We all can relate about this- you've taken out those hair extensions, and now your natural hair is looking a bit flat and lifeless, huh? Don't sweat it - this happens to lots of people who wear extensions for a while. Those extensions can really put some stress on your hair, making it weak, dry, and prone to breakage.
But don't worry, we can get your hair back to looking full and healthy again! Roxy Hair got some tips and tricks to help thicken up your hair and get that gorgeous shine back. Just follow this guide, and your tresses will be bouncing back to their fabulous self in no time.
Key Takeaways
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Start by giving your hair a good clarifying rinse and gentle massage. This will help get things prepped for some healthy new growth.
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Make yourself a nourishing hair mask at home, or head to the salon for some professional strengthening treatments. Your hair could definitely use some extra TLC right now.
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Make sure you're eating foods packed with nutrients that are great for hair - things like protein, vitamins, iron and zinc. And don't forget to keep your stress levels in check too. Stress can really mess with your hair!
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When styling, use volumizing products and tricks to pump up that body and fullness. Things like mousse, root lift sprays, and blow drying upside down can help fake some serious volume while your hair recovers.
Pre-Treatment: Preparing Your Natural Hair and Scalp
Your hair health before any treatment, whether it's a chemical process, styling session, or even just a wash day, is crucial for achieving the best results and minimizing damage. It is important to take care of it you wear hair extensions for a long time.
First, we need to clean your hair really well. Get rid of all the gunk - like buildup from products, dirt, and extra oil. Having all that nasty stuff on your hair and scalp makes it hard for treatments to work right. It also makes your hair look and feel weighed down and can irritate your scalp.
An easy way to get it clean is to use a clarifying shampoo once a month or when your hair feels really oily. This will strip away all the buildup without drying out your hair too much. Or you can make a rinse with apple cider vinegar - mix 1 tablespoon of vinegar with 1 cup of water and pour it over your hair after shampooing. Vinegar is great for removing buildup and making your hair shiny!
If you have hard water, get a chelating shampoo too. These are made to get rid of those pesky mineral deposits that hard water can leave behind.
Next, we'll massage your scalp to get the blood flowing. This helps deliver nutrients to your hair follicles, promotes hair growth, and keeps your scalp healthy. Use your fingertips to gently rub in little circles all over your scalp, starting at your hairline and working towards the top of your head. Or you can buy a special scalp massager tool to really work it in.
If dealing with hair extensions, use the right tools to minimize breakage and tangles. Wide-tooth combs, Denman brushes, microfiber towels, and satin pillowcases are gentler on extensions and help them last longer.
Nourishing Treatments and Products
There are a few different ways to keep your hair looking good and feeling healthy especially if you have hair thinning. You can try some at-home treatments, get professional help, or use leave-in products.
DIY Hair Masks
Making your own hair masks at home is an easy way to treat your hair with natural ingredients. If your hair is damaged and needs strength, try an egg mask. Just whisk an egg with some olive oil and honey. Or you could make a yogurt mask by mixing yogurt, a banana, and honey. Put these masks on your damp hair for 20-30 minutes before rinsing out.
If your hair is dry and needs moisture, make an avocado mask instead. Mash up an avocado with some almond oil and honey. A honey mask with just honey and olive oil also works great for dry hair. Slather these wet hair masks on and let them soak in for 20-30 minutes before rinsing.
Professional Salon Treatments
Getting treatments done at a professional salon can provide longer-lasting results and target specific hair concerns. Popular options include keratin treatments to smooth frizz, glossing treatments for added shine and vibrancy, Olaplex treatments to rebuild damaged hair bonds from the inside out, and scalp treatments to address issues like dandruff or promote hair growth. The salon professionals can analyze your hair and recommend the best treatment.
Leave-In Products
Using leave-in conditioners, hair oils, and serums provides continuous nourishment and protection for your hair throughout the day. Leave-in conditioners detangle and add moisture, while hair oils deeply nourish and shield strands from environmental damage. Look for products with nourishing ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, argan oil, and silicones. Hair serums can also help control frizz and protect hair from heat styling.
