Holiday’s are all about sun, the sea, and sandcastle, but if you’re jetting off for a summer holiday with your SWAY hair extensions, you might already be wondering how to keep them in top condition. Travelling can be a thrilling experience, but warm weather, salty sea air, chlorine-filled pools, and even your SPF can impact the overall health and lifespan of your hair extensions if you don’t take steps to protect them.
The good news is with a few simple steps and products, you can enjoy all the things your holiday does and doesn’t offer without having to worry about any damage, tangles, or fading colour. Here’s your complete guide on how to protect your extensions from the sun, sea, and stress so you can step off the plane and right onto the sand, feeling confident and carefree!
Understanding How Holidays Affect Hair Extensions
Before we jump into the travel tips, we wanted to explain why your SWAY extensions might need a little extra attention when you’re on the move. There are several things that a holiday environment can throw at your hair, that can affect the condition and appearance of your hair and your extensions.
If you’re in a warm climate, your natural hair and your extensions are being exposed to higher levels of UV and are at risk of drying out. This can lead to frizz, split ends, and a dull appearance.
Saltwater and chlorine (we know you still want to have fun in the sea/holiday pools!) can weaken bonds and dry out your hair fibres, leaving your extensions brittle and more difficult to style. Suncreams and oils are also on the no-no list as these can cause product build-up on your bonds if they’re not applied carefully.
With these insights in mind, they're easy to avoid to keep your extensions looking healthy, shiny, and in place for the duration of your Holiday.
Preparing Your Extensions Before You Travel
Schedule a Pre-Holiday Maintenance Appointment
Schedule a pre-trip visit with your stylist to have your SWAY extensions refitted, checked, and trimmed. We recommend this before every holiday so you can make sure all bonds/tapes are secure and your hair is in the best condition before you go. Be sure to restock on SWAY's aftercare products like the hydrating shampoo and hydrating conditioner, which are specifically designed to keep your extensions moisturised and shiny.
Invest in Travel-Sized Aftercare Essentials
Travelling with your regular full-size bottles can be difficult, which is why travel-sized products are so important. Sulphate-free shampoos and conditioners, such as SWAY’s, are gentle on your hair extensions and help keep your hair soft. A lightweight extension-safe hair oilis great to keep frizz at bay after a long day in the sun, just be sure to keep your products away from your bonds.
How to Protect Hair Extensions from the Sun
Why UV Rays Can Damage Your Hair
Did you know that your hair, just like your skin, can be damaged by UV rays? Spending too much time in the sun can dry out your natural hair and your extensions, making them feel rough and dull. Blonde extensions may develop unwanted brassiness and darker colours may fade if they are not properly protected.
Use a UV Hair Protectant
The best defence against sun-induced dryness isThe Hair Hero. Apply through the mid-lengths and ends before heading out in the sun to create a barrier against damaging rays. The Hair Hero adds moisture and creates a shield against heat damage.
Cover Up When Possible
Wide-brimmed hats, silk scarves, and beach wraps are not only stylish holiday accessories, they also keep your extensions out of direct sunlight. If you're going to be out in the sun all day, it makes sense to cover up and avoid extra dryness and colour fade.
How to Protect Hair Extensions from Seawater and Chlorine
How Saltwater Affects Your Extensions
Cooling off in the sea is one of the most enjoyable things about any beach holiday, but saltwater can be damaging to extensions. It’s dehydrating, leaving your hair rough, tangled, and more susceptible to breakage.
Prevent as much salt from absorbing into your hair by rinsing with fresh water before swimming. After swimming, wash your extensions gently withSWAY’s hydrating shampoo and follow withSWAY’s hydrating conditioner to restore moisture. Pro tip: Always use aSWAY oval brush to detangle and avoid pulling on the bonds.
Dealing with Chlorine in Pools
Chlorine can beeven worse than salt water. This is particularly the case for lighter shades, but it can affect all hair, cause dryness, and sometimes slight discolouration.
