### Hair Care with Regular and Braided Extensions Using regular or braided extensions can give your hair the volume and length you desire. However, it's essential to take good care of both your natural hair and the extensions to prevent damage. #### Before Getting Extensions - **Healthy Hair:** Ensure your hair is healthy before getting extensions. Avoid weakening chemicals like relaxers or dyes to prevent breakage. - **Clean and Conditioned:** Make sure your hair is clean, well-conditioned, and free of dead skin cells and cosmetic product residues. This helps avoid dryness, flakes, and itching. #### Scalp Care - **Medicated Shampoo:** If you have a dry, flaky scalp, use a medicated shampoo containing zinc pyrithione or selenium sulfide. Focus the lather on your scalp, wait 15 minutes, then rinse. Follow with regular shampoo and conditioner. Do this once a week for four weeks. - **Consult a Dermatologist:** If flakes persist, consult a dermatologist before getting extensions. You might have seborrheic dermatitis, which can be harder to manage with extensions. #### Extension Application - **Avoid Tight Extensions:** The biggest mistake is having extensions too tight, which puts pressure on hair follicles and can cause hair loss. Extensions should not cause pain or headaches. If they do, ask your stylist to loosen them. - **Clip-in Extensions:** These are the least damaging as they can be removed quickly and don't require glue or braiding. However, avoid pulling or tangling your hair. #### Maintenance - **Weekly Wash:** Wash your scalp gently with shampoo once a week to keep it healthy. This reduces product buildup and dead skin cells. - **Limit Duration:** Don't wear extensions for more than six weeks straight. Remove braided extensions to wash and condition your scalp and hair thoroughly. - **Glue Removal:** If glue is used, ensure all glue is removed with a solvent to prevent hair loss. Residual glue can stick to hair and be difficult to remove without causing breakage. - **Allergic Reactions:** If your scalp itches after removing extensions, it might be an allergic reaction to formaldehyde in the extensions. Consult a dermatologist for treatment. #### Rest Period - **Give Your Hair a Break:** Take a break from extensions for a few weeks to let your hair and scalp recover. Use hairstyles that don't pull on your hair. Once your hair is healthy, you can use extensions again.