- Step 5: Check the nape of the neck
This area rubs against clothing and is the most common spot for hidden matting, so give it a final, dedicated smooth-through. Title your head forward slightly and brush the hair at the very back of your head.
2. Should I brush my extensions when they get wet?
You should not brush extensions while they are completely wet. Hair is at its weakest and most elastic state when drenched, meaning it stretches easily and is highly prone to snapping. Moreover, water adds significant weight to the extensions, causing extra tension and pulling at the attachment points during brushing.
3. What kind of brush should I use for my extensions?
Brushes you should use for your extensions like loop brush or a soft-bristle boar brush. Do not use the random hair brush. It is the fastest way to ruin your investment. Choosing the right tool is crucial for your hair extensions.
- The loop brush is the most highly recommended. The bristles on this brush are formed in unique loops rather than straight lines. Because there is no exposed tip, the loops glide cleanly over your tapes, beads, or k-tips without catching or ripping them off.
- Soft boar bristle brush: This is excellent for smoothing the hair and distributing natural oils down the shaft. This kind of brush flexes easily.
Final thoughts
Now you find how to brush your hair with extensions is not that complicated, right? With the right tools, techniques and some fine products, brushing your hair with extensions is quite easy now. Treating your extensions with care to get the long-lasting beauty.
Stay tuned to elevate your hair care routine with 5S Hair!
