If you’re spending time in the humid Southern Queensland environment or
if you’re planning a tropical vacation, you may be causing damage to
your hair extensions without even knowing it. On top of the harmful UV
Rays that can affect Hair Extensions (causing colour loss and dryness),
sunscreen and chlorine both have ingredients that can be harmful to your
hair extensions, and can even turn them peach or a brassy orange.
UV Rays
The UV Rays from the sun can dry out your hair and extensions, fade your
colour and leave hair feeling dull and damaged (and hair extensions are
already dry!).
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Use the right Hair Sun protection products – Here are some we
love:
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Moroccan Oil Protect & Prevent - acts as a leave-in
conditioner that instantly detangles and softens while preventing
brassiness, colour fade and shields hair against UV rays and
pollution. In addition to protecting your colour, it also
weightlessly increases softness and shine with every use. Buy
instore (VIP pricing for our customers).
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Wella Invigo Sun Protect - UV Hair Colour Protection Spray
made with pro-vitamin B5 is a high performance UV hair color
protection leave-in spray.
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Wear a hat / scarf / claw clip – Prevention is always better
than cure so keeping covered is always the best way of protecting your
extensions.
Hard Water
Hard water is water which contains a high mineral content (copper,
magnesium, calcium, silica). Hard Water varies between different areas
of the world and effects the PH Balance, of which can result in
discolouration. Prevent this by:
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Using as filtered shower head / clean water solution when washing
your hair
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Use salon quality, hydrating / nourishing hair products – Here
are some we love
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K18 Leave in Mask
- Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil – Sold in store!
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Colour Wow Dream Filter
Sunscreen
Even if you apply your sunscreen and are careful not to get any in your
hair extensions, you can still be getting sunscreen in your extensions
when your hair touches your upper body. When you wear sunscreen daily,
your hair extensions may still come into contact with sunscreen on parts
of your upper body like your shoulders, arms, and chest. This is why
it’s important to know the do’s and don’t’s of wearing sunscreen when
you have hair extensions to keep your hair in the best shape possible.
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Don’t use sunscreen with certain ingredients – avoid sunscreen
with Avobenzone and Octocrylene. Both of these ingredients cause a
chemical reaction that can change the hue of your extensions to a
peach or brassy orange.
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Use mineral-based sunscreens instead – Sun Bum, Banana Boat
Sensitive, Alba Botanical, and Bare Republic have great mineral-based
alternatives.
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Don’t forget to wash your hands after applying sunscreen – wash
your hands so that your hands are clean when you touch your
extensions.
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Do put your hair up in a bun or high ponytail when wearing
sunscreen
– protect your hair by keeping it up while wearing sunscreen.
Chlorine
If you love to cool off with a relaxing swim, you may notice your hair
extensions change colour or become brittle, dry, matted, or dull.
Chlorine is harsh on your hair, and that’s especially true for hair
extensions (due to their pre-existing dry state) which is why it’s
essential you know the do’s and don’ts of swimming in chlorine whilst
keeping your Hair Extensions healthy.
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Do wet your hair before swimming – wetting your hair before
swimming can help protect it from chlorine. This is due to the Hair
Extensions soaking up / holding the water - thus reducing the amount
of chlorine penetration.
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Don’t leave your hair down – Keep your hair up to avoid any
contact with chlorine while swimming. We recommend a tight bun, which
will further reduce Chlorine penetration (and try to keep your head
out of the water).
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Do put leave-in conditioner on your ends – Add a layer of
protection by dousing your hair in leave-in conditioner. Stay away
from the bonds with conditioner as this could cause slipping. Not only
will the conditioner penetrate the hair follicles, but it will also
make them feel silky smooth. Read our blog on ‘Ingredients To Avoid in
Hair Products’ to ensure you have the right type of conditioner first.
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Wash your hair after swimming – Immediately wash your hair
after swimming and use a cleansing shampoo to remove any remnants of
chlorine from the hair or surrounding skin. Don't forget to follow
with a Vixen Hair Extensions Approved Hydrating Shampoo and Hair
Treatment Mask.
How To Fix Your Extensions After Getting Sunscreen or Chlorine on Them
If you’ve accidentally gotten sunscreen in your hair extensions or taken
a swim in a pool with chlorine, you may have noticed a change in the
tone, colour, feel, or overall look of your extensions – don’t worry,
it’s not too late! There are a few simple ways you can fix your hair
extensions and prevent further damage.
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Use an extension-safe clarifying shampoo, followed by a deep
conditioning mask
– this will help restore moisture and rehydrate your hair. Take a look
at our ‘Ingredients To Avoid in Hair Products’ blog to ensure you have
the right products. We love Australia Eleven Deep Cleanse (buy in
store).
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Use products specifically designed to treat this issue - We
recommend
Malibu C Hard Water
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Still have issues with your colour? Don't panic! Your Colourist can
help
– Your extensions are 100% Human Hair, therefore they can help safely
remove the brassy pigment and tone your hair extensions for you (need
help organizing a colourist…Give us a text and we will put you in
touch with a talented Colourist who can help).
Final Thoughts
Although it's not sexy to wear sunscreen when swimming in a pool, it’s
important to be mindful of your hair extensions and try to keep your
extensions up as much as you can to keep them safe and looking and
feeling their best. With these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to enjoy
the sun and a relaxing swim while protecting your hair extensions and
keeping your hair looking luscious, long, and healthy.
Need more information, give us a call!
