How to Protect and Care for Your Hair Extensions While on Vacation
You’re probably already really looking forward to your well-deserved vacation. Finally, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the sun, the beach, and the ocean to the fullest.
How do I protect and care for my hair on a beach vacation?
You’re probably already thinking about how to best protect and care for your hair—and especially your extensions—before and during your vacation. Whether you wear extensions or not, it’s important to address this topic. We’ll show you how to best protect and care for your beautiful hair from the sun and the sea, so you’re guaranteed to continue enjoying your gorgeous locks.
Does the sun damage my extensions? Do the chemicals in pool water or the salt water in the ocean damage my extensions? Generally speaking, going on vacation with extensions is no problem at all, as long as you keep certain things in mind and take good care of your hair. Extensions require practically the same care as your own natural hair. As you know, your natural hair is also damaged by UV rays, chlorine, and saltwater. With a few tips and the right care products in your luggage, your extensions are guaranteed to survive your vacation unscathed.
Important: Our tips always apply to bonding and tape-in extensions—that is, hair extensions that you wear continuously for several weeks. For all removable hair extensions, such as clip-in extensions, it’s best to remove them when you’re at the beach, in the ocean, or in the pool.
The Perfect Hairstyle for Beach Days
It’s best not to wear your hair loose with extensions at the beach, in the ocean, or in the pool. Otherwise, you run the risk of your extensions getting tangled or matted due to the heat, wind, and sand. That’s why braided hairstyles are especially recommended on vacation—provided your hair is long enough for them. Before braiding, treat your hair and extensions to a deep conditioning treatment that protects them from UV rays and dryness. Argan oil also nourishes your hair and extensions at the beach, and it looks beautiful when your hair has a subtle, natural shine in the sun and smells like coconut or vanilla. Pure beach vibes. When you’re braiding a plait, start braiding right away and skip tying a ponytail first. This way, you’ll be gentler on your hair. As an alternative to a braided hairstyle, you can also pin your hair up, either in a “banana” style or in a bun. If you’re spending days in the sun, consider wearing a head covering—such as a scarf or beach hat—for a few hours each day.
Be careful with certain care products, such as skin creams and sunscreen, when using light-colored extensions
Extreme caution is advised when using certain sunscreens. In addition, avoid any contact with sunscreen products on light-colored extensions (light brown, light red, and blonde) whenever possible! Pay attention to the instructions on the packaging. Some products even explicitly warn about this, or the warning is more general: “May cause permanent stains on fabrics and surfaces.”
Precautions:
- Before applying sunscreen to your skin: Treat the ends of your hair with hair oil. This prevents the sunscreen’s ingredients from penetrating the hair.
- Use sunscreen products that do not contain any warnings about discoloration and/or staining.
- Allow the sunscreen to absorb completely—remove any excess cream with a cloth if necessary.
- Tie your hair back and pin it up (no skin contact)
Wash your extensions after a day at the beach or pool
As soon as you’re back at the hotel or your vacation apartment, you’ll need to give your hair a little attention. Remember to comb through the extensions with a brush before washing. First, rinse your hair thoroughly with clean water in the shower to wash out any saltwater residue or chlorine. Apply a hair extension shampoo starting at the roots and working toward the ends, then rinse it out thoroughly. Afterward, we recommend applying a conditioner, letting it sit for two minutes, and then rinsing it out thoroughly. Never apply conditioner to the attachment points. In addition, you should use a deep conditioning treatment—such as our Extensions Booster—every time after a day at the beach or pool to maintain the natural look of your extensions. Leave the booster on for 10 minutes. The booster should be applied after the conditioner rinse and then rinsed out again with lukewarm water. After washing, gently comb through the attachment points with your fingers using a top-to-bottom motion. Then, apply argan oil, focusing especially on the ends of the hair.
Drying / Styling After Washing the Extensions:
After washing, the extensions should be carefully dried and styled. Please note that the hair is at its weakest when wet, so be sure to handle it gently and with care. Gently squeeze the wet hair with a towel (do not rub!). Then arrange the strands and blow-dry them from top to bottom (from the roots to the attachment points and down to the ends) on the lowest heat setting. Never dry your hair upside down. Even when air-drying, the bond sites should be briefly blow-dried. Never brush your hair while it’s wet. Before styling, make sure your hair is completely dry. We then recommend applying a heat protectant, such as our “Shake & Protect” spray, to your hair, letting it sit for a moment (do not rinse), and then beginning to style. When using heat styling tools such as straighteners or curling irons, be sure to apply “Shake & Protect” beforehand. Please avoid using excessive heat and holding the tool at the ends of your hair for too long, as this can dry out the ends excessively and cause them to break off.
A few more tips for your time at the beach or pool
Finally, here are a few more tips and tricks for your trip to the beach or pool. If there’s a beach shower nearby, be sure to rinse your hair thoroughly after every swim in chlorinated or saltwater. This prevents salt from lingering unnecessarily in your hair and extensions until evening. Additionally, water chemicals and saltwater can weaken and damage the extension bonds with prolonged contact. Sure, extensions require a bit more effort on vacation, but the intensive care is also good for your natural hair. Very important: You should never rub your long, wet hair with a towel. Otherwise, knots and tangles may form.
Relaxing with Extensions Overnight
Sun, wind, sand, saltwater, and chlorine are naturally hard on your hair extensions. Give your hair a break overnight by wearing a loose ponytail or braiding your hair at night. That way, you won’t have to brush your hair intensively again in the morning.
Have a great time on your vacation in the sun!