How to Maintain Russian/Mongolian Extensions

Russian and Mongolian hair extensions are high-quality, 100% Remy human hair that can last up to 12 months - or even 3 years with professional care every two months. But without proper maintenance, they can quickly become dry, tangled, and unmanageable. Here's how to keep them in top condition:

Daily Brushing: Use an extension-friendly brush twice a day (morning and night) to prevent tangles. Start at the ends and work your way up to the roots, holding the bonds to avoid stress.
Washing Routine: Wash 2–3 times weekly with sulphate-free shampoo. Focus on the mid-lengths and ends when conditioning, avoiding the bonds. Use a deep conditioning mask weekly for extra hydration.
Heat Styling: Use heat protectant and keep styling tools below 177°C. Avoid applying heat near the bonds to prevent damage.
Overnight Care: Secure hair in a loose plait or ponytail with a silk scrunchie and sleep on a silk pillowcase. Never go to bed with wet extensions.
Professional Maintenance: Visit your stylist every 5–6 weeks for refitting and bond checks.

How to Properly Maintain Your Hair Extensions

Daily Brushing for Tangle Prevention

Hair extensions lack the natural oils from your scalp, making them prone to drying out and tangling easily. Shed hair can also get trapped in the bonds or wefts, leading to matting and clumping - especially with daily exposure to movement, friction, sweat, and wind.

The fix? Brush your extensions at least twice a day - once in the morning and again before bed. This routine helps remove trapped shed hair and keeps the bonds separated, preventing that dreaded "matted hair" look. By sticking to this habit, you set the foundation for keeping your extensions smooth and tangle-free.

Hair Wonderland offers brushes specifically designed for extensions, like the Tangle Tamer Brush and The Detangle Brush. These brushes use soft, flexible bristles that glide through your hair without pulling on the bonds, unlike standard brushes with hard plastic or metal bristles.

Correct Brushing Method

The way you brush matters. Start at the ends of your hair and gradually work your way up to the roots. To protect the bonds, hold the roots with one hand while brushing downward with the other. For stubborn knots, focus on the specific section by isolating the weft and gently brushing through it, rather than tugging at the entire area.

Alice Clayton, Brand Manager at Beauty Works, advises: "When brushing, start at the bottom of the extensions first and work your way up to the root, this will prevent breakage or damage to the hair".

Avoid brushing your extensions when they’re wet. Instead, wait until they’re at least 90% dry and use your fingers to gently loosen any tangles while the hair is still damp.

How Often to Brush

Consistency is key when it comes to maintaining your extensions.

Brush your extensions:

Twice daily - in the morning and before bed
Before every wash to get rid of knots and shed hair
Before and after swimming to prevent tangles caused by chlorine or saltwater

At night, secure your hair in a low, loose plait or ponytail to reduce friction against your pillow. Pay extra attention to the nape and the tops of the wefts, as these areas are most likely to tangle. Additionally, run your fingers through the hair near your scalp once a day to ensure the bonds stay separated. This small step can go a long way in preventing serious matting over time.

Washing and Conditioning Your Extensions

Taking care of your extensions goes beyond brushing; a thoughtful washing routine is key to keeping them soft, shiny, and long-lasting. Whether you have Russian or Mongolian extensions, proper washing techniques can help maintain their moisture and protect the bonds.

Washing Schedule and Technique

How often you wash your extensions depends on the type you have. For permanent extensions like tapes or wefts, aim for 2–3 washes per week. Clip-in extensions, on the other hand, only need a wash every 12–15 wears or when you notice product buildup. Washing too often can strip moisture, leaving your extensions dry and brittle.

Here’s how to wash them properly:

Detangle first: Use a wide-tooth comb or an extension-specific brush, starting from the ends and working your way up.
Use lukewarm water: Hot water can damage the fibres and dry out the hair.
Gentle shampooing: Apply a sulphate-free shampoo to your scalp and roots, then gently work the lather down the lengths without scrubbing.
Cool rinse: Finish with cool water to seal the hair cuticles, locking in moisture and enhancing shine.

"Washing your wefts is essential in fighting against sweat, dirt, grime and everything nasty. You should only wash temporary extensions every 13 to 18 wears, and ensure you're using the right shampoo for the job."
– Adam Hollander, Author, Angel Extensions

How to Condition Properly

Conditioning is just as important as washing, but it requires extra care. Focus on applying a moisturising, sulphate-free conditioner to the mid-lengths and ends of your extensions, steering clear of the bonds, tapes, or rings to avoid weakening adhesives. For extra hydration, use a deep conditioning mask on the ends once a week since extensions don’t benefit from your scalp’s natural oils.

