Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Tips for Lock Extension Wearers

So you just had your extensions installed and holy cow does it feel both fantastic and terrifying all at once! They’re probably feeling a little floppy, flimsy, fragile, and prickly at the moment -- but don’t panic! Everything you’re experiencing is completely normal, but we want to give you a few helpful tips, tricks, and information about your new length.

  • Your first few days your locks will feel a lot stiffer than you may have anticipated, but try not to worry, once you shower that feeling will go away pretty quickly and soften up as they begin their maturing process. 

  • Fair warning, once you wash you may feel a tad fuzzy so if you’re loving the way your locks look after they’ve been freshly installed -- feel free to delay your wash by a few extra days and enjoy  your new hair!

  • YES, you will see a considerable amount of shedding within the first month --- and for some that may even last well into your third to fifth month. Why though? Look at it this way, that hair we just attached is only attached by a 1-2 inch segment to your natural lock and it’s virtually impossible to retain every strand of hair that isn’t secured or locked naturally from the scalp. Those hundreds of hairs are also bound to an ever shifting lock that may shift enough to free itself from the attachment point for some people, this is especially common for those who start with extremely short hair prior to receiving extensions. 

  • If your extension does slip off, don’t panic! It can be reattached with ease. Do keep in mind that just because the extension does slip off it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong (necessarily) and could simply mean that your natural lock is doing what it does best at a faster rate than anticipated. Shorter hair, and extensions that are installed on brand new locks are more prone to these types of occurrences. Incidents like these are why we provide free follow ups to all of our extension clients, we just want to make sure your locks are doing what they should be -- and the followup gives us that time to reattach if necessary.

  • YES! They will get fuzzy! They just won’t get “crazy” in the beginning the way other methods will. Fuzz is natural, but please try not to tuck them away with a crochet hook too often as it will backfire over time and create more fuzz, or will cause the extensions to be extremely stiff.

  • We do not normally promote palm rolling on those who’ve recently had their extensions installed, however if you’re needing to tame the frizz and bumps prior to your first official maintenance please do so with caution. If you palm roll too vigorously you may cause the extension to begin slipping from it’s connection point. 

  • Do keep in mind that palm rolling is only effective when done on damp hair.

  • DO NOT USE BOX DYES if at all possible.

  • (If you plan to color your extensions at home) Right after coloring your locks, make sure to rinse off all traces of hair dye, or else you will risk serious hair fall and breakage from continued processing. As I’ve told many of my guests who self-dye at home, if you’re not sure if you’ve rinsed it all, ALWAYS follow up with an ACV or White Vinegar rinse. This will neutralize the coloring process entirely and re-balance the pH of the hair cuticle.

  • Yes! You can use conditioner ON THE WISPY ENDS of your extensions to keep the loose bits soft and untangled... just be sure to rinse well when you’re done.

  • PLEASE DO NOT USE DEEP CONDITIONERS OR OLAPLEX. 

After much debate over the last few years I’m finally putting my foot down. If your stylist uses Olaplex on your locks please ask them to stop and use ACV instead. Over the last few years I’ve noticed a considerable amount of build up on several people due to Olaplex, and after checking the ingredients I’m 100% positive that this is not a residue free option for us with locked hair.

  • Always keep your dreadlocks moisturized to keep them from getting too dried out. Your hair extensions will be especially prone to drying because unfortunately, extension hair is exposed to several different types of sanitation processing before it even gets to my doorstep. This means extension hair is generally treated with lice treatments, chemicals to prevent the transfer of bloodborne pathogens, retexturing chemicals, hair color, and even formaldehyde to preserve the hair in transport. So try to remember, water-based products are our friends because they rinse and wash well. I personally use a mix of rosewater, aloe vera juice, a couple drops of vegetable glycerin, and my favorite essential oil scent. Instead of a spritzer I use a regular spray bottle and spray them down every day (sometimes more if I’m feeling super dry).

  • Cover your extensions with a silk scarf to prevent dryness and frizziness after coloring, washing, or while sleeping. Or try using silk or satin pillowcases instead of the other common materials for your pillow to prevent frizz and unwanted lint from being trapped in your locks. This method is also great for your skin too!

  • Try not to pick at the ends of your extensions to avoid unwarranted shedding. This includes combing and brushing the ends with standard brushes. If you feel like they need to be “refreshed” start with a wash, then condition the ends, rinse just enough to get the bulk of the conditioner out, allow the ends to fully dry, and manually pick the ends apart to untangle them. This will give you more control and will allow you to proceed gently while they’re maturing.

  • Most extension-wearers don’t feel their locks really mature until around 4-6 months (or once they’ve had their first full maintenance), once you hit that marker, the stress dies down a ton. Until then, treat them like a newborn baby!

  • Try not to pull your hair up tightly prior to your first official maintenance, and wait to decorate until you get the okay from your stylist (we usually suggest waiting 6 months or until after your first full maintenance before decorating). This will prevent any issues with weird bumps, lumps, loops, weak spots, and extension rejection.

  • Try to avoid swimming or excessive washing. Once per week is generally your best course of action, but if you need a little more than that, definitely give them a good squeeze to see if they’re locking too quickly. If they are they’ll feel stiff and it will become difficult to create braids, buns, or other styles.

  • Be sure to get in for a Full Maintenance 3-4 months after your initial install.

  • Every 3-4 Months
    Alternate between Root & Full Maintenance.
    This is a typical maintenance schedule for most of our guests. 

This will keep most everyone’s locks on track at the roots and through the early processes of maturing -- but this will also keep those with thicker hair nice and tidy more consistently. This schedule tends to be the norm for anyone who may have had lock extensions installed to prevent excessive shedding, slippage, and to be sure that the extensions are maturing at similar rates to the natural lock. Those who may be making the switch from interlocking to crochet may also benefit from this schedule. By alternating your service types you’re allowing your natural lock the time it needs to shift on its own by not making your lock completely dependent on routine maintenance. This schedule will allow small bumps and kinks to form, but in some/most cases your lock will remain rather smooth. Skipping a maintenance on this routine isn’t scary and won’t hurt your locks (if they’re already established/mature) -- you’ll just feel quite a bit messier than normal!


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