Hair System Aftercare
Looking after your hair system.
A hair system lasts longer, and looks better, with a little daily care. Here's what we recommend between appointments. We'll always tailor this to your own system.
Book a Maintenance SessionEvery day
Daily care.
Brush gently
Use a wide-toothed comb or a soft boar-bristle brush. Start at the ends and work up towards the root, a little at a time, so you ease out each tangle without pulling on the knots. Brush once a day, and only when the hair is completely dry or completely wet, never in between.
Sleep on it dry
Never go to bed with a damp system, as it will mat very quickly. Make sure it's fully dry first, and sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase, or wear a silk headscarf, to cut down on friction.
Keep the ends moisturised
Olive oil on the ends two or three times a week, and before washing, helps prevent dryness. Left on the ends overnight, it's especially effective. Keep it away from the base.
Washing
Wash with care.
Tepid water
Water that's too hot or too cold can encourage tangling. Keep it comfortably tepid.
Go easy on conditioner
More isn't better. Warm a small amount between your palms, apply it to the lengths and ends only, and keep it away from the base and roots.
Rinse thoroughly
Conditioner left near the base is one of the biggest causes of ongoing hair loss, so rinse every trace out. Be gentle when you shampoo, too.
Protect it
What to avoid.
Chlorine and salt water
Both can damage the hair. If you do swim, rinse your system as soon as you're out of the water, then gently shampoo and condition.
Chemicals and colour
Chemical treatments can damage a system beyond repair, and permanent colour opens up the hair's cuticle. Speak to us before changing anything.
Alcohol-heavy products
Hairsprays and other products high in alcohol dry the hair out over time and make it more prone to tangling. Use them sparingly.
Questions
Good to know.
The most common things we're asked about day-to-day care.
Why does my hair system get matted or tangled?
Matting usually comes from friction and from anything that lifts the hair's outer cuticle: rubbing on a cotton pillowcase, water that's too hot or too cold, chlorine, alcohol-heavy products, permanent colour and too much conditioner. A silk or satin pillowcase, tepid water and a light touch with conditioner make the biggest difference.
Why am I losing hair from my system?
A little shedding is normal, and longer or curlier systems tend to shed more than shorter ones. Faster loss is usually down to over-brushing, tangles that are pulled out rather than worked through, friction from pillows or rough shampooing, or conditioner left around the base. Conditioner that builds up at the root can stop each hair moving freely, so it's the one to watch most closely.
How do I stop it lifting?
Press firmly along the attachment edge after showering or bathing, and keep doing so throughout the life of the attachment. This helps it stay flat and secure against the scalp.
Can I colour or chemically treat my system?
We'd advise against it, as chemical treatments can cause damage that can't be repaired. If you do want a change of colour, talk to us first. A semi-permanent colour, which uses little or no peroxide, is much kinder than a permanent one.
We recommend a maintenance session every 3 to 4 weeks, to keep both the system and your scalp in the best condition.
Book a Maintenance Session