A great option is Hair Wonderland’s Moisture Magic Treatment ($39.95), which works well as a weekly deep conditioning treatment. Be cautious with products containing sulphates, alcohol, protein, or keratin, as these can strip moisture and leave your extensions difficult to manage.

Drying Methods

How you dry your extensions is just as critical as how you wash them. After rinsing, gently pat them dry with a microfibre towel - never wring or twist. Air drying is ideal, but if you need to use a hairdryer, stick to low-medium heat with downward airflow, keeping it away from the attachment points to avoid damaging the bonds.

For added protection, apply 1–2 pumps of argan or treatment oil to the damp ends. This helps prevent frizz and keeps your extensions smooth as they dry.

Heat Styling and Protection

When working with Russian and Mongolian hair extensions, a bit of extra care goes a long way. These extensions lack natural oils, so it’s important to use the right heat settings, apply protection, and avoid exposing the bonds to direct heat.

Temperature Settings for Styling Tools

The temperature you choose for styling tools can make or break your extensions - literally. For 100% remy human hair, keep the heat under 121°C (250°F). If you're using high-quality raw Russian or Mongolian extensions, they can handle a bit more heat, ranging from 149°C to 177°C (300°F–350°F). Professional styling tools work best around 150°C to 170°C. Always start at the lowest setting and increase gradually if needed. For blow-drying, stick to a medium heat to avoid drying out the hair or damaging the bonds.

Extension Type	Maximum Temperature
100% Remy Human Hair	Up to 121°C (250°F)
Raw/High-Quality Extensions	149°C–177°C (300°F–350°F)
Professional Styling Tools	150°C–170°C

Applying Heat Protectant

Heat protectant is non-negotiable. Apply it to damp hair before blow-drying and to dry hair before using straighteners or curling tools. Spray the product evenly on the mid-lengths and ends, then use a wide-tooth comb to spread it out. For added protection, work 1–2 pumps of argan oil or a treatment oil into the mid-lengths and ends before styling. Using high-quality tools like GHD or Cloud 9 can also help minimise damage by evenly distributing heat.

"Always use a heat protectant when blow drying or heat styling your hair, and make sure your products contain SPF to protect your hair from the sun."
– Matt King, Director of Education, Fox and Jane Salon Group

Protecting the Bonds from Heat

The bonds holding your extensions in place are delicate, so they need extra care. Keep heat away from the bonds, tapes, or rings, as direct exposure can melt adhesives or cause slippage. When blow-drying, direct the airflow away from the attachment points. Avoid applying products like oils, serums, or heat protectants near the bonds, as they can weaken the adhesive. For straightening, glide the iron smoothly from root to tip without pausing, and keep curling time to a maximum of 8–10 seconds to avoid overheating.

With the right approach to heat styling, your extensions will stay looking flawless. Up next: how to maintain them overnight and during storage.

Overnight Care and Storage

Taking care of your extensions overnight is just as important as your daily routine. Since Russian and Mongolian extensions don’t benefit from natural scalp oils, they need a little extra attention before bedtime and during storage to keep them looking their best.

Preparing Extensions Before Bed

Never go to bed with wet extensions - this can lead to tangling, matting, and even scalp irritation or fungal issues. If you wash your hair in the evening, ensure your extensions are completely dry beforehand.

Before sleep, gently detangle your hair and apply 2–3 pumps of treatment or argan oil to the mid-lengths and ends to lock in moisture. Secure your hair in a loose, low braid or ponytail using a soft scrunchie or a silk tie to minimise tension on the hair.

Switching to a silk or satin pillowcase can make a big difference. Silk reduces friction by 43% compared to cotton, helping to prevent breakage, frizz, and damage to the hair cuticles. If you don’t have a silk pillowcase, wrapping your hair in a silk scarf or bonnet works just as well. In the morning, carefully undo your braid or ponytail and gently comb through your hair from roots to tips to remove any minor tangles.

For those using clip-in extensions, proper removal and storage at night is just as crucial.

Storing Clip-In Extensions

Always remove your clip-ins before bed to preserve their quality. Brush them gently, starting at the ends and working up to the roots, and ensure they are completely dry to avoid issues like mould, odours, or seam damage.

Store your clip-ins in a dedicated Clip In Bag (available for $54.00 from Hair Wonderland) or in their original packaging. This keeps them dust-free and tangle-free. Place the bag in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to protect the colour and the integrity of the hair. With proper storage, you can maintain a hair scale closure rate of over 90% and a colour retention rate of 82% for up to six months. Neglecting these steps, however, can increase the risk of hair fractures by 140%.

Maintenance Schedule

To keep your extensions looking flawless, it's essential to follow a simple routine of daily, weekly, and professional care. By sticking to a structured plan, your Russian and Mongolian hair extensions can stay in top condition, potentially lasting up to 14 months or more.

Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Tasks

Start with daily care. Brush your extensions twice a day with an extension-friendly brush, working from the ends upward to avoid unnecessary pulling. Hydration is key - use 1–2 pumps of treatment oil in the morning and 2–3 pumps before bedtime to nourish the mid-lengths and ends. Before sleeping, secure your hair in a loose braid or ponytail to prevent tangling overnight.

For weekly upkeep, wash your extensions 2–3 times using a sulphate-free shampoo, which is gentle on the hair. After each wash, apply conditioner to the mid-lengths and ends. To restore moisture, use a deep treatment mask once a week, leaving it on for up to 30 minutes. If your extensions require toning, limit the use of purple or toning shampoo to once every two weeks to avoid over-processing.

Professional maintenance is a must every 5–6 weeks. As Hair Wonderland explains, "Hair extensions require regular in-salon maintenance every 5–6 weeks. If you have finer hair, your stylist may recommend coming in every 4 weeks". These appointments are crucial for re-sectioning your hair and properly refitting the extensions, which helps prevent damage caused by natural hair shedding.

Summary of Tasks

Frequency	Task	Details
Daily	Brushing	Brush twice daily with an extension-friendly brush.
Daily	Hydration	Apply treatment oil (1–2 pumps in the morning, 2–3 pumps at night).
Daily	Sleep Prep	Secure hair in a loose braid or ponytail before bed.
Weekly	Washing	Wash 2–3 times with sulphate-free shampoo and condition mid-lengths/ends.
Weekly	Deep Treatment	Use a moisturising hair mask for up to 30 minutes.
Fortnightly	Toning	Use purple or toning shampoo (if needed).
Every 5–6 Weeks	Professional Check	Visit the salon for re-fitting and hair health assessment.

Conclusion

With the right care, Russian and Mongolian hair extensions can retain over 90% of their hair scale closure and 82% of their colour even after six months. In fact, they can last up to 12 months - or even as long as two years - when properly maintained.

To keep your extensions in top condition, it’s all about consistent habits. Start with brushing twice daily using an extension-friendly tool, such as Hair Wonderland's Tangle Tamer Brush. Limit washing to when necessary, and always use sulphate-free products. Scheduling professional maintenance every 5–6 weeks is also crucial. This helps manage the natural shedding of about 50 hairs per day, which, if unchecked, can create tension and potentially damage your natural hair.

When choosing products, avoid those containing protein, keratin, sulphates, or high alcohol levels. As Hair Wonderland advises: "Hair extensions are dead hair and do not receive nutrients from your scalp. Avoid using products with protein, keratin, sulphates, and high alcohol contents." Their Moisture Magic treatment is specifically designed to restore lost moisture without the risk of harmful additives.

Overnight care is equally important. Never go to bed with wet hair - secure it in a loose plait and sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase to minimise friction. For clip-in extensions, always store them in their designated bag to avoid tangling and moisture buildup.

FAQs

How can I stop my Russian or Mongolian hair extensions from tangling while I sleep?

To keep your Russian or Mongolian hair extensions smooth and tangle-free overnight, start by brushing them gently with a detangling brush made specifically for extensions. Work from the ends upward to avoid causing any damage or pulling on the hair.

Before bed, tie your hair into a loose braid or bun. This helps reduce movement and friction while you sleep, which are common culprits for knots and tangles. For extra protection, consider sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase. These fabrics are much gentler on hair, reducing friction and helping to maintain the extensions' texture.

By following these steps, you can wake up with extensions that look and feel just as good as the day before.

What should I avoid when washing Russian or Mongolian hair extensions?

To keep your Russian or Mongolian hair extensions in top condition and ensure they last, there are a few key washing practices to keep in mind. Avoid products with sulphates, alcohol, keratin, or proteins, as these ingredients can weaken or damage the extensions. Stick to lukewarm water rather than hot water, as heat can strip moisture and compromise the hair's quality.

When washing, handle the extensions with care. Skip any scrubbing, pulling, or twisting, which can cause tangles or breakage. Instead, gently work shampoo and conditioner through the hair in a downward motion. Also, if you're using heat styling tools, always apply a heat protectant first - exposing the extensions to direct heat without protection can degrade their quality over time.

These simple steps will help your extensions stay soft, natural-looking, and durable.

How often should I see a stylist to maintain my Russian or Mongolian hair extensions?

To maintain your Russian or Mongolian hair extensions in top condition, it’s a good idea to see your stylist every 5–6 weeks. If your hair is on the finer side, you might want to book appointments every 4 weeks to ensure the extensions stay secure and blend naturally with your own hair.

Routine check-ups are essential to avoid tangling, slipping, or any potential damage. This not only keeps your extensions comfortable but also helps them last longer.