ABIGAIL NICHOLLS
Hair Extension Specialist
── meche integration aftercare ──
everything you need to know about
looking after your meche integration system
meche integration sytem aftercare
A Meche Integration System is a commitment and requires additional time dedicated to aftercare. This will ensure your natural hair also remains in healthy condition during wear.
Following our recommended guidelines will ensure problem free wear and extend the lifespan of your hair replacement system.
Establishing a good aftercare routine is essential.
post fitting
Your newly fitted system should not feel uncomfortable or painful although it can take a while to become accustomed to, not just physically but psychologically and emotionally.
After installation occasionally clients report their head feels 'itchy'. Not everyone will experience this, but it is perfectly normal and generally settles down within the first week. (Patting the itch rather than scratching is advised)
If you have any concerns please feel free to contact us.
We recommend you wait a week after fitting to allow the system to settle and the scalp to rest before shampooing,.
natural hair loss
Natural hair loss is normal and part of the hair growth cycle.
On average you lose between 50 - 150 hairs a day, These are the hairs you find in your hairbrush, collecting in the plughole on your shoulders etc.
Your hair will go through different cycles continuously throughout the head.
Your cycle my change or be interrupted at any time caused by many factors such as stress, hormonal changes, diet, medication changes, illness, pregnancy or menopause.
Clients who have a diagnosed hair loss condition may lose higher volumes of hair due to the nature of the condition, all of which will have been discussed during consultation.
We monitor and document any changes during your system wear. Should you experience any adverse changes we will make you aware and make recommendations for medical referral if felt necessary. Wie may not refit your system until these changes have settled or resolved.
The health of your natural hair & scalp is always our priority.
during wear / hair growth
Your natural hair will continue to grow whilst wearing your system The rate of growth will vary client to client.
As a result your connections will move further down the head away from the scalp, loosening the system. Your hair will also continue its natural shedding cycle. The hairs which would usually be found in your hair brush or plughole will remain trapped inside the connections and underneath the meche..
These shed hairs can be recognised as loose sprouts of unattached hair with a tiny white dot on the end.
This is NORMAL and no cause for alarm.
stitching
The Wefts and Parting are stitched in position onto the meche base with a bonded nylon thread. The thread is incredibly strong. Each row is started & finished with a series of secure knots. Very rarely does this thread come undone. However if this does occur the entire row will not become unstitched, if remedied quickly as each stitch is locked before adjoining the next.
Please contact us ASAP and we can restitch the effected area.
Any stitching which comes undone within the first 2 weeks will be restitched free of charge. (Provided recommended aftercare products are being used and aftercare guidance being followed)
brushing
* By beginning at the ends this prevents pulling and dragging knots and tangles through the entire length preventing excessive strain on the hair and scalp
Pictured here is the Abigail Nicholls Hair Extension Brush
All the Abigail Nicholls aftercare products can be purchased in salon or via our online SHOP
cleansing
Brush hair before washing.
All Abigail Nicholls product range can be purchased in salon or via our online SHOP.
conditioning
Always condition hair after shampooing.
Some conditioners contain heavy silicones which can cause heavy build up on the hair causing it to be lank and 'clump' together, so always use the recommended Abigail Nicholls Plush Hair Extension conditioners
*If the closure / parting requires conditioning, section this off and rinse by leaning this section forward to prevent conditioner seeping onto connections & meche.
*Once a week use the Abigail Nicholls Lavish Intense deep conditioning treatment as this will extend the longevity of your system..
All the Abigail Nicholls aftercare products can be purchased in salon or via our online SHOP
drying
Do not leave wrapped in towel for a prolonged period of time as this can lead to matting.
Never tie the hair up or go to bed when the hair is wet as this will also cause matting.
The connections are made from a powder coated copper and will form a green residue over time if left damp regularly. (This is caused by copper oxidisation and what you find on the copper pipes in your home)
It can also transfer a visible green colour to blonde hair.
The paint can also begin to peel if the rings are constantly left damp.
heated styling tools
Your system is 100% Human Hair and can be heat styled just as you would your natural hair.
Using the Abigail Nicholls Opulant leave in conditioner and Quartz Serum will provide heat protection and help to moisturise the hair.
You can also use a other heat protection but you must check the ingredients do not contain the sunscreen Avobenzone as this will lead to discolouration in blond extensions. (See Holiday Aftercare)
styling products
Styling products can be used but ensure the meche area and connections are avoided.
Be sure to check the ingredient list for the sunscreen Avobenzone which is commonly used in products with UV filters and heat protection products.s this will lead to discolouration in blond hair.
Please refer to Holiday Aftercare for more info on Avobenzone and other names it it is listed as.
sleeping
Tie hair in a loose, low ponytail or plait. (Plaits also produce nice waves for the next day)
NEVER go to bed with wet hair as this will lead to matting.
We recommend the use of a silk pillowcase and scrunchie.
separating the rows
The unique placement of the weft hair naturally keeps the rows more separated due to the bigger space between each row, (depending on how many rows are fitted)
To prevent matting of the free natural hair which has been pulled through the meche and the rows of weft hair, t is important to separate the rows regularly and at least once a week.
Section hair row by row, starting with the bottom row.
Using your fingers run between each row underneath weft top
Gently tease apart any natural hair that feels matted or tangled.
Using your extension brush, brush the free natural hair between each row using the brushing technique paying particular attention to the root area.
