The Truth About Mesh Topper Maintenance

By Kelly Maxwell, Founder and Master Extension Stylist at Kelly Maxwell Hair Extensions. Meet Kelly.

I tell every client the same thing on install day: the work we did today is only half the job. The other half is what you do at home for the next several months. A mesh system is an investment, and like anything worth having, it stays beautiful because it is cared for. The good news is that the care is simple once you understand it.

How do you maintain a mesh integration system?

Wash two to three times a week with sulfate-free shampoo, condition mid-shaft to ends only, never at the mesh, brush from the ends up with a loop brush, sleep on silk with hair loosely braided, and see your stylist for a move-up every four to eight weeks. Follow that and a system stays beautiful for its full six to twelve month life.

Washing without wrecking it

Sulfate-free shampoo, always. Sulfates strip the cuticle and cut the life of your hair in half. Shampoo at the scalp and let it rinse through the length. Condition only from the mid-shaft down, never at the attachment, because conditioner at the mesh loosens it. Two to three washes a week is the sweet spot. Daily washing wears the hair; less than twice a week lets buildup irritate the scalp.

Brushing and sleeping

Brush from the ends up, working out tangles gently before you ever pull through from the root. Use a loop brush or soft bristle made for extensions, never a regular brush that catches the wefts. At night, braid loosely and sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase. Going to bed with wet hair is the fastest way to matting I know.

The move-up is not optional

Your natural hair grows about half an inch a month, and as it grows the system moves away from the scalp. Every four to eight weeks, depending on your hair and your install, you come in and I reset it. Skipping move-ups is the number one cause of tension and damage I see. It is not upselling, it is the difference between healthy hair underneath and a problem.

What to never do at home

Do not color it yourself, do not cut it yourself, do not use oil-based products at the mesh, and do not try to fix slippage on your own. Call me. A five-minute adjustment in my chair prevents a two-hour repair later.

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Shop the Kelly Maxwell Line

Everything I mention here is part of the line I built for licensed cosmetologists. Approved stylists get access to all of it.

Looking for a professional who trained in this method? Find a certified stylist near you, or learn more about the Elevate Mesh Integration program.

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