Summertime is here and all we want to do is lay by the pool and splash around in salty oceans...but, with our extensions in of course.
So, what does that extra UV time and chlorine-filled water mean for your extensions?...
The honest truth is that summertime, warm-weather activities and especially swimming in bodies of water are NOT advised when wearing extensions.
With a luxury product like Bombshell Extensions, during the manufacturing process, virgin hair is mixed and processed to reach the desired shade(s), resulting in a very processed, porous set of hair. Hair extensions are much more porous than our regular hair and with the root no longer being attached to the scalp, it doesn't receive the natural oils and nutrients to act as a protective barrier. All of these factors result in making the extensions more prone to damage & discoloration.
Having extensions in a summer/vacation environment make them the first target for a tiny bit of sunscreen or an unknown mineral from a body of water to soak right into them, strip the moisture, and discolor even the highest quality extensions. You'll need to give some extra love and attention to your hair to maintain the integrity of your extensions during the summer months. We suggest swapping out your wefts for a few weeks and wear our Clip-ins for any trips involving these situations/chemicals/activities so that they hair can be removed to prevent damage and worn during
MORE ON DISCOLORATION & DRYNESS:
As referenced in our Official Hair Care Guide, we do NOT recommend swimming with your extensions. The risks include: hair discoloration (hair turning peach/orange), absorption of unknown elements in various bodies of water that can cause damage to hair & extensions, tangling & matting, and excessive dryness.
**If you do choose to swim with your hair extensions, please know that you are doing so at your own risk and Bombshell Extension Co. is not responsible for a refund or replacement of any kind**
**If choosing to swim, take the time to prep your hair by rinsing with water to reduce the absorption of chlorine and salt. Dry hair acts like a sponge, so taking a dip without the extra moisture will cause you to absorb an excess of the bad stuff that can damage your hair and extensions. Keep hair gently pulled back in a secure braid to avoid matting. Avoid soaking your hair too much when swimming (ideally not at all), as it can loosen the integrity of the bonds. Immediately after swimming, rinse through your hair with water to limit further damage. Wash with a professional-grade sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to remove all impurities and add back in that dose of moisture.
As stated perfectly by https://www.hairextensionsbff.com:
Discoloration can be caused by a number of different factors, for example:
Hard Water – Hard water can cause hair extension discoloration, learn more about Hard Water and Hair Extension Care.
Sun Exposure – Sun exposure can cause hair extensions to lighten and change color, learn more about Protecting Your Hair From The Sun.
Wear a hat: Just as overexposure to the sun is damaging to our skin, the same can be said for our hair. Sun damage to your hair presents itself as dry and brittle, broken or split ends, frizziness, and discoloration. The sun’s UV rays act similar to bleach on the hair. Bleach mixes with the melanin in hair and strips the color, damages the hair’s cuticle and coveted keratin protein.
Salt Water – Salt Water can cause hair extensions to become dry and strip it of its color, learn more about how Salt Water Affect Hair Extensions.
Chlorine – Chlorine Exposure can change hair extension color from anything between bright green and pink! Learn How To Protect Hair From The Affects Of Chlorine.
FAQ'S:
CAN I GET A REFUND/REPLACEMENT PACK OF HAIR FOR EXTENSIONS CHANGING COLOR?
No, Bombshell Extension Co. is not responsible for a refund or replacement of any kind when extensions are not maintained as advised during warm weather months/activities.
DOES THIS ONLY HAPPEN TO BLONDES?
Although this is more likely in blonde/lighter shades, as they are more heavily processed, it can happen to all colors of extensions.
WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN MORE WITH BLONDES?
The short answer is because blonde hair is lighter, or less pigmented, than all other hair colors. Less pigmentation means that there is less color saturation in the hair, leaving room for outside substances to stain and color the hair (think of how white sheets stain more easily than brown or black ones). More lightness means that subtle changes in the hair are drastically more visible (think of how a stain on a white sheet is more pronounced than a stain on a brown or black sheet).
via: (https://babehairextensions.com/blogs/news/why-is-my-blonde-hair-changing-colors)
WHAT DO I DO IF I'M GOING ON VACATION AND CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT EXTENSIONS?
We suggest wearing our Clip-ins for any travel trips involving these situations/chemicals/activities so that they hair can be removed to prevent damage and worn during a bit safer/evening activities.
WHAT ARE MINERAL DEPOSITS?
Mineral deposits are buildups of natural, inorganic solids like copper and iron on the scalp and hair shaft. These deposits can chemically react with the proteins in your hair, leaving you with dull, brittle, discolored tresses. This is true of both color-treated hair and natural hair, though color-treated hair (extensions) is more susceptible to color change because of its porosity (higher absorbency).
Minerals can be found in everything from your pool water to your well water, and you can be sure that this hard, mineral-intense water is making it to your shower nozzle every time you turn it on. Mineral intensity and composition can vary by region, so one user may experience a different reaction to minerals than another user that lives in a different region. Repeated exposure to these minerals results in buildup, and buildup enables the minerals to react with the hair.
Minerals to look out for are: Oxidized copper, which can be found in both pool water and shower water, is known to turn blonde hair green. Iron is typical of well water, and it can leave blonde hair brassy and orange, or even pink!
via: (https://babehairextensions.com/blogs/news/why-is-my-blonde-hair-changing-colors)
HOW DO I PREVENT MINERAL BUILD-UP?
There are lots of things you can do to prevent mineral buildup in your hair. First, you’ll want to address your water. Consider buying a water filter for your shower (we love THIS one), washing the hair with distilled water, or washing with only cold water to seal the cuticle and prevent minerals from getting in. Next, you should address any problems with hair porosity prior to exposing the hair to hard, mineral-rich water. This could involve avoiding heat styling tools, applying a pre-shower or pre-swimming leave-in conditioner to pre-saturate hair, or applying hot-oil treatments for long-term moisture saturation.
via: (https://babehairextensions.com/blogs/news/why-is-my-blonde-hair-changing-colors)