After getting hair extensions from salons that do hair extensions, your scalp might feel hypersensitive and you might get that familiar itchy feeling. Have you ever wondered why it happens? Let’s know the possible causes that can lead to an itchy scalp and how you can stop that.
Itchy Scalp With Hair Extensions
Reasons Why Your Scalp Might Be Itchy
Here are some reasons why your scalp might be feeling itchy after hair extensions are applied.
Tight Hair Extensions
Some hair extensions, like sew-in or braided extensions, can be super tight on the hair strands. When they’re too tight, the extensions can pull on your hair and you might feel an itchy sensation on your scalp, when in reality, it’s your hair being pulled by the extensions.
Scalp Sensitivity
Not all hair types and scalps are suitable for extensions. Some people have extremely sensitive scalps and hair extensions can cause irritation and itchiness on the scalp.
There are glues, adhesives, and other application methods used when applying different hair extensions on the hair closest to the scalp. These adhesives and substances can cause reactions with the scalp, which in turn, can lead to a lot of itchiness. That’s not going to be comfortable at all, and on top of that, you’re putting your scalp at risk too.
So, before even going for extensions, make sure that your scalp isn’t sensitive or reactive to the hair or adhesive bands used in them. Your hairstylist or dermatologist may be able to help.
Sebum Or Build-Up
A lot of the time, improper hair washing can lead to itchiness in the scalp too. If you don’t wash your hair properly, then there might be sweat and sebum still lingering on the base of the scalp and that can cause severe itchiness.
You might chalk up this situation to being gentle with the hair extensions because that’s what you were advised in the first place, but a bit of scrubbing on the scalp won’t impart damage to your hair and you can achieve a clean and itch-free scalp along with beautiful and voluminous hair.
Bad Aftercare
Brushing your hair is so important. It gets the blood circulation going in your scalp and it also distributes the natural oils throughout your hair which your scalp produces.
With hair extensions, however, a lot of people seem to put hair brushing to a complete stop, in the name of “not wanting to tug the extensions and rip their hair”. But it’s so crucial to brush your hair because you will get rid of the itchiness that you’re feeling with a simple 15-minute hair brushing session. Sometimes, the simplest things are the most effective.
Tugging & Manipulation
There’s a weird limbo with not wanting to tug your hair too much when your extensions are applied on the scalp, but not leaving the extensions as they are either. Hair extensions can cause your scalp to itch endlessly if you tug on the hair too much.
If you’re using heat tools and blow dryers and tossing your hair mindlessly, then your extensions will be at risk of being ripped from your scalp and this can start with itching. If you feel a lot of itching when you’re styling it then it’s probable that your extensions have either ripped or they’re on the verge of getting torn.
The Scalp Is Dry
Over-shampooing your hair isn’t good for the scalp either. Your scalp needs to be clean, but that doesn’t mean you need to shampoo your hair every single day. Having a good shower routine is a must if you don’t want your extensions to itch. Shampooing your hair nicely and effectively is key to getting rid of an itchy scalp.
Over washing the hair can lead to the stripping of the natural oils in your scalp which your body produces to nourish the skin and that can lead to a dry and damaged scalp that will itch a lot too.
Injured Scalp
Sometimes, the application of hair extensions can also cause some nicks and cuts on your scalp. That shouldn’t happen in the first place, but if you’re getting complicated extensions in your hair like sew-in or adhesive-based extensions, then some injuries will be normal.
As these injuries heal, itching is a natural thing to occur. The urge to run your fingers through the scalp and to scratch the itch away is tempting, but you don’t want to give in because you’ll only end up doing more bad than good by touching the injury and opening the wound again. Scratching too much can also cause an infection in the wound.
How To Stop Itchiness Due To Hair Extensions?
Here are some things you can do to combat itchiness.
Keep Your Hair Clean
A good shower and shampoo routine is a must for all of the people out there. If you wash your hair right, then there won’t be any itching related to a dirty scalp. Your scalp needs to be cleaned effectively and that’s only possible through a good shower routine.
So, use your fingers to scrub in the shampoo and get rid of any dirt, sebum, dandruff, and build-up on the scalp. You will see and feel the difference in no time.
Oil Your Hair
If you suffer from a dry scalp, then oil is your best friend. You might be apprehensive about oiling your hair, especially if you have extensions on, but a bit of oil doesn’t hurt anyone and you can safely apply it on the hair extensions as well.
Something to remember is that less is more. You don’t need to drench your hair in oil because that can cause the extensions to loosen as well. Use oil sparingly because you just want to nourish your dry scalp so that itching becomes non-issue and you can comfortably sport the extensions.
Remove The Extensions
If a lot of time has passed and you’ve tried it all, but the itching still doesn’t go away, then you probably need to remove the extensions from your hair. There is probably an allergic reaction that’s causing your scalp to itch after applying extensions and the best way to deal with that is to remove the extensions once and for all.
This is why it’s so important to do your research before getting extensions because not everyone is suited for them. There can be reactions and irritation that can damage the hair as well as be detrimental to the scalp.
Do It Right
When going for hair extensions, you need to choose a technician who’s an expert because they will apply hair extensions in such a way that won’t lead to any itching. A lot of the time, amateur stylists can mess up the application process and this is mainly the reason why you get an itchy scalp.
So, if you’re spending the money and time to go and get extensions in your hair, then try to opt for a professional. Their reviews will say it all and the process will be super quick too because they have trained hands and eyes.
Conclusion
A temporary itchy scalp, after hair extension application, is completely normal, but if it’s not going away, even after weeks have passed, then there’s something gravely wrong with the hair extensions, the adhesive, or the scalp and you need to inspect it further. Visit the hair extensions salon Potomac to communicate your problems with the hairstylist and, if required, go to a dermatologist as well.