Cleaning Tips
The third step in the maintenance process is cleaning your scalp and hair system base after removal.
ITEMS REQUIRED:
* Amber / Lace Release (TM)
* Extra Mild Olive Oil (available in super markets)
* 1ft sq Mirror Tile (available in DIY stores)
* Cotton Wool
CLEANING YOUR SCALP:
Follow these instructions to effectively remove adhesive residue from your scalp.
1. Spray citrus oil adhesive remover onto your scalp and allow to penetrate the residue for 1-3 minutes.
2. Firmly wipe off the adhesive residue with kitchen roll (useful because of its abrasive surface) until any trace of adhesive has been completely removed.
3. If there is a lot of residue on the scalp and in your hair, use a fine tooth nit comb. This is a fantastic tool for removing residue from the scalp and hair. Gently comb it over the scalp and hair and it will collect the residue on the comb.
4. Shampoo your scalp and hair to remove any trace of adhesive remover, then rinse thoroughly. It may be necessary to repeat this step a few times because any trace of adhesive or the remover will weaken the strength of subsequent bonding.
How to Prepare the Scalp before Attaching A Hair System
CLEANING YOUR SKIN BASE HAIR SYSTEM:
It is also essential to completely remove any adhesive residue from your system to guarantee the efficacy of your bonding.
1. Spray citrus oil adhesive remover onto the skin base and allow to penetrate for 1-5 minutes.
2. Firmly wipe off adhesive residue with kitchen roll until all traces of adhesive have been completely removed.
3. Shampoo the underside of your system to remove any trace of adhesive remover, then rinse thoroughly. It may be necessary to repeat this step a few times because any trace of adhesive or the remover will weaken the strength of subsequent bonding.
CLEANING A LACE SYSTEM (INCLUDING LACE FRONT SYSTEM):
To clean the lace effectively, we use a technique called the ‘Mirror Slide’. It may seem a tad elementary, but it is really effective at removing surface residue from the lace and is used widely within the professional hair replacement industry – a great insider tip!
1. Using any household mirror (we use a 1ft square mirror tile purchased from a DIY store), gently press the bottom of the lace (area to be cleaned) onto the upper section of the mirror.
2. Now gently slide the system towards you, over the entire length of the mirror. You should now notice the adhesive residue has collected on the mirror.
3. Clean the adhesive residue off the mirror using isopropyl alcohol and kitchen roll.
4. Repeat this process until the entire lace is clean.
TIP:
If there is residue stack on the cuticle hair, simply apply a bit of olive oil to the affected area to lubricate the adhesive then gently pick it off the hair
TIPS FOR REMOVING TAPE:
1. Using your fingers, lift a corner of the tape up and gently peel the tape off the system.
2. If the tape is difficult to peel off, spray a fine mist of lace release (Amber or C22) onto the tape to ease removal.
If there is any tape residue remaining on the system, please follow the cleaning instructions above.
FAQS ON CLEANING HAIR REPLACEMENT SYSTEMS:
Clients of Lordhair have submitted the following FAQs on cleaning hair replacement systems to remove adhesive, tape and glue residues:
1. What is the best way to clean the hair system?
Depending on the attachment type:
If you are using Daily Wear Tape then peel off the hair system gently, and we have found that the best way for longevity is to get into the habit of peeling from the back of the hair system moving forward so when you come to the front you are peeling towards your nose and this will put less strain on the delicate front hairline.
If you are using permanent attachments for more than a week at a time then spray a little Amber (or lace release solution) around the adhered areas (normally the whole perimeter), leave to soak for a few minutes and then remove the hair system. Again if possible remove the hair system from back to front.
The above question has more to do with removal of hair systems. We do have a section on this but we wanted to add this here for a better understanding before going into clean up!
THE BEST WAY IS TO REMOVE THE HAIR SYSTEM; REMOVE THE REMAINING ADHESIVE RESIDUE FIRST, THEN WASH AND DRY THE SYSTEM.
2. I’ve removed my hair system and the adhesive has become tacky in the lace and around the perimeter poly?
Spray Amber (or lace remover or an equivalent oil based solvent) onto the tacky lace and poly then leave for as long as it takes to see ‘melt down’ (this is the appearance of adhesive becoming loose). This could take 1 minute or 20 minutes as it all depends on which adhesive has been used and how much oil you release from 'your' scalp during the attachment time. Gently wipe away the residue with a lint free rag (MICROFIBER IS THE BEST).
3. I've removed my full head bond skin hair system. How do I get the adhesive off the base?
Firstly place the hair system in a bowl, a small oval bowl like a glass mixing bowl would be best.
