Sleeping & ProtectionUpdated 5 hours ago
- Bedtime Prep: Instruct clients to never sleep with their hair down and loose. Before bed each night, they should secure their extensions in a braid or low ponytail to prevent excessive tangling. The best method is a loose braid (or two braids for very thick hair), tied off with a soft silk/satin scrunchie. Alternatively, a low ponytail at the nape with a silk scrunchie or a coiled cord elastic (which is gentle on the hair) will work. The key is that the hair is gathered to minimize free-moving strands. This bedtime braid significantly reduces friction and knotting during sleep.
- Silk/Satin Protection: Recommend sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase, which creates far less friction than cotton does. This helps extensions (and natural hair) glide rather than snag while the client sleeps, reducing morning tangles and breakage. For even more protection, the client can also wear a silk or satin bonnet or scarf over their braided hair. This is especially helpful if they are active sleepers. Silk bonnets keep the hair in place and keep it from rubbing on anything at all. Between a braid and a silk pillowcase/bonnet, extension hair will stay much smoother overnight.
- Nightly Brushing: Encourage a quick brush-out before bed and again in the morning. Just a gentle detangle with their extension brush before braiding will ensure there are no snags that could worsen overnight. In the morning, they should take out the braid and brush through the hair from ends to roots before styling. Keeping this routine will maintain extension hair in optimal condition daily.