Protect your extensions this summer - Avoid discoloration with the right care.
This is a friendly reminder about color changes that can occur in extensions due to exposure to avobenzone and self-tanning products. Summer is typically the time of year when this becomes a recurring issue – discoloration caused by external factors such as chlorine, copper, or sunscreen. Most sunscreens contain ingredients that can cause extensions to turn light pink or orange due to a reaction with the hair.
We recommend avoiding sunscreens that contain avobenzone, or always keeping your hair moisturized and tied up in a bun before applying sunscreen to prevent your extensions from coming into contact with your skin (don’t forget to protect your body from the sun, too). To prevent discoloration of your extensions, make sure to detox and deeply moisturize the hair, as dry hair tends to absorb discoloring substances more easily.
What’s the science behind it all?
Essentially, the color change is the result of a chemical reaction. When sunscreen is absorbed by the hair and exposed to UV light, it causes the cells to break down in a process known as reactive oxygen species (ROS). The cells break down and release electron particles, which form a new cell structure. When the hair is rinsed with water – such as from showers or pools – the electron particles bind to minerals in the water such as iron, copper, magnesium, calcium, and silica on the hair cells, triggering a reaction. The result is a pink/orange hue.
Take care of your extensions this summer:
During the summer many of us long for sun, swimming, and lazy days. But don’t forget to take care of your extensions to avoid discoloration or hair that feels dry and brittle. When we go on vacation many things can affect our extensions, as well as our natural hair. Most people know that salt water dries out the hair and that chlorine can cause discoloration, but there are also other metals – such as copper or well water – that can lead to changes in color. Sunscreen can also cause a reaction when extension hair comes into contact with the skin, due to an ingredient in many sunscreens called avobenzone.
So make sure to hydrate and protect your hair properly this summer to avoid discoloration from external factors. If you’ve been swimming in salt water or chlorinated pools, or if your hair has come into contact with sunscreen during the day, be sure to wash it thoroughly before using a blow dryer or heat styling tools.
Step by step:
1. Wash your hair twice with BHBD Spray Shampoo and rinse thoroughly.Blonde hair? Wash one additional time with BHBD Silver Shampoo.
2. Apply BHBD Mask to your lengths and leave it on for 5–15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly.
3. Apply BHBD Conditioner and rinse.
4. Towel dry your hair and apply BHBD Hero Mist.
5. Blow dry the attachments and hair until it’s dry.
6. Style your hair to your desired result.
Tips for moisturizing your hair before a day at the beach: Apply BHBD’s mask to towel-dried hair before heading to the beach. Tie your hair up in a bun to avoid contact with the
skin and sunscreen.
Tips for removing pink/peachy tones in extensions that have been discolored by sunscreen exposure
Tip 1 – Customer / Hairdresser – Malibu C Hard Water Kit:
• Shampoo the hair once with Malibu C Hard Water Shampoo, then rinse out.
• Shampoo, rinse, and pour the Hard Water sachet into the palm of your hand. Rub your
hands together and add water to dissolve the crystals. Apply and work the product through the hair, then leave it on for 5 minutes. Rinse out.
• Shampoo and rinse thoroughly again.
• Apply conditioner and rinse.
• Apply BHBD Mask and leave on for 20 minutes, then rinse out.
Tip 2 – Hairdresser – Malibu C Crystal Gel:
• Shampoo the hair twice with BHBD Spray Shampoo.
• Pour the crystals into a mixing bowl or applicator bottle with 60ml of warm water. Whisk
or shake well until it becomes a gel. The mixture should be used immediately. Work the mixture thoroughly through the hair. Leave on for 15-45 minutes, then rinse out.
• Shampoo twice with BHBD Spray Shampoo.
• Apply BHBD Mask and leave on for 10-20 minutes, then rinse out.
• Finish with BHBD Conditioner.
• The extension hair is now ready to be toned, retaped, and reapplied.
Tip 3 – For customers with panic – Citric Acid:
• Shampoo the hair once (or twice) with BHBD Spray Shampoo.
• Mix citric acid with BHBD Shampoo and apply it over the discoloration.
Leave it on for 5 minutes.
• Shampoo once with BHBD Spray Shampoo, rinse out.
• Apply BHBD Mask and leave it on for 10-20 minutes, then rinse out.
• Apply BHBD Conditioner and rinse out.
• Before styling with heat, add BHBD Hero Mist.
Tip 4 – BHBD Shine Tone:
BHBD Shine Tone comes in six shades and provides both color and deep care with maximum shine. Apply to clean, towel-dried hair. Leave on for 5-15 minutes, rinse thoroughly, and finish with BHBD Conditioner or Mask.
