Taking care of your extensions is soooo important. It’s the difference between a gorgeous head of hair and a Britney Spears-like disaster. Here are Jeanne’s tips for post-extension care:

• Shampoo as infrequently as possible, ideally only once a week, although you can go up to four times a week if needed. But the less you do it, the less your hair will get dried out.



• Never sleep with your hair wet or down, always put your hair in a braid or bun on top of your head.



• Use a satin pillowcase to minimize tangling, it creates less friction than cotton.



• When brushing your hair, it’s crucial to start from the bottom and work your way up. Extensions can make your hair more tangly, so take your time and try not to pull on your hair when brushing.



• Keep your hair moisturized, since the extensions can block your hair’s natural oils from sliding down, it’s important to keep your ends from drying out.



• Never use styling products with wax, grease or oils. Waxes and grease products cause build up and will give you a dreadlocked look. Oils will loosen the bonds of your extensions and cause them to fall out early. Instead, use hair serums if needed, since they’re topical, they wont get into your hair as much.



• Don’t use rubber bands on your hair, or any hair ties that pull on your hair, instead use soft scrunchies (ugly, yes, but they won’t pull on your hair and give you bald spots).



• Never go in the ocean or pool with your extensions (put them up and keep them out of the water as much as possible to protect them).



• If it’s windy, gently tie your hair back so the wind doesn’t pull on your extensions.



• Be careful keeping your purse on your shoulder or leaning back in chairs or while driving, since these things can pull on your extensions and damage your hair.

Next: If you’re clipping in