Hair Extensions Care Guide
How to Care for Hair Extensions After Summer : A Guide From McGills Hairdressing in Edinburgh
Summer holidays can be wonderful for us, but sunshine, heat, seawater and chlorine can leave hair extensions feeling dry, tangled or less manageable. A little extra attention after your trip can help restore softness, protect your natural hair and keep your extensions looking beautifully blended.
At McGills Hairdressing in Edinburgh, we offer premium Archie Lloyd hair extensions, including discreet nano extensions and bespoke weaves. Here is how to give them the care they need after summer.
Why Do Hair Extensions Need Extra Care After Summer?
Unlike your natural hair, extensions do not receive oils from the scalp to replenish lost moisture. Prolonged exposure to sunshine, swimming pools, seawater and heat can therefore leave them feeling particularly dry.
After a holiday, you may notice:
- Dry or rough-feeling lengths
- Tangling or matting around the attachment areas
- Faded or dull-looking colour
- Increased breakage when brushing
- Loose or grown-out extensions
- A less seamless blend with your natural hair
The sooner you address these changes, the easier it is to protect the condition and appearance of your extensions.
Book a Post-Holiday Extension Check
If your extensions feel tangled, uncomfortable or particularly dry, book an appointment rather than trying to correct the problem yourself. Your McGills stylist can check the attachment areas, assess your natural hair and recommend any maintenance, adjustments or refitting required.
Never attempt to remove nano rings or a weave at home. Professional maintenance protects both your extensions and the natural hair supporting them.
Detangle Hair Extensions Carefully
Use a brush designed for hair extensions and begin at the ends, gradually working upwards. Support the hair near the attachment points with your free hand to reduce unnecessary pulling on the roots.
Take extra care around nano rings or the foundation of your weave. If you find a knot that will not gently brush out, do not tug at it. Ask your stylist for help before it develops into matting.
Brushing regularly throughout the day can also prevent loose hairs from becoming tangled around the attachments.
Wash Away Chlorine, Salt and Product Build-Up
After a holiday, your hair may be carrying a build-up of sunscreen, chlorine, salt and styling products. Wash it thoroughly but gently, keeping the hair flowing downwards rather than piling it on top of your head.
Apply shampoo to the scalp and massage carefully between the attachment areas without scrubbing or twisting. Allow the lather to run through the lengths as you rinse.
Davines MELU Shampoo may be recommended for long or breakage-prone hair. It gently cleanses while helping to improve resilience and flexibility. Follow with MELU Conditioner through the mid-lengths and ends, keeping conditioner away from the attachment points unless your stylist advises otherwise. Davines describes the MELU range as designed to help reduce breakage and leave hair softer and more manageable.
Your McGills stylist can recommend the most suitable Davines products for your particular extension method, natural hair and scalp.
Restore Moisture Without Overloading the Hair
Conditioning is important after summer, but where you apply your products matters. Rich conditioners, masks and oils should generally be kept away from nano rings, weave foundations and other attachment areas, as they may affect the security of your extensions.
Apply conditioning products sparingly through the mid-lengths and ends. Davines OI All In One Milk can help hydrate, soften and detangle the hair while offering heat protection. Use it lightly and avoid spraying it directly onto the roots or attachment points.
If your extensions feel very dry, ask us before applying an intensive treatment at home. Your stylist can help you choose a product that nourishes the hair without making it heavy or compromising the attachments.
Dry Your Extensions Properly
Hair is more vulnerable when wet, so avoid leaving extensions damp for long periods. Gently squeeze out excess water with a towel without rubbing, twisting or pulling.
Dry the attachment areas thoroughly using a hairdryer on a comfortable heat setting. You can then work through the lengths, using a heat protectant and directing the airflow down the hair to encourage a smoother finish.
Never go to bed with wet or damp extensions. This can contribute to tangling, matting and unnecessary tension on your natural hair.
Reduce Heat While Your Hair Recovers
If your extensions are feeling dry after a holiday, give them a break from excessive heat wherever possible. Turn down the temperature of your hairdryer, straighteners or curling tools and always use suitable heat protection.
Remember that extension hair cannot repair itself once it has been damaged. Gentle styling and professional-quality products can make a real difference to how long it remains soft and manageable.
Protect Your Hair Extensions While You Sleep
Before bed, make sure your hair is completely dry and gently brush through the lengths. Secure it in a loose plait or low ponytail with a soft hair tie to reduce friction and tangling overnight.
A silk or satin pillowcase may also help to minimise friction, particularly if your hair is long or prone to knotting.
Download Our Hair Extensions Guide
Would you like more advice on caring for your extensions between appointments? Download our hair extensions guide for useful aftercare tips and guidance to help you protect your investment.
Thinking About Hair Extensions in Edinburgh?
Hair extensions are not only for dramatically longer hair. At McGills, we use premium Archie Lloyd hair extensions to add natural-looking volume, fill areas affected by breakage, create a fuller shape or introduce new colour without dyeing your natural hair.
Book a consultation at McGills Hairdressing in Edinburgh to discover the right option for you. Our team will assess your hair, explain the maintenance involved and create a natural result that feels comfortable and beautifully blended.