Bring down the remaining hair from the weft row brushing both the natural hair and extensions from above the weft top
Repeat row by row.
Good daily brushing will prevent tangling & matting.
If an unmanageable matt has formed contact the salon to book a maintenance appointment ASAP.
cutting
Meche Integration Systems are cut using a completely different technique than natural hair, so always return to your hair replacement specialist to perform this for you.
Having your system trimmed during wear will help keep it in pristine, healthy condition.
colour fade & colouring your system
Hair used for Meche Integration Systems & Hair Extensions undergo colour processing during manufacture.
The hair when it is selected at source is Virgin Hair, meaning it has never undergone a chemical process.
The hair begins at a very dark shade from black to dark brown.
It is gently lifted to lighter shades (over several weeks) and then coloured down to the required shade.
This is to ensure all batches are the same as the colour selected from the colour rings for consistent colour matching.
If you colour your natural hair you will have regular root retouches and the colour will be taken through the lengths to freshen the colour from fading and ensure the colour is the same throughout.
All the brands we use are chosen for the longevity of wear and the same applies. If the hair fitted to your system lasts for more than 12 months its natural to expect that over time the colour will fade over time and the degree will vary depending on what it has been exposed to.
Hard Water discolouration due to mineral deposits is different to colour fade (see Holiday Aftercare for Hard Water Discolouration)
However Hard Water creates a pH imbalance causing the cuticle to raise, thus resulting in faster colour fade allowing the colour deposits to stripped from the hair faster.
Also the use of '"No Tears" formula childrens / baby shampoo will accelerate colour fade, although the ingredients are mild, these have a higher pH level as above.
Blonde systems will need maintaining to prevent brassy tones appearing. Using our recommended Blue Shampoo once a week will help prevent this.
Some blondes may require a toner to maintain tone.
Ash shades will gradually throw off warmer tones due to the underlying colour (remember extensions are coloured down in shade)
Using our recommended Blue Shampoo will help maintain tone, however a professional toner may be required over time.
*Colouring of your system hair is always done at own risk, even if performed by a professional.
*Coloured system hair invalidates any manufacturer guarantees as this changes the structure of the original product
*We always recommend a test strand before colouring the hair to assess final result
*System hair can be coloured down in shade or tone but we do not recommend attempting to lighten.
*Some of the flat weft tops we use are double stitched & adhesive sealed which prevents shedding. Chemicals from colour can break down the additional adhesive seal which may cause some shedding from the weft.
This image sis a perfect example, The same client with her weft at 6 months and on removal at 12 months. It originally was a dark brown matching the weft top.
This client did not have her weft coloured during wear as she was happy with the ombre / balayage effect it created.
She also did not use our recommended aftercare products which help prevent colour fade.
This image is also a perfect demonstration of a neat application, good aftercare ensures a neat, easy to maintain growth, here the Lock Stitch is clearly visible and intact.
colouring your natural hair
The recommended time to have your colour service is at your refit appointment.
If your have natural hair exposed eg perimeter edges or below the system if you only have a half meche this area can be coloured with the system is in place.
The system must not be coloured whilst it is on the head.
exercise
Tie hair up. Not tightly or very high on top of the head as this risks pulling on the hair in the lower nape area.
If head becomes wet due to sweat wash and dry thoroughly after.
swimming / hot tubs / jacuzzi
You can swim whilst wearing a Meche Integration System but strict aftercare guidelines must be followed.
Also applies to use of a hot tub.
*For further information please see Swimming Aftercare
holiday aftercare / sunscreen / discolouration
Please see Holiday Guidelines for full explanation.
Blonde hair systems may experience orange / pink discolouration even if you haven't travelled abroad.
This can be caused by 4 factors:
sunbeds / saunas / steam rooms
Wrap dry hair in a hair turban to protect.
Hair continuously exposed to UV light will experience colour change over time.
matting
Matting occurs due to poor aftercare or not returning for your refits / removal during the recommended time. This will mean an excess of natural shed hair which can become entangled with the natural hair and neighbouring shed hair.
Matting is one of the primary causes of damage.
This is due to the hairs being pulled in from all directions and twisted and caught within the matt.
Tying hair up and going to bed with wet hair will cause matting.
Not separating the weft rows regularly and not brushing the root area correctly also cause matting.
Hard Water has a high pH value causing the cuticle to raise, this can result in the outer layer being 'roughened" which can also be a contributing factor to matting.
(Please see 'Holiday Aftercare" for further info on Hard Water effects.
If you can feel a matt forming deal with it immediately.
If it is not manageable book a maintenance appointment ASAP
Unfortunately severe matting can only be removed by removing the weft hair so please be meticulous in your aftercare routine.
realignments / refits
You must return for your realignment / refit within the timescale recommended to you.
When your system is initially fitted it has 100% support sections securely holding it in tight position.
As your hair continues to grow and naturally shed there is less support from the hair at the root / scalp over time.
Your realignments and refits are recommended within a timescale based on your personal requirements, to ensure that there is no risk of the system moving & pulling the remaining support hairs from the scalp
No liability is accepted for damage occurring from not returning within the recommended time scale, self removal or carried out by third parties including other extensionists and salons.
do's
dont's
aftercare products
We offer a range of Aftercare products all designed specifically for Hair Extensions.
You will be advised on the products most suited to your personal requirements.
Please click here to view the full range.