Extension Care Guide
Hair extensions are Remy human hair—they don't replenish moisture the way your natural hair does. With the right routine, your extensions stay silky, seamless, and beautiful for months longer.
First 48 Hours
Universal cautions for all semi-permanent types (Tape-In, Hand-Tied Weft, Keratin / I-Tip). Do not skip these steps—this is when the attachment site fully sets.
Strictly Avoid
- ❌ Wash or wet hair: Wait at least 48 hours to allow the attachment site to fully set.
- ❌ Tie hair tightly: Avoid ponytails, buns, and updos that create tension on fresh attachment points.
- ❌ Exercise or swim: Perspiration and water both compromise fresh bonds before they have fully cured.
- ❌ Apply conditioner/oils near attachments: Even a small amount near bonds or tape tabs will cause slippage.
Your First Sleep
- • Pull hair into a low, loose braid or ponytail using a soft scrunchie starting night one.
- • Use a silk pillowcase or silk bonnet from the very first night to minimize friction.
- • Never go to sleep with wet hair.
Your First Wash
- • Brush thoroughly before wetting—section by section from ends upward.
- • Tilt head slightly back in the shower and let water fall downward through the length to prevent knotting.
- • Use gentle, downward strokes only—never circular scrubbing near any attachment point.
Brushing
Daily brushing is the single most important habit to prevent matting and tangling.
- • The Right Tool: Use a soft-bristle brush or loop/extension brush—never a round brush or ball-tipped bristle brush.
- • Direction: Always start at the ends and work upward in horizontal sections—never root to end in one stroke.
- • Wet Hair: Never brush wet hair—wait until at least 80-90% dry.
- • Technique: Section hair row by row before brushing through all layers. Rest your free hand gently over each attachment row while brushing to absorb tension and protect the bond. Always brush the hair from bottom and work your way up and hold the hair while you are brushing (so you are not stressing the spine area).
- • Detangling: If hair feels rough or tangled, mist lightly with a water-based leave-in conditioner to detangle safely.
- • Frequency: Brush morning, evening, before washing, and before sleeping.
Washing
Pre-Wash & Posture
Brush thoroughly before getting hair wet. Wet hair with lukewarm water. Always tilt your head slightly back in the shower and let water fall downward through the length—never wash upside down, as this causes severe knotting at the attachment rows.
Shampoo
Apply a sulfate-free, paraben-free shampoo—such as Virtue Recovery Shampoo—to your scalp and roots using gentle downward strokes only. No circular scrubbing near attachment points. For fine hair or tape-ins, use Virtue Full Shampoo to prevent buildup.
Condition
Apply a moisturizing conditioner—such as Virtue Recovery Conditioner—from mid-shaft to ends only. Keep all conditioner completely away from bonds, beads, tape tabs, or weft rows. Leave on for 2-3 minutes, then rinse with cool water. Gently squeeze excess water with a microfiber towel.
Weekly Deep Treatment
Once a week, swap conditioner for a deep conditioning mask—such as Virtue Restorative Treatment Mask—applied from mid-lengths to ends for 5-10 minutes. This restores the moisture and protein balance that daily wear depletes.
Drying & Styling
- • Prep: While damp, apply a water-based leave-in conditioner—such as Virtue Leave-In Conditioner—from mid-lengths to ends. Water-based formulas are bond-safe for all extension types.
- • Heat Protectant: Before any heat tool, apply a heat protectant—such as Virtue 6-in-1 Styler—to protect the hair fiber and reduce frizz.
- • Heat Limit: Keep all hot tools below 350°F / 177°C. Never apply heat directly on or near any bond, bead, tape tab, or weft row.
- • Finishing: Once styling is complete, finish with a few drops of Virtue Healing Oil on the ends only. Never apply near the attachment zone.
Nighttime Care
- • No Loose Hair: Never sleep with hair loose—friction causes overnight matting and breakage.
- • Secure It: Pull hair into a low, loose braid or ponytail using a soft scrunchie—no rubber bands.
- • Reduce Friction: Sleep on a silk pillowcase or wear a silk bonnet to reduce friction.
- • Moisturize: If ends feel dry, apply one small drop of lightweight hair oil on ends only before braiding.
- • No Wet Hair: Never go to sleep with wet hair—moisture trapped near bonds causes tangling and bond weakening.
Active Lifestyle & Swimming
Before Activity
Mist mid-lengths to ends with a water-based leave-in conditioner as a protective barrier against sweat and environmental exposure. Tie hair into a low braid or ponytail—avoid high ponytails and messy buns which stress attachment points.
