Best shampoo for your hair extensions

As hair extensions, wigs and weaves are being used more widely, special hair care products are becoming popular and presented in many stores. After paying money for an extension and knowing that it would take quite an effort to maintain it, people start to look for good, effective and safe hair care products, especially shampoos for human hair extensions. Why do human hair extensions need special shampoo? What are the best shampoos for hair extensions and how to use them properly? This article will help you find out! 

I. Why human hair extensions need special care

If you are using a type of human hair extensions, weaves or wigs, you’ve probably been told to take care of it just as you do with your own natural hair. In fact, your hair extensions will need more than the usual care. 

With hair extensions that are made from real human hair, the structure and texture of hair remain intact. Cuticles are aligned and run in the same direction. After a while, the hair will be covered with sebum, dead cells, dirt or sweat and become greasy, oily or dry. Hair shampoo will be used to cleanse the hair and bring a pleasant fragrance to it. 

However, as you may know, although being made from real human hair, your hair extension is not nourished by the scalp anymore and is rather vulnerable, especially hair that has gone through treatment such as dyed hair or bleached hair. That’s why it needs shampoos and other hair care products, conditioner and hair mask for example, to remain soft, smooth and silky. Using special shampoos that are nutrient-rich could also help your hair extension be more durable and healthy. 

II.How to take care of human hair extensions with shampoos

Now before we get to the part of how to choose the best shampoos for human hair extensions, let’s master the art of how to use it. You may need to tweak your hair cleaning routine depending on different types of hair extensions used. 

The routine

1.  Brush it before washing 

Most hair extensions are not supposed to be brushed wet. That’s why you should detangle it beforehand with a special brush. Always divide your hair into sections and brush each section upward from the tips, avoid brushing downward or brushing too hard it can make the hair more frizzy and breakable. 

2.  Wash it with lukewarm water 

– With removable hair extensions such as clip-in wefts, wigs and ponytails: It is best if you can remove and wash it in a sink or pot of water. Mix a suitable amount of shampoo into water and soak your hair extension in for 10-15 minutes then rinse it off gently with clean and cold water. 

– With sew-in, tape-in weaves and keratin hair extensions: Take a suitable amount of shampoo on the palm of your hand, work into lather and then massage it on your wet hair, avoid contacting too hard with the sew-in, tape-in or beads areas. You can also use your fingers to gently scratch or massage the scalp to get rid of sebum, dirt and oil. Then rinse it off under running water. 

– Apply conditioner just as gently as you do with shampoo and then rinse it off completely. 

3. Dry it

The best way to dry your hair after washing is using your hands or a soft towel to gently squeeze the water out of it and then let the hair dry naturally. However, if you want to have a quick dry, you could use a blow-dryer at low to medium temperature. Remember not to keep the blow-dryer too close to the root if you are using tape-in or keratin hair extensions. 

III. Be careful when washing your human hair extensions

1. Stay away from shampoos that contain Sulfate, alcohol, Paraben or other kinds of chemicals that can be harmful to your hair. Instead, stick to shampoos that are natural-based, rich in nutrients and moisture. 
2. Always use hair conditioner. Special shampoos for hair extensions may be nutrient-rich but using conditioner will help the hair be more healthy, durable and silky. 
3. Do not wash your hair extensions too often. Since it is no longer nourished by the scalp, frequently washing may have the hair worn out faster even if you are using all types of conditioners, hair mask or hair serum. Once or twice every week is acceptable for most types of human hair extensions. 
4. Sew-in, tape-in hair extensions or keratin hair are hard to wash for some people. If that’s your case, you are highly recommended to take a visit to your nearest hair salon and have them wash it for you. 

IV. Best shampoos for hair extensions

In order to help you take the best care of your human hair extensions, we hereby introduce to you some expert-recommended shampoos that are rich in nutrients and moisture, safe for the hair and friendly with the environment. 

1.Ogx Nourishing Coconut Milk Shampoo: With coconut oils, coconut milk and ultra whipped egg white Protein for strong, healthy and smooth hair.

2.Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo: Contains shea butter, argan oil and sea kelp to deeply hydrate and nourish the strands. Formulated with no Sulfate, Silicones, Parabens or mineral oils, suitable for dry and damaged hair.

3.Pureology Hydrate Shampoo: Contains 100% vegan ingredients, gently cleans and hydrates normal to thick, dry, damaged, frizzy and color-treated hair, providing moistures, softness and color protection. 

4.Moroccanoil Moisture Repair Shampoo: Contains Argan oil, vegetable extracts and Keratin to nourish, hydrate, rebuild and strengthen damaged hair. 

5.OUAI Detox Shampoo: Can be used every one or two weeks for deep cleansing, perfectly suitable for hair extensions. This shampoo can get rid of hard water buildup, dirt and excess oil and nourish the hair at the same time. 

Listed above are five recommended shampoos for human hair extensions. If you can not find any of them in your area, do not worry. You only have to pay a little more attention when choosing what to use by reading the label. Always stick to vegetable and natural ingredients and stay away from chemicals, complete your hair care routine properly with conditioner and hair mask or hair serum, your human hair extension will do just fine. If there is, still, concern about how to take care of a specific hair extension, do not hesitate to contact our consultants at Anka Hair. Our experts are just one phone call away from getting you to the best hair extension you have ever owned.