Your own hair can do really well during extensions – many people even find it grows better when it gets a break from daily heat and styling. But that depends on keeping tension low. This post is about exactly that: the load at the attachments and how to keep it at a level your hair can handle.
It's tension that causes wear, not the method
No method is harmful in itself. What causes damage is when a few strands carry too much weight for too long. Three things decide it: how much hair is installed, how the weight is spread across the head, and how long the attachments stay in before they're moved up.
Signs of too much tension
- Tenderness or headaches in the first few days that don't ease
- Small red dots on the scalp around the attachments
- Tangled hair collecting right at the roots
- Attachments that feel like they hang downwards when you bend your head
- Shorter, broken strands at the temples
If you notice any of this – don't wait for your next booked appointment. Call the salon.
A timely move-up is half the protection
As your hair grows, the attachment moves away from the head. That gives it leverage, so it rotates more easily and starts twisting your own hair around it. Guidelines:
- Tape: every 8–10 weeks
- Micro weft and hair weft: every two to three months
- Keratin: every three to four months
Putting it off a few extra weeks saves nothing – it only adds work at removal.
Everyday life between visits
- Wear your hair up loosely. A tight ponytail lifts all the attachments at once.
- Vary where you part your hair and where you put it up.
- Always hold above the attachments when you brush.
- Sleep with a loose braid – never with your hair pulled tight.
- Take care of your scalp. Healthy skin keeps the hair better anchored.
After removal
It's normal to lose some hair when the extensions are taken out. We all shed roughly a hundred strands a day, and with extensions they haven't been able to fall out – they've been caught at the attachments. After three months of wear there are thousands of strands waiting. It looks dramatic, but it isn't hair loss.
Frequently asked questions
Can hair extensions cause permanent hair loss?
It can happen with prolonged, high tension that is allowed to continue – known as traction alopecia – but it develops over a long time and gives clear warning signs along the way. With the right amount of hair and timely move-ups, the risk is very small. If you suspect thinning at the temples, have the extensions removed and let a doctor take a look.
Does my hair need a rest between two sets of extensions?
With a healthy scalp and hair in good condition, no break is needed – new hair can be installed straight away at the move-up. If you've had tenderness, brittle strands or irritated skin, a few weeks' break with moisturising treatments is a good investment.
Can I work out and sweat as usual?
Yes. Braid your hair before your workout, wash your scalp within a day after heavy sweating and dry the attachments thoroughly afterwards. Sweat itself doesn't cause damage, but salt that dries into an attachment makes it rough.
Would you like to discuss method and amount based on your hair? Book an appointment with us.