How to care for your Larin Extensions
It’s important to get into a good hair routine from the start because good hair maintenance equals longer lasting extensions.
The information below is applicable for all Larin hair extensions.
With regular care and attention, you can ensure your hair extensions last as long as possible and stay looking healthy. So, if you want to learn how to properly take care of your clip-in hair extensions, read on to discover all of our care tips and tricks.
How long do hair extensions last?
Nothing lasts forever but Larin hair extensions can last a lifetime with proper care. They can range anywhere between 2-3 years or longer, depending on the general care they receive and how often they are worn. Remember, the more you wash and heat style your extensions, the shorter their lifespan will be, so try to keep washing and using products on your extensions to a minimum. The important thing to remember is that your hair extensions don’t have a natural hydration source like your own hair does, so keeping them moisturized and reducing dryness is crucial to prolonging their lifespan.
Hair Laundry service
Bring your Larin extensions to be washed, deep conditioned, resealed, wigged and styled for only £50.
Storing Hair Extensions
It takes only a minutes to put away your Larin Hair extensions and wigs , that minute can make all the difference to the quality and lifespan of your extensions. When prepping your extensions for storage, we always recommend brushing the set (please do not do this with curly hair).
Always make sure you store your extensions in a cool and dry place away from direct sunlight (like a closet, cabinet or dresser drawer). Also, ensure your extensions are completely dry when storing them to prevent mould and other bacteria from growing on it (ew.)
One option to store your extensions is in the storage box in which they come in. The Larin Hair box is specifically designed so you can keep and reuse it as a storage container for your locks. Alternatively, you can also use an airtight container or a shoe box. Once you have brushed your extensions out, gently roll the extensions or wig into a circle and place them into the box.
Quick tip: You can also even gently knot the hair together if you want a light wave running throughout the hair the next time you wear your extensions.
Whether you’re looking for a place to store your extensions while traveling, need to secure them while styling, or just want a more compact and multi-purpose storage alternative to the beautiful box they arrive in, the Larin Hair Extensions Carrier and hanger is the solution you’ve been waiting for, this will be available to purchase soon. It will help prevent damage and tangling, which in turn, increases the lifespan of your extensions. In comparison to the hair box, you can hang your extensions to air dry using the Hanger and Carrier. Storing your hair extensions in this way will also help maintain the shape of your extensions longer, which is great if you’ve styled the extensions and want to maintain the look for as long as possible.
Products To Avoid
One of the most important things to consider when taking care of your extensions is to ensure that you are using the proper products. This will make all the difference in whether your extensions will tangle or stay soft and manageable. Be sure to check the ingredient listing and ensure you don’t see the words: SLS, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Alcohol Denat, Ethanol, SD Alcohol 40, Propanol, Isopropyl, and Propyl.
Purchasing sulfate-free and alcohol-free products is a necessity. These ingredients strip the hair of its natural oils which, in turn, makes the hair drier and more prone to tangling or matting. Prolonged use of these ingredients can affect the integrity of the hair, shortening the lifespan of your hair extensions significantly. Remember, products that are free from sulfates might not produce much lather, as this is the specific ingredients used to create those soapy suds, however, these products will do just as good of a job cleansing your hair extensions without stripping the hair of moisture.
Always be sure to do one simple thing before you buy any product…flip it over! Many products out there have sulfates and alcohol hidden in their formulas. Not all companies claiming to make sulfate-free shampoos are truly free of sulfates. This is why it is important to know what to look for when reading ingredients.
Additionally, using sticky products such as hair spray, hair gel, or hair wax, can and likely will clog up your extensions. Furthermore, the more products you use, the more you will need to wash them. Remember, over washing leads to dry and tangled extensions. Also, keep in mind that the products that you use in your natural hair can travel onto your extensions from constant head movement and heat from your scalp.
How To Properly Brush Extensions
Make sure that you are always gentle with your extensions and that you brush them properly as this can also affect their lifespan. First, gather all the hair together by stacking all of the wefts on top of one another. Then, carefully brush out the extensions from the bottom of the hair slowly working upwards towards the root. If you come across a particularly pesky knot, take out the individual weft and brush it through gently. Never brush the extensions when they are wet as this is when it is the most susceptible to breakage. Instead, brush them before washing or once they are 90% dry.
Preventing Tangling
While Larin extensions are made of 100% Vietnamese hair, matting and tangling is a normal occurrence with not just extensions but with natural hair. This can happen due to a lack of care/maintenance, weather, or dryness. A common reason why extensions tangle and get matted throughout the day is because of a combination of sweat, heat, and friction. Also, keep in mind that when human hair is constantly moving around it mattes or ‘clumps’ together in pieces and should be brushed consistently to avoid this. During the day, we generate heat at the back area of our nape and scalp, and often times we sweat back there too. Your sweat is salty and acidic which can dry out your hair extensions. When you add additional hair volume to this combination and constantly move your head throughout the day, tangling and matting will occur.
Weather can also contribute to tangling, whether it is due to the wind, humidity, or heat. Humidity adds moisture to the environment, causing hair to frizz and tangle. Heat will do just the opposite as it will dry it out. Always have a brush on hand so that you can give your hair a quick brushing. If it’s a particularly windy day, you can tie your hair up.
Along with brushing your hair to prevent matting and tangling, starting at the source with 100% raw hair and using proper hair care products make all the difference in whether extensions will tangle or be soft and manageable. Use products specifically formulated for dry and damaged hair, as they will help keep the strands healthy and nourished. Also, look for ingredients that add moisture to the hair like argan oil, coconut oil, castor oil, and so on. Purchasing sulfate-free and alcohol-free products is a necessity. These ingredients strip the hair of its natural oils and will affect their integrity. This, in turn, makes the hair drier and more prone to tangling or matting.
