What’s Really Hurting Your Extensions - and How to Stop It
- Tasha Proper
- Oct 3
- 4 min read
What’s Really Hurting Your Extensions - and How to Stop It
You invested in the Aspen Reserve Weft for its luxury, longevity, and flawless look. But even the best wefts can be compromised by everyday habits and hidden culprits. In this guide from Proper Hair Vault, we’ll uncover what’s secretly damaging your extensions—and how to protect them.
1. Sunblock + Chemical Reactions = Pink Hair Extensions
You read that right. Some sunblocks (especially tinted ones or ones with chemical filters) can cause a chemical reaction on lighter shades of extension hair—turning blonde or lighter wefts pink or brassy. What’s Really Hurting Your Extensions - and How to Stop It - sunscreen ingredients like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide can oxidize or deposit color under UV exposure.
What to do instead:
👉 Choose a suncreen that does not contain Titanium Dioxide or Zinc Oxide.
👉 Clip hair back first, then apply sunblock (rub-on, not spray) to avoid wind + overspray.
👉 Where a trendy scarf or hat when your know your going to have a long day in the sun, your skin will also thank you for this one to.
👉 Avoid touching your hair to readjust throught out the day with out washing your hands becasue ii know you hugged you kids or iched you leg and got sunscreen on your hand 20 minutes before. This is where a hat will save you.
👉 Be sure to to end your day with a thorough cleanse and deep conditioning treatment to wash away buildup from sun exposure and rehydrate your Proper Hair Vault Wefts.
Pro Tip: Read our "How to Maintain Luxury Hair Extensions: Tips You Can Trust" - blog post for specific product recommendations from Our Founder.
2. Excessive Heat: The Silent Destroyer
Using high heat styling tools repeatedly (more then twice a week) will degrade the cuticle of the extension hair, weaken the strands, and shorten lifespan. While many brands advertise “heat-proof” wefts, the reality is that repeated stress will eventually cost you.
What to do instead:
👉 Sleep in a braid - different braids create different patterns, so go wild.
👉 Heatless Curls - the internet is crawling with DIY videos about this.
👉 Use Pro Products that have heat shield in them our favorites are listed in our above link titled "How to Maintain Luxury Hair Extensions: Tips You Can Trust"
👉 Our favorite is to wash, blow-dry, and heat-style at 350 degrees Fahrenheit just once a week. The beauty of Proper Hair Vault Extensions is that they hold styles much longer, so a little dry shampoo can go a long way, and a quick low to medium heat blow-dry refresh is perfect for adding volume whenever you need it.
👉 Always ensure your hair is completely dry before applying and hot tools.
How Proper Hair Vault sets itself apart:
What’s Really Hurting Your Extensions - and How to Stop It HEAT, and at Proper we promote air drying as a luxury—a method only top extension brands lean into. Let your extensions dry naturally (or partially air-dry, then finish with low heat) to protect cuticles and extend life.
3. Well Water / Hard Water Mineral Damage
If you live in an area with well water or hard water, the high levels of minerals (calcium, magnesium, iron) can leave residue or buildup that stiffens the hair, dulls shine, or even react chemically with your wefts.
Prevention steps:
👉 Use a chelating or clarifying shampoo occasionally (maybe monthly) to remove mineral buildup.
👉 Always deep condition right after.
👉 Consider a shower filter or reverse osmosis sytem in your home, if your water is very hard.
👉 Be prepared to replace your extensions sooner than those with non well water.
👉 One refined tip: If your home has well water, consider using the gym's shower for a more extension-friendly water source.
4. Biotin, Keratin Treatments & Over-Depositing Protein
Protein treatments like keratin or high-dose biotin can be helpful for natural hair, but overdoing them on hair extensions is risky. Because extension hair is already processed, additional protein can lead to over-deposition, which can stiffen fibers and make them brittle.
Products such as Olaplex, while touted as bond-repair, can—when used too often or in high concentration—add too much keratin or protein, causing imbalance in the hair fiber. (Olaplex’s patented technology works by reconnecting disulfide bonds, but overuse may create stiffness or reduce flexibility.)
Best approach:
Use protein treatments sparingly.
Alternate with deep moisture masks.
If using bond treatments, follow manufacturer guidelines and avoid layering heavy protein formulas too frequently.
5. Wet Ponytails & Tension Stress
What’s Really Hurting Your Extensions - and How to Stop It, Putting wet hair into ponytails or pulling tight styles when hair is wet is a major rule-breaker. Wet hair is weakest; adding tension can cause slipping, pulling on bonds, or stress fractures.
Safe night routine:
Never sleep with a wet ponytail.
Opt for a low loose braid or use a scrunchie, never tight elastics.
Gentle, protective styling at night is key for durable weft life.
6. Proper Hair Vault | "Aspen Reserve Weft": Air-Dry Luxury + Weft Care
Many extension brands push blow-drying and heavy styling. We lean into air-drying as a brand differentiator—because when you can offer clients the luxury of letting their hair dry naturally without damage, that’s a premium promise.
When your aftercare routine supports “how to maintain luxury hair extensions tips you can trust,” clients see you’re not just selling hair—you’re selling longevity, beauty, and respect for the investment.
✨ Final Thoughts & Call to Action
Whether you’re a professional ready to offer the most luxury hair extensions for your clients, or a client ready to dive into the extension world and finally experience the quality you deserve, Proper Hair Vault is here for you.
📲 Book a consultation with Proper Hair Vault today and take the first step toward long-lasting beauty, education, and luxury care. Text "ProperHairVault" 1(614)316-2201.