When you're faced with the decision of getting your first set of hair extensions, you might feel overwhelmed by all the myths floating around. There are a lot of common misconceptions about how damaging extensions can be for your natural hair, how difficult it is to maintain them, and how installation affects the hair.

The truth is that hair extensions are pretty low maintenance, super safe for your hair (when done correctly), and great for anyone who wants to experiment with different styles.

So, let's bust some myths!

Myth #1: Extensions Ruin Your Natural Hair

FACT: Extensions don’t ruin your hair - improper installation and maintenance do.

Whether you use tape-ins, I-tips, beaded, or clip-ins, there aren’t any extension products that are inherently bad for your hair or damage-causing. The only way your natural hair will be negatively affected is if the product is installed or maintained improperly.

If your extensions are installed by a qualified professional and you follow your stylist’s advice for taking care of them, your natural hair will be in even better shape than before you got extensions because the additional hair will protect your strands from wear and tear!

Myth #2: Anyone Can Install Hair Extensions

FACT: Hair extensions should only be installed by a trained professional.

Unless you’re using clip-in extensions, you should only have wefts applied by a professional stylist who has been trained in proper installation techniques.

If beads, bonds, or other installment foundation points - including taped sections - are too tight, it will cause tension on the scalp, which can lead to hair loss. If installment foundation points and/or sections are loose, your hair can slip out of each section to create matting and damage.

Unclean sections can cause your natural hair to twist and tangle, which causes damage to your hair and scalp. And incorrect sectioning on certain hair types/textures can damage the scalp, natural hair, and extension hair.

Leave it to a professional who has plenty of experience behind the chair!

Myth #3: Extensions are High-Maintenance

FACT: Maintaining extensions isn’t any more work than maintaining healthy natural hair!

Many girls avoid extensions because they think they’ll have to put in all this extra work to keep them looking and feeling great. We all want an “I woke up like this!” beauty routine, but you have to commit to putting in a little bit of effort if you want beautiful, damage-free hair – just like you do for natural hair!

Here are a few tips for proper extension maintenance:

Brush at the scalp and in between sections. Not brushing properly (or not at all) can create matting and tangles that damage the natural and extension hair.
Make a move-up appointment at the end of your installation appointment and don’t miss it when it comes up! If you wait too long to move up extensions, it can create tension on your natural hair and scalp. The loose hair can also create friction, which leads to matting and damage to the hair and scalp.
Follow your stylist’s aftercare maintenance plan! This might include using certain specialty products, like shampoo, conditioner, detangler, heat protectant, brushes, hair ties, and pillowcases. Remember that your extensions are a luxury investment, and they need to be taken care of appropriately!
Put your hair in a protective style, like a braid or ponytail when sleeping or swimming.
Talk to your stylist about your lifestyle, so they can make recommendations that work specifically for YOU! For example, let them know if you exercise regularly, wear a hat all day at work, need to keep your hair up for most of the day, etc. They need to know these things so they can help you make the best decisions for your extension and natural hair health!
Most importantly, don’t wait if your extensions feel uncomfortable. Sometimes, it takes a little trial and error to find the best product and application technique. Nothing in the hair industry is one-size-fits-all. We all have different textures, hair types, routines, and skin sensitivities. A good stylist will be happy you called them for an adjustment, and it doesn’t mean either of you did anything wrong!

Getting hair extensions for the first time can feel intimidating when there are so many misconceptions out there! But if you get them installed by a professional and take good care of them, you will achieve great lengths without causing damage to your natural hair. Even women with thinning hair have found success with extensions!

If you've been thinking about extensions, my team and I are ready to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Send a message to Hello@HairByKaylee.com and lets chat hair! & if you're ready to take the plunge, you can book now at HairByKaylee.com. We are always accepting new clients. Can't wait to have you in our chair!