How to Reduce Shedding
Just like your natural hair, extensions will shed. Although we have ensured that wefts are properly sealed, shedding is still a common occurrence with hair extensions and because they are made of human hair, you can expect some shedding throughout their lifespan. As you brush and style your extensions, some fall-out may occur so don’t be surprised or worried when this happens. This, however, does not mean to reduce the amount you brush your extensions as you can minimize shedding in other ways. Keep in mind, extensions are more likely to shed when they are dry and brittle, especially if they have been chemically processed through bleaching.
The first and quite possibly one of the most important steps is to brush your extensions out before washing them and only once the hair is 90% dry. This helps minimize the possibility of breakage and shedding during the washing and because the hair is at its weakest point when wet. Always be gentle when brushing your extensions and be sure to brush them before and after each use to reduce shedding and breakage.
Washing your extensions too much or using products that contain sulfates and alcohol will strip the hair of its natural oils which will likely cause them to shed. Additionally, using a high temperature when heat styling runs the risk of damaging the hair which can then cause breakage and shedding. This is why we recommend straightening your extensions well but not every day if it can be avoided. . While our own hair may be able to handle a high heat setting, our hair is also constantly getting revitalized from the scalp, whereas hair extensions don't receive the same amount of nutrients or oil in order to look silky and shiny.
Also, take into consideration that the more products you use, the more you will need to wash your extensions, so the best way to reduce shedding is to use a minimal number of products. Your extensions have a beautiful, healthy finish already so you shouldn’t need much product to enjoy them. If you want more hold when curling your extensions, try pinning up the curls and leaving them overnight or even just for an hour to ensure the curls stay in place without the use of hairspray. If you do want to reach for hairspray, consider a lightweight formula which you can still easily brush through. Extra strength hair sprays will clog up your extensions, which means more washing.
How Often Should I Wash my Hair Extensions?
We would like to think that extensions should be cared for as if they are your own hair. You wouldn’t go months without washing your hair and the same should apply for your extensions. As a general rule, co wash (conditioner only) once to twice a week and shampoo once a month. Shampoo completely strips the hair so you may not want to do this too often. You can use your best judgment on how often to wash them, however, we definitely recommend washing them once there is a lot of product build up. If your extensions feel like they’re becoming increasingly difficult to style, this is likely a sign that there is product build-up and they need to be washed.
Washing your Extensions
When washing your extensions, it's important you hydrate them as much as possible. Since hair extensions don't receive the natural nutrients and oils like our own hair does, it's important to ensure that your set is always nourished and moisturized by using alcohol and sulfate free shampoos and conditioners.
Once again, Sulfate and alcohol strip the hair of its natural oils which, in turn, makes the hair drier and more prone to tangling or matting.
We highly recommend applying a moisturizing sulfate-free and alcohol-free conditioner before and after shampooing. Sometimes, even skip the shampoo and only co-wash your extensions with conditioner! When washing, make sure to handle the extensions gently and to not rub them vigorously. Always be sure to rinse the extensions in cold water at the end to lock in moisture. After you are finished, carefully squeeze any excess water from the extensions and make sure that you never rub your extensions dry with a towel.
Larin Recommends: List of best sulphate free shampoos
Drying
We don’t recommend blow-drying your extensions after every wash as doing this constantly will make them dry and more vulnerable to breakage. If you must blow-dry your extensions, be sure to use a heat protectant spray prior to blow-drying to extend the lifespan of your hair extensions. If you need to use your extensions immediately after washing them, the most important thing is to ensure that you are blow drying on a cool setting to prevent any heat damage and that you don’t brush the hair until it is 90% dry. This is because the hair is at its weakest point when it's wet. Instead, use your fingers to gently loosen any tangles. When blow-drying, start by focusing on drying the root of the weft first and then working your way down to the ends. Always blow-dry downwards as this will help to not only smooth the cuticle but it will also prevent the hair from getting tangled since it is being blown in lots of different directions.
We highly recommend air-drying your extensions wherever possible. When air drying, be sure to invest in a micro-fibre towel or a smooth cotton shirt as it will remove excess water faster and it won’t rough up the hair (which can also cause tangles). Lay out all of the wefts on a flat surface and gently pat the excess moisture from the hair. A trick to preventing any frizz once the hair dries is to apply a small amount of hair oil to each weft to ensure the hair remains manageable and silky smooth.
Larin recommends: L'Oreal Elvive Extraordinary Oil
Sleeping with your extensions
A plait or turned under ponytail are the most suitable styles for sleeping with hair extensions, as they restrict the movement of the hair enough to keep the bonds from being disturbed too much during the night. Whether you are wearing a weave, tape hair extensions, micro rings or prebonds, securing your hair extensions when sleeping is an integral part of your daily maintenance routine. Just one night of your hair extensions being unsecured can lead to the bonds becoming tangled, so make sure no matter what the circumstances, your hair extensions are always secured before you sleep.
A silk or satin hair cover or pillowcase will also help to reduce friction therefore reducing matting and tangling.
Conditioning your hair extensions overnight at least once a week will really help to keep your hair in beautiful condition, and is the perfect time to use an intensive treatment so that it has hours to do its magic before being washed out.
Curly and Wavy textures
Curly textures may need more frequent washing as there may be more product build-up. A separate guidance will be uploaded soon.