Hair Extensions Maintenance Guide
Hair extensions are more than a fashion accessory, they’re an investment in your confidence. When fitted properly, they blend seamlessly with your natural hair, adding length, volume, and versatility. Yet they aren’t a “set it and forget it” service. In fact, the way you care for your extensions matters just as much as the fitting itself.
At our London hair salon, we often see what happens when clients leave their maintenance too long. This includes tangled roots, matted bonds (as the hair can become dreadlocked if not looked after properly), and in some cases, damage to the natural hair. This is why we’ve created this complete maintenance guide to help you keep your extensions looking fresh, smooth, and camera-ready between appointments.
Why Maintenance Is Essential
Whether you’re wearing tapes, keratin bonds, or micro beads, extensions require regular upkeep to protect your natural hair and prolong the life of the extensions. Skipping maintenance is the number one cause of matting and breakage.
At Taylor Rose Hair, we see client education around maintenance as vital for long-term results. It’s the simple things that can make all the difference, such as brushing the correct way, using the correct shampoo, and keeping on top of your maintenance/refit appointments.
Recommended maintenance appointments:
K-tips: every 3 months
Tapes: every 4–8 weeks
Micro rings: every 6–10 weeks
Professional maintenance includes:
Daily brushing and night-time care
Weekly clarifying and hydrating routines
Separating out your extensions
1. Hair Care Tips
Keep your extensions soft, healthy, and tangle-free by following these steps:
Brush daily and gently from ends to root using a tangle teaser, loop brush, or soft-bristle paddle. Hold the hair gently at the roots to avoid tugging on bonds.
Brush before showering.
Only brush when hair is 80% dry.
If brushing wet, use a wide-toothed comb in the shower after applying conditioner.
Separate out your extensions daily - spend 20 to 30 seconds gently separating them at the scalp twice or three times a day to prevent matting.
Use a silk pillowcase and loosely plait your hair before bed. Never sleep with wet hair.
Wash gently with a sulfate-free shampoo, always in the shower (not in or over a bath).
Wash twice. The second wash is most important.
Rinse thoroughly to avoid itchy scalp from residue.
Avoid over-washing, but don’t leave it too long.
Don’t play with your extensions - touching and pulling at the roots can cause bonds to loosen, shedding, and natural hair damage.
Condition mid-lengths and ends only - never apply conditioner or oils to the bonds or roots.
Use heat protection before styling and avoid excessive heat directly on bonds. Excessive heat can also lift the colour.
Rinse after workouts to remove sweat and reduce build-up.
2. Weekly Extension TLC
Once a week, give your extensions a deeper treatment:
Use a clarifying shampoo to remove product build-up (especially if you use dry shampoo).
Follow with a hydrating mask on mid-lengths and ends only.
Finish with a cold rinse to smooth the cuticle.
If you swim regularly, apply leave-in conditioning spray and wear hair in a plait to protect from chlorine and salt water.
3. Why You Need Regular Professional Maintenance
Even with great at-home care, professional check-ups are essential. Extensions need re-fitting or adjusting every 6–8 weeks to prevent matting at the root and ensure the weight of the extensions isn’t pulling on natural hair.
At our London salon, a maintenance appointment includes:
Removal of extensions to check natural hair condition
Re-tipping or re-taping extensions
Gentle detangling and root cleaning
Re-application for a brand-new feel
Trimming or reshaping natural hair if needed
Skipping this appointment risks serious matting - especially with tapes or micro rings. As Platform Hair Extensions puts it, maintenance is “the difference between long-term wear and emergency removal.”
Ready to Book?
We recommend pre-booking your next appointment the same day as your fitting to stay ahead of the 6 to 10 week cycle. You’ll leave your maintenance visit feeling fresh, polished, and confident again. Just like day one.