The Ultimate Maintenance and Aftercare Guide

Welcome to the ultimate maintenance and aftercare guide for hair extensions. We know life gets busy between work, family and social life, but your hair care doesn’t have to take a backseat. If you want your coveted Donna Bella Hair (DBH) extensions to look just as fresh as they do in the salon chair, then we’ve got one word for you: maintenance! Our semi-permanent extension methods require move-up appointments to help maintain and freshen up your luscious locks. With the proper tools and techniques, you can extend the life of your extensions, and we’re not just talking about your added inches.

Along with maintenance comes aftercare! This includes everything from brushing, washing, and styling your extensions. All of our aftercare products are quick, easy and gentle to use on both your extensions and natural hair to help you maintain fab look for every season. Discover the maintenance tips, tricks and aftercare routines to keep those extensions looking fierce.

How to Maintain your Tape-In Extensions

A stylist and consumer fav all around! Like all of DBH's professional methods, they are made with 100% Remy human hair that is double drawn and stitched to a 1.5" wide weft. The install process is fast, seamless and the wefts gently attach to the hair with medical-grade adhesive--making the maintenance part just as easy. Here's what you need to maintain your Tape-In extensions.

Maintenance Must-Haves

• Replacement Tape - replaces the original tape when it’s time to reinstall Tape-In extensions with medical-grade adhesives for a safe and secure bond.
• Easy Release Tape - replaces your original tape when it’s time to reinstall your Easy Release Tape-In Extensions with an enhanced and hypoallergenic tape for faster and hassle-free reinstalls.
• Single Sided Tape - allows you to install and reinstall Tape-in extensions using one weft per section rather than sandwiching the natural hair between two wefts. This creates a weightless and seamless install for those with fine hair.
• Tape-In Bond Remover - breaks down the Tape-In bonds using an oil-based formula for a safe and gentle removal, hassle-free!
• Easy Release Bond Remover - breaks down Easy Release Tape-In bonds. A quick and easy removal now faster than ever!

The Dos and Don’ts of Maintenance & Aftercare for Tape-Ins

• Schedule move-up appointments every 4-6 weeks to avoid added weight and tension from your grown out hair. This could lead to premature slippage and breakage, which we don’t have time for.
• Use DBH Replacement, Easy-Release, or Single Sided Tape for all maintenance care to ensure best results.
• Saturate each weft with remover and wait five seconds before removing the extension from the natural hair for smooth and easy removals.
• Remove the weft downward in the direction of the natural hair to avoid unnecessary pulling, tugging and damage.

• Wash your hair after a fresh install. We recommend you wait 72 hours to allow the Tape-In bonds to set properly.
• Do not force the weft out of the natural hair. If you are having trouble with removal, we recommend spraying more remover as needed.
• Do not remove the weft by pulling from left to right. You want to remove each weft by pulling downward in the direction of the natural hair for a swift and easy removal.

How to Maintain your Kera-Link Extensions

Looking for a customizable style? Go with Kera-Link extensions! This strand-by-strand method bonds to your natural hair when bonded with a keratin-tipped extension. Once the bond is melted by our Keratin Melting Connector, you can style them any way you’d like while seamlessly hiding the bonds.

Maintenance Must-Haves

• Keratin Bond Remover - breaks down Keratin Bonds quickly and gently with an alcohol-based formula that is safe to use on both extensions and natural hair.
• Keratin Rebonds - replaces old Keratin-Link tips for a fresh reinstall. They come in a variety of colors to match the natural root for a seamless finish.

The Dos and Don’ts of Maintenance & Aftercare for Kera-Links

• Schedule move-up appointments every 4-6 weeks to avoid added weight and tension from your grown out hair. This could lead to premature slippage and breakage, which we don’t have time for.
• Use DBH Bond Remover for easy and smooth removals.
• Break up the keratin bonds with the Luxe Tool before spraying Bond Remover to ensure proper saturation before removal.
• Apply the right amount of remover to one bond at a time. It may seem faster, but the formula will dry out before you can finish the job if applied across multiple bonds.
• Gently comb out any leftover residue after the keratin bond has been removed from the natural hair.

• Use a non-recommended melting connector on the Keratin Bonds. We recommend using the DBH Melting connector to securely seal the bonds over the natural hair.
• Do not apply remover before breaking the bond. Always break it up with the Luxe Tool to allow the remover to saturate the bond properly before removing it from the natural hair.
• Do not apply remover across multiple bonds. If applied across numerous bonds, the formula will dry out before you can get to each bond.
• Do not force the keratin bond out of the hair. If you have trouble with removal, continue to break up the bond and add more remover as needed until it gently glides out of the natural hair.

