Raw hair extensions are an investment in luxurious, long-lasting beauty, but they require proper care to keep them looking flawless over time. Whether you’re rocking Brazilian, Peruvian, or Indian raw hair, proper maintenance is crucial to ensure your extensions retain their softness, shine, and natural texture. In this guide, we’ll share expert tips on how to maintain your raw hair extensions for long-term use, including the best practices for washing, styling, and storing them. Plus, we'll introduce you to some of the finest hair care products to help preserve the life of your extensions.
1. Wash Your Raw Hair Extensions Properly
Washing is one of the most important steps in keeping your raw hair extensions looking fresh. However, it's essential to wash them gently to avoid tangling and shedding.
Steps to follow:
- Use sulfate-free shampoos: Sulfates can strip your extensions of moisture and lead to dryness. Always choose a sulfate-free, moisturizing shampoo to keep your extensions hydrated. We recommend Richly Rooted Organics Hair Shampoo.
- Wash in lukewarm water: Hot water can cause the hair to become brittle, while cold water may not clean effectively. Lukewarm water is ideal for cleansing without damaging the hair.
- Be gentle: When washing, avoid rough scrubbing. Instead, gently lather and rinse the hair. Use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to detangle gently if needed.
2. Condition Your Extensions Regularly
Conditioning is vital for keeping raw hair extensions soft, smooth, and tangle-free. Raw hair can become dry and coarse without proper moisture, so conditioning should be part of your regular routine.
Steps to follow:
- Use a deep conditioner: Apply a deep conditioner to help the hair stay nourished and hydrated. Focus on the ends, where the hair tends to get driest. We recommend Richly Rooted Hair Conditioner
- Leave-in conditioner: For extra protection and moisture, use a leave-in conditioner to help keep the extensions soft and manageable.
- Detangle gently: After applying conditioner, gently detangle your hair extensions with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to prevent breakage.
3. Avoid Excessive Heat Styling
Raw hair extensions can handle heat styling, but excessive use of hot tools can lead to damage over time. To keep your extensions looking their best, limit heat styling and always use a heat protectant.
Steps to follow:
- Apply a heat protectant: Before using curling irons, straighteners, or blow dryers, apply a heat protectant spray or serum to protect the extensions from heat damage.
- Use the lowest heat setting: When styling, try to use the lowest possible heat setting on your tools to prevent the hair from becoming brittle.
- Minimize heat styling: Try to keep heat styling to a minimum to prolong the life of your raw hair extensions. Opt for heatless styling methods like braids or twist-outs for variety.
4. Store Your Hair Extensions Properly
Proper storage is essential when you’re not wearing your raw hair extensions. Storing them correctly helps prevent tangling, shedding, and damage, ensuring they stay in good condition for longer.
Steps to follow:
- Use a satin or silk pouch: When you’re not wearing your extensions, store them in a satin or silk pouch to keep them tangle-free and protected from dust and debris.
- Avoid tight buns or ponytails: Don’t store your extensions in a way that puts strain on the hair, such as pulling them into tight buns or ponytails, as this can cause the hair to stretch and break.
- Keep them dry: Always store your extensions in a dry, cool place to prevent moisture buildup, which can cause mold or mildew.
5. Maintain the Natural Texture of Your Extensions
One of the benefits of raw hair extensions is their natural texture, but this can be lost over time if not properly maintained. To preserve the texture, avoid excessive washing or handling and always use the right products.
Steps to follow:
- Avoid over-washing: Washing your extensions too frequently can strip the hair of its natural oils, causing it to lose its texture. Limit washes to every 7-10 days or as needed.
- Use minimal product: Avoid heavy products like oils or creams that can weigh down the hair. Stick to lightweight leave-ins and conditioners that won’t make the hair greasy or limp.
- Brush carefully: Use a soft-bristled brush or wide-tooth comb to gently detangle your extensions. Start from the ends and work your way up to avoid breakage..
Maintaining your raw hair extensions doesn’t have to be difficult if you follow the right care routines. With proper washing, conditioning, and minimal heat styling, you can enjoy long-lasting, beautiful extensions. By incorporating premium products like those from **The Lavish Luster**, you can further enhance the lifespan and appearance of your hair extensions, keeping them looking their best for months to come.
Remember, your extensions are an investment, so treat them with the care they deserve to keep them looking luxurious for as long as possible.