The First 48 Hours
Your beads and bonds are still settling, so keep water, pressure, heat, and product away from them for the first two days.
- No wash for 48 hours. Give your beads or bonds time to settle before your first wash.
- No tight ponytails for the first week. Wear your hair down or in a loose, low bun to protect the rows.
- Sleep on silk or satin. Tie your hair loosely at the nape of your neck, because cotton creates friction that drags at beads and bonds.
- Brush morning and night. Start at the ends and work your way up, holding the hair at the root so you do not tug on a bead or bond.
Daily & Weekly Care
A simple, consistent routine works better than heavy product. The most common mistakes are washing too often and loading the beads or bonds with conditioner.
- Wash every 7 to 10 days with a sulfate-free shampoo. Massage your scalp, and never scrub the rows.
- Apply conditioner and leave-in from mid-shaft to ends, and never on the beads or bonds.
- Dry the rows completely before drying the rest of your hair, because wet beads and bonds slip.
- Use a heat protectant, and keep the flat iron and curling wand off the beads and bonds.
For K-Tips and Keratin Bonds
Keratin bonds need a few extra steps, because moisture and oil at the bond cause K-tips to slip.
- Brush with a loop brush, and hold the hair at the root so you do not pull on a bond.
- Always dry the bonds first after you wash.
- Keep oil, serum, and conditioner off the bonds.
- Never pick at or twist a bond.
Keeping Your Extension Hair Soft
Raw extension hair does not receive the natural oils from your scalp, so it depends on you for moisture. Start with water, then seal in the moisture, and apply products to the lengths only, keeping them away from the root and the beads or bonds.
- Mist the lengths with water or a water-based leave-in a few times a week.
- Seal the ends with a light oil after the leave-in.
- Deep condition the lengths at every wash.
- Skip heat for the first few days after your install, because heat dries out freshly conditioned lengths.
- Use a heat protectant every time you use heat, and keep heat low.
- Detangle gently with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb before you brush.
- If your ends feel dry or rough, plan a treatment at your refresh appointment. Well-hydrated hair lasts longer and can be reused.
What to avoid
- Heavy oils, butters, or grease at the root or on the beads or bonds.
- Pulling, twisting, or scratching at a bead or bond, even if it itches.
- Sleeping with wet hair or on cotton.
- Heat applied directly to the beads or bonds.
- Chlorine or saltwater, unless you rinse and condition right afterward.
Refresh Timeline
Plan to refresh every 4 to 5 weeks. Every head of hair is different, and an install can last up to 8 weeks before it needs to be fully removed.
Week 1
Settle in
Wait 48 hours before washing, skip tight ponytails, and hold each row at the root when you brush.
Week 2 to 3
Mid-cycle
Keep conditioner off the beads and bonds, and dry the rows completely after every wash.
Week 4 to 5
Refresh
Come back to have your install moved up.
If you feel a bead pulling, a bond loosening, or shedding near the root, message me before it turns into a knot or tangle. A quick fix in the salon is much easier than losing a row.
Questions at any time
If anything feels off, take a photo of the area and text me at (857) 233-1147 or send a DM to @bostonhairpro. If you reach out within 7 days of your install, we will book a complimentary adjustment.