Hair extensions are a great alternative to wearing your natural hair because they often require less maintenance and they give your natural strands a chance to rest. Whether you're growing out an old haircut, transitioning from relaxed to natural, or you just simply want a break from day-to-day manipulation of your strands, extensions are a great option. Here are some important tips to keep in mind when maintaining extensions:

1. Do Find A Texture That Will Be Easy For You To Maintain

The beauty of having extensions in, aside from helping you achieve a new look, is that they can help take the guesswork out of doing your hair in the morning. Some women opt for a hair texture that matches their texture exactly so that they can leave some of their hair out. Others, instead, prefer to have their hair completely braided or sewn up and rock a completely different texture. Whatever option you’ve decided to go with, make sure it is easy and it works for your lifestyle. The last thing you want is the frustration of dealing with a texture you are unfamiliar with.

2. Don’t Leave Extensions In For Too Long

All good things must come to an end. Like with any hairstyle, it’s important to know when to let extensions go. The danger of keeping extensions in for too long is the potential damage they can do to your hair. Extensions can lead to everything from traction alopecia (permanent hair loss!) to hair “locking” unintentionally. Every beauty has a unique regimen, but leaving extensions in beyond 8 weeks is normally a no-no. Aim to switch up your style at least every 6-8 weeks for optimal health of your natural hair.

3. Do Care For Your Hair & Scalp Underneath

We wear clothes every day, but we make sure to maintain proper hygiene underneath, right? The same way you shower and freshen up daily, your hair and scalp need constant care even when you have extensions in. You should be cleansing your scalp regularly as well as making sure your scalp is properly moisturized to avoid dryness and flaking. Small plastic bottles with a directed nozzle can help tremendously with getting shampoo, conditioner, and even hair oils into those hard-to-reach places. If you have box braids in, you can shampoo your scalp as if your hair was loose. Just make sure your braids dry thoroughly.

4. Don’t DIY If You Are Not Experienced

This goes for installing your hair extensions AND removing them. Extensions are a wonderful way to achieve a new look but improper installation and removal can lead to extreme hair damage. With braids, you can end up cutting your hair off if you’re not sure where your hair ends and where the extensions begin. With weaves, you can end up doing the same if you can’t physically see the thread that is sewn into your hair. Proceed with caution when it comes to installation and removal. Your best bet is to seek a professional’s help if you’re unsure.

The number one ‘do’ on our list? Have fun with it! Extensions can give you great versatility and styling options. Follow these tips and you can’t go wrong.