Do your hair extensions have you feeling the itch, literally? Itchy hair extensions are a common complaint, but just because it’s common doesn’t mean you have to live with it. We want to take a look at a few reasons your hair extensions might be causing an itchy feeling…
Itching usually results in scratching and here’s where you can run into some trouble. Scratching at your scalp can cause small abrasions or cuts which can lead to infection, and no one wants that.
Here are three things that might be the culprit:
Your extensions may be putting too much tension on your scalp.
You may be overdoing it or under-doing it in the shampoo department.
The extension attachment itself may be rubbing against your scalp causing irritation.
What causes too much tension on the scalp?
Certain extension attachment methods can cause hair to become over directed. Over directed basically means your hair is being pulled in a direction other than the way it naturally grows from the head which is down. Hair that is pulled sideways, or up into an extension attachment puts tension on the scalp, and this can cause discomfort and itching. Too much tension can also be caused by too much weight.
If you have fine/thin hair and you are wearing extensions that have a massive amount of hair at each attachment point, you are asking a small amount of hair to carry a large amount of weight. This causes tension on the scalp which can cause discomfort, itching, and in some cases hair loss.
To avoid too much tension on the scalp, make sure you are wearing a hair extension method that is suited for your hair type. If you have fine thin hair, you’ll want to wear a method with a thin light panel and one that allows your hair to lay in its natural direction or “natural fall.”
How often should you be washing your hair to avoid an itchy scalp?
Shampooing your hair too often can strip the scalp of its natural oils causing it to become very dry and dry skin tends to be itchy. On the other hand, if you are not shampooing often enough, or shampooing correctly and with the right shampoo; dirt, debris, and styling products can build up around or under your extension attachment and breed bacteria which can be itchy and, in some cases, lead to infection.
Most extension wearers experience the most comfort when they wash or shampoo every 1-2 times a week (depending on your lifestyle) with a non-hydrating or clarifying shampoo. If your hair becomes oily easily consider using a dry shampoo between washes, it’s a great way to freshen up your hair and remove any excess oils.
Remember that brushing your hair with a proper hair extension brush every day even multiple times is a must as an extension wearer.
So what if it’s the extension itself that is causing itching?
Not all extension attachments are made out of flexible or comfortable material. Certain common application methods use metal beads or hardened glue or keratin.
When a rigid or sharp extension attachment rubs against your scalp during your daily activities or when sleeping it can cause abrasions that are itchy. Although it’s not common some extension wearers can also have a skin allergy to the type of method they are wearing.
If this sounds familiar, then again you want to seek an extension attachment that is comfortable, flexible, and hypo-allergenic. Contact a hair extension specialist immediately if your itching continues or worsens.
Credit: Hair Extension Magazine