Your best defence is to wear a protective swim cap if you'll be spending a lot of time in the pool. If that's not possible, soak your hair in fresh water and apply a small amount of The Hair Hero before swimming. This will act as a barrier and limit chlorine absorption.
How to Protect Hair Extensions from Suncreams and Oils
Here’s how to protect hair extensions from suncreams and oils.
Be Careful Where You Apply SPF
Suncream is one travel essential you can't leave behind, but a lot of them contain oils and silicones that may cause extension bonds or tapes to loosen up. The best way to prevent this is by applying suncream to your body and face first, and washing your hands before touching your hair. Try to avoid SPF on the root area and at the bonds if you can, concentrating on the lengths and ends.
Choose Extension-Safe Formulas
For those who like to use hair oils or serums to control frizz, be sure they are silicone-free and designed for extensions. Oils and serums made for natural hair can leave residues that may impact the lifespan of your SWAY hair extensions.
Keeping Extensions Fresh and Tangle-Free
Gentle Daily Maintenance
Humidity, wind, and heat can also make your extensions more likely to tangle up while you are travelling. Regular brushing with aSWAY paddle brush will maintain tangles without pulling the bonds. Always start brushing at your ends and gradually work your way up the hair.
Wash Carefully and Consistently
Try to wash your extensions every other or third day when you are travelling, or more often if you have been swimming in the ocean or pool. Remember to wash in lukewarm water and follow with the hydrate mask to look in lost moisture. Additionally, you should avoid letting your hair air-dry and use heat styling tools on a low heat setting.
Styling Extensions Safely on Holiday
Embrace Heat-Free Styles
Holiday temperatures have already stressed your hair enough, so if you can, avoid straighteners and curling wands. Opt for heat-free loose waves, braids, or low buns that look effortless and keep your extensions in excellent condition.
If You Must Use Heat
When styling your extensions with heat, use aheat protection spray formulated for extensions. Make sure your temperature is set to below 180°C at all times. SWAY’s styling capabilities are designed to provide silky smooth, frizz-free finishes and help protect your bonds.
Post-Holiday Hair Rehab
Once you are back home, it is highly recommended to book a follow-up appointment with your stylist to give your extensions some well-deserved post-holiday care. After days spent in the sun and exposure to saltwater, chlorine, and heat, your extensions may need a little extra attention to restore their softness and shine. A professional wash using sulphate-free products can help remove any residue and replenish lost moisture.
Your stylist can also perform a full maintenance check to make sure the bonds, tapes, or wefts are still secure and sitting comfortably after travelling. If needed, they may recommend a deep conditioning treatment or a specialised repair mask to strengthen your extensions and bring back their natural bounce and vitality. Taking this extra step after your holiday not only revives your extensions, but also helps prolong their lifespan, keeping them flawless and silky for weeks to come!
How to Protect Hair Extensions: FAQs
These are some FAQs on how to protect hair extensions.
1. Can I wear my SWAY extensions in the sea/pool?
Absolutely! Just make sure that you rinse your hair with fresh water before getting in the sea/pool and then wash with hydrating shampoo and conditioner once you’re out to remove any salt/chlorine build-up.
2. Will suncream damage my extensions?
Yes, sunscreen can harm hair extensions, particularly light blonde shades by causing them to turn pink or orange. This happens when common chemical sunscreen ingredients react with each other and discolour the hair.
3. Do I need to take any special products on holiday?
Yes! Always take your SWAY hydrating shampoo, conditioner, and The Hair Hero with you on holiday as they’re all specially designed to help keep your extensions in great condition. You should avoid any products containing sulfates, silicones, and heavy oils.
4. What can I do to avoid my extensions tangling and matting in humid conditions?
Brush your hair often and braid it at night. Use a lightweight conditioning spray to help avoid frizzing and tangling. On windy beach days, it will help to tie your hair back.
5. Will my extension colour fade/change if I am out in the sun a lot?
Yes, sun exposure will affect the colour of your extensions. This is especially the case with blonde and balayage extensions. UV protection hair sprays will help to prevent your colour from changing.