Dietary and Lifestyle Changes After Hair Extensions
Having a healthier hair starts from the inside. What you eat and how you live can make a big difference. Let's break it down:
Nutrients Essential for Hair Growth and Thicker Hair:
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Protein (chicken, fish, eggs, beans, nuts)
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Iron (red meat, leafy greens, lentils, fortified cereals)
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Omega-3 fatty acids (fatty fish like salmon)
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Vitamin A (sweet potatoes, carrots, leafy greens)
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Biotin (eggs, avocados, nuts, seeds)
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Vitamin D (sunlight, fatty fish)
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Zinc (oysters, red meat, pumpkin seeds, chickpeas)
Supplements that May Help:
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Always consult a doctor before taking any supplements
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Biotin - this support hair growth and generally safe but high doses can interfere with other meds
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Fish oil - good source of omega-3s but check dosage and interactions with blood thinners
Managing Stress for Healthy Hair:
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Chronic stress can disrupt the hair growth cycle and lead to hair loss
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Exercise regularly (aim for 30 mins of moderate exercise most days)
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Practice relaxation techniques (yoga, meditation, deep breathing)
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Get quality sleep (7-8 hours per night)
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Maintain a healthy social life and do activities you enjoy
Hairstyling Tips for Boosted Volume and Hair Growth
For those who have had hair extensions removed and are dealing with hair breakage, creating volume for fine hair or enhancing the appearance of thick hair can be a challenge.
Start by using volumizing products. Look for a volumizing shampoo and conditioner with ingredients that can plump up your hair strands. Then, work in a volumizing mousse when your hair is damp before blow drying. This adds lift and hold without weighing your fine hair down. You can also spray a root lifting product directly onto your roots for an instant boost.
Next, blow dry the right way. After towel drying, flip your head upside down and rough dry using the diffuser attachment on your blow dryer. This evenly distributes the air and creates volume at the roots of your fine hair. Then, section your hair and use a round brush to dry each part, lifting the hair up and away from your scalp as you go. Finish with a cool shot of air to set the volume.
For extra volume to make your fine hair look thicker, try gently teasing sections at the crown area with a brush. Or get your hair cut with layers - the layers add natural movement and fullness to fine hair. One cool trick is to twist your dried hair into a loose bun, secure it, and let it cool completely before letting it down. This boosts volume at the crown.
When to Seek Professional Help
Hair loss can be pretty normal, but sometimes it might mean something more serious is going on with your health. Here are some signs that it's a good idea to see a professional:
First, sudden bald patches where you're losing a lot of hair in just certain areas could be alopecia areata. That's an autoimmune condition that makes your body attack your hair follicles.
Second, if your scalp is really irritated - like red, flaky, itchy or burning - it may be a scalp condition like psoriasis, dermatitis, or a fungal infection.
Third, losing hair along with other symptoms like fatigue, weight changes, or hormone issues could point to something like a thyroid problem or hormonal imbalance.
And finally, if you're shedding way more than the usual 100 strands per day for a while, it's worth getting checked out.
If any of those apply to you, it's a good idea to see a trichologist. That's a specialist who really knows hair and scalps inside and out. They can use a special microscope to diagnose what's causing your hair loss. Then they can give you a personalized plan - maybe medications, creams, lifestyle changes, or other treatments.
Trichologists also know a lot about more advanced hair loss treatments like:
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PRP therapy: They inject platelets from your blood into your scalp to promote growth.
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Laser therapy: Using low-level lasers to increase blood flow and follicle activity.
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Scalp micropigmentation: Creating the look of hair follicles on your scalp with pigments if you have permanent hair loss.
Summary
Getting those hair extensions out can make your real hair feel thin and damaged. But don't stress! There are lots of ways to help it bounce back. Use a nourishing hair oil, hair masks, and leave-in products to strengthen and hydrate your strands.
Make sure you're eating foods with protein, iron, and biotin - those really help hair health. Exercising and relaxing can also cut down on extra hair shedding from stress. When styling, use volumizing products and blow dry techniques to boost body and fullness. If the shedding doesn't let up, see a hair specialist to make sure nothing else is going on. With a little TLC, you'll have fresh new growth in no time.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
My hair feels so thin after taking out extensions. How do I get it thick again?
Use deep conditioning masks and get regular trims. Massage that scalp too!
Will my hair stop falling out on its own?
Yes, the shedding should chill out in a few weeks if you treat your hair gently.
What products make hair look thicker?
Volumizing mousses and root lifters are your friends. Or try teasing your roots a bit.
What should I look for when buying hair products to help thicken up my hair after extensions?
For shampoos and conditioners, look for formulas with proteins like keratin to rebuild strength. Hair masks and leave-in treatments with moisturizing oils like argan or coconut can really nourish those strands too. And for styling products, anything labeled "volumizing" or "thickening" will give you that boosted body.