How to Maintain your Hybrid Weft Extensions

It’s the best of both worlds! Hybrid Wefts combine the seamless design of Hand-Tied Wefts with the durability of Machine Sewn Wefts. They are completely customizable to your iconic style with all the comfort you’d want from your extensions. There’s no need to worry about adhesives or unraveling. Just sew them in, and you’ll be on your way!

Maintenance Must-Haves

• Silicone Beads - aluminum bead lined with a protective silicone layer to create the beaded row that securely holds Hybrid Wefts in place for every reinstall. Ensure blending goals by matching the natural root with a variety of colors to choose from.
• Thread - sews Hybrid Wefts onto your silicone beaded row. Match the natural roots to the color of the thread for the best kind of blend.

The Dos and Don’ts of Maintenance & Aftercare for Hybrid Wefts

• Schedule move-up appointments every 6-8 weeks to avoid added weight and tension from your grown out hair. This could lead to premature slippage and breakage, which we don’t have time for.
• Use DBH Beads and Thread for all maintenance care to ensure best results.
• Use new silicone beads to ensure the bead is not compromised and the new attachment points are secure.
• Match the beads to the natural root for a seamless color blend.

• Use Flare or Grooved Beads for reinstall. For best results and a secure install we recommend using Silicone beads to attach your beaded row.
• Do not reuse old beads for reinstalls. Used beads could be compromised from prior installs and won’t hold the weft as securely in place as a new bead.
• Do not force the weft out of the natural hair. If you are struggling with removal, then make sure you’ve cut all attachment points and removed the beads.

How to Maintain your Beaded Extensions

Full length, volume and movement. Need we say more?... Actually, yes! The beaded methods are some of the most versatile and easy-to-use extensions on the market. Choose between I-Link (pre-tipped in a cylinder shape) and Flat-Tip (pre-tipped on a small weft), which are then anchored to natural hair with beads.

Maintenance Must-Haves

• Silicone Beads - aluminum bead lined with a protective silicone layer that securely holds the extension in place. We recommend using these beads for Hybrid Weft installs and on fine hair.
• Grooved Beads - aluminum bead with grooved lining for a stronger grip on the natural hair. We recommend using these beads for I-Link installs, Flat-Tip installs and on all hair textures.
• Flare Beads - copper beads with a longer design laying flat in natural hair. We recommend using these beads for Flat-Tip installs and on all hair textures.

The Dos and Don’ts of Maintenance & Aftercare for Beaded

• Schedule move-up appointments every 6-8 weeks to avoid added weight and tension from your grown out hair. This could lead to premature slippage and breakage, which we don’t have time for.
• Use DBH Beads for all maintenance care to ensure best results.
• Use new beads for each maintenance appointment to ensure the bead is not compromised and the new attachment points are secure.
• Match the beads to the natural root for a seamless color blend.

• Forget to securely clamp each bead into place for a secure install. We recommend clamping the middle and each side of the bead to ensure a secure hold.
• Do not reuse old beads. Used beads could be compromised from prior installs and won’t hold the weft securely in place.
• Do not force the extension out of the natural hair. If you have trouble with removal, use our Flare Tool’s rescue tool to open stubborn beads for an easier removal.

Hair Extension Aftercare Must-Haves

What’s the key to successful maintenance? Aftercare! Whether you just got a fresh new set of extensions or just moved them up, your at-home care is where the magic happens. Here a few extra products to keep handy for your day-to-day hair routine:

• Extension Brush - Treat your extensions to some TLC! This brush is made with natural boar hair and nylon bristles to condition hair and prevent tangles. Gently brush over your attachment points with ease!
• Wet Brush - Best detangler ever! Add this to your shower routine brushing your extensions from the mid-shaft down to effectively and gently detangle those locks!
• Wide Tooth Comb - Get back to the basics! Gently detangle and smooth out your textured extensions while ensuring they maintain their lovable shape and bounce.
• Silk Pillowcase - Indulge in luxury! This pillowcase helps eliminate unwanted frizz and friction in your hair, plus it’s great for your skin.
• Twisties - Ponytail goals for dayyys? Yes! Secure those up-dos safely without the worry of creases and pulling.

We hope you learned some new information about how to care for your hair with Donna Bella's The Ultimate Maintenance and Aftercare Guide.