After Swimming
Rinse immediately to remove chlorine and saltwater, then follow with your regular shampoo and conditioner routine. Never let chlorine or salt sit in the hair—it causes dryness, tangling, and discoloration.
What to Avoid
- ❌ Sulfate or clarifying shampoos: Strip moisture and bond adhesive.
- ❌ Alcohol-based products near roots: Drying; weakens attachment zones.
- ❌ Oil-based products near bonds: #1 cause of tape and keratin bond failure.
- ❌ Coconut oil near any bond: Can weaken tape-in adhesive and loosen bonds over time — avoid near all attachment points.
- ❌ Heat tools on attachment points: Re-melts or loosens bonds.
- ❌ Sunscreen with avobenzone: Can permanently discolor lighter extensions.
- ❌ Spray tan near hair: Causes irreversible staining.
- ❌ Sleeping with wet hair: Causes matting and bond damage overnight.
Care by Extension Type
Weft Extensions
Initial Wash: Some weft systems allow washing the same day—always follow your individual stylist's guidance.
Wash frequency: 1-2 times per week. Section hair row by row before wetting. Apply Virtue Recovery Shampoo along each row using gentle horizontal strokes—never circular motions. Apply conditioner from jawline level down only.
Brushing & Styling: Gently brush from ends to roots in a downward motion daily. Support each weft row with your palm while brushing. After washing, blow dry only — air drying is not recommended as moisture trapped near weft rows can cause mildew or bond weakening. Heat must not exceed 350°F / 177°C near or around the weft rows.
Strict Warning: No chemical processing or smoothing treatments—these alter the extension hair and void warranties.
Virtue Labs Products
Sulfate-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, vegan, and cruelty-free. Their core technology, Alpha Keratin 60ku®, is a bio-identical human keratin protein that repairs and strengthens the hair fiber—ideal for extension hair that cannot self-repair.
Wash & Condition
Recovery Shampoo
Best for:All types · weft & keratin
Scalp and roots on wash days—deeply hydrating.
Full Shampoo
Best for:Fine hair · tape-in & clip-in
Lightweight formula; no buildup near attachment points.
Recovery Conditioner
Best for:All semi-permanent types
Mid-lengths to ends only—never near attachment points.
Curl Shampoo + Conditioner
Best for:Curly hair
Defines curls.
Flourish Shampoo + Conditioner
Best for:Thinning hair
Specialized formula for thinning hair.
Scalp Remedy Shampoo + Conditioner
Best for:Sensitive scalp
Soothing formula for sensitive scalps.
Treatments
Restorative Treatment Mask
Best for:All types · Weekly treatment
Replaces conditioner once weekly—restores moisture and protein.
Damage Reverse Serum
Best for:Keratin / I-tip · Damaged hair
Highest 60ku® concentration for intense fiber repair.
Scalp Elixir
Best for:Scalp health
Soothing scalp. Builds the barrier.
Density Booster
Best for:Hair growth
Stimulates the scalp and helps with hair growth.
Scalp Exfoliating
Best for:Scalp treatment
Exfoliating scalp treatment.
Flourish Hair Mask
Best for:Thinning hair
Mask for thinning hair.
Styling & Finishing
Leave-In Conditioner
Best for:All types · Daily moisture
Damp hair, mid-lengths to ends—water-based and bond-safe.
6-in-1 Styler
Best for:Heat styling & frizz control
Heat protectant and detangler; use before blow drying.
Healing Oil
Best for:Ends finishing & shine
2-3 drops on dry ends only—lightweight and never near bonds.
Smooth / Un-frizz Cream & Frizz Block Spray
Best for:Frizz control
Both anti-frizz products and provide heat protection.
Flourish Thickening Styler
Best for:Volume
Thickening styler.
Curl Mousse + Curl Gel
Best for:Curls
Defines curls (no crunchiness, leaves smoothing finish).
Full Mousse & Full Volumizing Primer
Best for:Roots
Volume and lift the roots / build & lift.
Texturizing Spray
Best for:Texture
For textured hair + volume.
Dry Shampoo Spray
Best for:Refreshing
Dry shampoo spray.
Colour Kick Shampoo
Best for:Colour treated
De-brassing shampoo.
We're Here
to Help
Whether you're deciding between extension types, troubleshooting a care question, or ready to book—we're happy to walk you through everything. Our consultations are free, judgment-free, and as detailed as you need.
Free consultations available—no commitment required.