Summer maintenance for your hair extensions

The warm weather activities are fun in the sun, but swimming in the ocean or pool, can wreck havoc on your hair extensions. To help keep your hair in great shape and ward off frizz and dryness, try these recommendations below:

1. If you're not already using one, we hightly recommend that you switch to a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Even if your hair isn't dry right now, sun, salt water, and chlorine sap moisture and make your hair dry and frizzy. Condition your hair extensions each time you shampoo and/or wet your hair.

2. Treat your hair extensions to a leave-in-conditioner. A leave-in-conditioner moisturizes your hair extensions continuously throughout the day. The bonus: These products usually contain sunscreen, which helps protect color-treated hair from the sun -- which can turn color brassy.

3. Use a deep conditioner, hot oil treatment or hair mask regularly. Once a week, give your hair extensions intensive repair time by applying a deep conditioning treatment. An even better idea is to apply your deep conditioning treatment before heading out into the sun. The sun's heat will allow the conditioner to better penetrate your hair.

• When swimming, it is recommended that you take the following precautions:
• Never wear a swimming cap. The friction may cause matting.
• Dry hair soaks up more salt water and chlorine than does already-wet hair; which, means dry hair incurs more damage after swimming. Use plain tap water to soak hair before you take the plunge.
• It is always good to brush your hair and put it into braids before swimming.This will avoid any unwanted tangles and matting.
• Immediately after showering undo braid, comb hair and let air-dry.
• Follow with shampooing and deep conditioning because sun, chlorine, and salt water can sap the moisture out of your hair extensions and make them dry.
• For more tips, see our hair extensions guide.