Do You Have To Use Special Products On Hair Extensions? Salon Vs. Supermarket
Hair extensions demand a thoughtful wash and rinse routine to maintain their strength, volume, lustre and lifespan. But what’s the best option — generic supermarket hair products or salon-approved hair extension products?
In this guide, we’ll explore what goes into protecting your investment, help you learn about the best products to use on hair extensions, highlight nasty ingredients to avoid and explain why specialised hair extension hair products (and an expert salon team) are the golden ticket to keeping your locks silky-smooth and shiny for longer.
Supermarket hair products — to buy or to avoid?
When it comes to extensions, supermarket hair products won’t cut it. While convenient and affordable, the shampoos, conditioners, treatments and oils you find in the aisles are doing more harm than good.
One of the biggest distinctions between supermarket hair care and salon-quality hair extension hair products lies in the formula’s ingredients list, particularly silicones. These synthetic, rubber-like polymers form a protective, plastic-like coating around the hair follicle to keep environmental aggressors away from the hair shaft. While this temporarily leaves your locks looking and feeling smooth, the harshness of this chemical causes an unwanted build-up of oil, dirt and dead skin cells over time. This blocks your hair from receiving the nutrients and nourishment it needs to thrive, leading to dull, lifeless strands that desperately require some TLC.
Supermarket hair products can also interfere with colour penetrating your hair, leaving you with murky results. In some extreme cases, your hair can steam when coloured, so the build-up prevents the colour from working effectively.
Other nasty ingredients commonly found in supermarket shampoos and conditioners are sulphates, parabens and harsh cleansers that can be too abrasive for extensions. These can strip away the moisture and those essential protective layers that keep your set looking and feeling healthy and hydrated.
Why specialised, extension-safe hair products are key to luscious locks
Hair salon products will always outperform supermarket hair products as they’re expertly formulated to cleanse, hydrate, nourish and protect. These products generally use higher-quality ingredients that preserve your hair’s integrity, benefiting it from the inside out. This level of care is particularly important for extensions, which can be more prone to dryness and damage if handled with the wrong products.
By investing in professional-grade, extension-safe hair products like shampoos, conditioners and treatments, you’ll incorporate specialised formulas that won’t disrupt the bonds or tapes that keep your extensions in place — extending their longevity while minimising issues like slippage or premature loosening.
The best products to use on hair extensions should be sulphate and paraben-free formulas with no keratin or proteins. As we know, sulphate is drying and can strip your colour and interfere with the outcome of your colour services. Parabens are harmful to your body and are known to be carcinogenic.
At Eve Hair Extensions, we love and often recommend OriLab Organic Hair care and Masks by NAK Hair.
Say goodbye to bad hair days with Eve Hair Extensions
For those who value healthy hair, the difference is clear — specialised hair salon products safeguard, nourish and hydrate your natural hair and extensions, while supermarket hair products often lead to dryness, buildup and diminished shine over time.
Ready to transform locks with durable, long-lasting extensions? Whether you’re craving extra length, fuller volume or a seamless colour match, the team at Eve Hair Extensions specialises in fast and efficient hair extension applications using real human hair.
Book your free consultation online today, or contact us to learn more about our pricing options and quality guarantee.