According to Hairdreams Master Trainer Erin Hayden, extension maintenance all starts with a great consultation.

“Your client needs to not only have the tools, but also the knowledge for success,” she says. “Your client needs to fully understand what the attachment is made of and how to care for their hair.”

Here are five tips she provides to all her extension clients.

Brush your hair everyday: “I cannot emphasize this enough to first-time hair extension wearers,” Hayden says. “Your clients may think that they are not allowed to really brush or touch their hair, this is completely incorrect and you need to show them how to properly brush. I give them our special patented Hairdreams brush and show my clients to brush from roots to ends. The Hairdreams brush is designed to rake right through and over the bonds safely, while detangling the hair and bonds.”

Be careful of attachment points while styling. Hairdreams Laserbeamer Nano bonds lay so flat to the head and are so can be worn in different styles. Hayden stresses to use caution while using hot styling tools, though, and to stay away from the bonding points—even with a blow dryer. “Our patented Crystal Polymer bonding system can be damaged if not properly cared for,” she says. “It's great to show your client during their appointments how to easily and properly curl, blow dry and flat iron their own hair.”

Pull hair back while sleeping or swimming. This is to help eliminate tangling. It doesn't need to be a tight bun or ponytail, it can be loosely braided or really just held together in some manner. Hayden says a silk pillowcase is also better in reducing friction to the hair while sleeping.

Use correct hair products for your extensions. “We give all of our Hairdreams clients a full wet line of Hairdreams products to use on their hair,” Hayden says. “These products are crucial for maintaining the bonds as well as helping to bring out the beautiful shine in Hairdreams hair. If the wrong products are used, the bonds can be effected and it can cause build up or dryness to the ends of the hair.”

See your Hair Extension Specialist for regularly scheduled maintenance appointments. “We schedule our clients for a 4-6 week ‘tidy cut,’” Hayden says. “This is where the specialist will eliminate the roots of the shed hair in between the bonds. This is crucial to ensure a safe long -time wear. When this is not done, this will leave opportunity for knots and dreadlocks to form.”