Tip ¼ of a cup amount of Amber onto the base and massage the whole circumference.
Leave the hair system in the bowl for as long as you can... at least 20 minutes.
Remove the hair system from the bowl and place on a flat surface.
With a card (maybe a phone card or an old credit card) scrape the residue gently into the middle. Please be careful particularly around the edges.
Scoop the residue that has gathered in the middle of the hair system 'away' with a spoon.
How to Remove the Glue and Wash a Skin Hair System
4. The residue remover has left an oily film on the base. How do I remove it?
For all lace materials use a Lace Release or any alcohol (sparingly) this will remove the oil, and then you can rinse and wash the hair system. THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE WHEN THE NEW ADHESIVE IS APPLIED IT WILL NOT STICK TO 'ANY' ADHESIVE REMOVER.
5. How about full head bond adhesive ‘Cream Adhesive’ on lace fronts?
After you have released the hair system from your scalp with Adhesive Remover, Lace Release or Amber, the residue from the Cream Adhesive can be quickly and safely wiped off the lace using a lint-free cloth. Microfiber towels work the best, as the thousands of little hooks in the cloth take 100% of the glue out of the lace immediately.
6. What is the best way to wash the hair system?
TIP: Detergents such as shampoo don't clean, only the lather from the detergents can clean. So work up a lather!
We feel that if you have time you should put your hair system in a bowl of warm water with shampoo, leave for 10-15 minutes and then rinse.
It is best to rinse under a running tap or shower head of warm water. ALWAYS go from the back of the hair system and go forward whilst holding the base. This will 'help' prevent ‘wash-through', where some hairs make their way to the bottom side of the unit.
You can also use a light combed brush while rinsing, brushing the water through GENTLY in one direction, back to front.
Then roll the hair system in a towel to absorb most of the water. This will help the hair system's durability.
7. How about conditioning the hair system?
Exactly the same as shampooing the hair system, except using a conditioner of your choice.
8. How about showering if I am wearing the hair system?
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT WHEN USING THE METHOD DESCRIBED BELOW THAT YOU DO NOT BRUSH HARD AGAINST THE BASE. AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS YOU WILL GET THE EXPERIENCE OF DOING THIS BY BARELY TOUCHING THE BASE.
When showering before you wet the hair put conditioning spray onto the hair and brush all the hair forward from the back towards the forehead.
Put your head forward and with one finger hold the back of the hair system and with the other hand comb (with a brush) the hair forward in the direction of the running water.
Apply the shampoo with the palm of your hand from the back forward and gently brush the shampoo through.
Rinse the shampoo away with the running water and brush all in one direction.
9. Do exactly the same when conditioning.
This intensive way of washing your hair helps clean your scalp underneath the base which eliminates any shampoo build up, which can cause irritation.
Obviously, you do this form of shampoo and condition in the privacy of your own home... it won't look 'TOO GOOD' washing your hair this way at your local gym! Wash your hair normally when in a public place.
This way of washing your hair system at home will help your hair system's durability and help your wallet too!
10. I have adhesive in my hair after removal?
Spray on a little All Purpose Remover or Amber and use a fine toothed comb or a Microfiber towel to gently comb away the adhesive residue. Most importantly if this is a regular occurrence then you are putting too much adhesive on the hair system's perimeter when applying. Use the thinnest possible coat of liquid glue and let it dry before you push down the lace. If using tape, remove the hair system more frequently so the tape doesn’t get time to break down into a tacky residue.
11. How often should I remove my hair system to clean it?
Daily wearers should remove the tapes and replace with new ones every day and shampoo once a week.
Semi-permanent wearers wearing 1-2 weeks should do a 'full clean up' after the removal.
Permanent wearers should go NO longer than 4 weeks.
Again everyone is different, every scalp is different, so individuals should take note of their scalp oils and also how tight the bond feels over a period of weeks. It’s great if your hair looks fantastic BUT scalp odor is completely unacceptable and is not healthy.
So our advice would be NO longer than 4 weeks with you taking note of your own scalp response to your particular adhesive method.
12. Is there any other way to remove adhesive residue from a lace hair system?
Yes, once you have removed the hair system, use a hairdryer set on cool and dry the base and residue for a few minutes.
Then apply fresh, strong tape directly over the residue and press it on firmly using a blunt object such as an old credit card (coming handy again) or even your thumb nail (clear of adhesive).
Release this new tape from the hair side of the lace and it should come off with most of the residue attached.
Then use your Lace Release or Amber to clean up the remaining residue.
Here's a video tutorial about removing the glue residue and washing the lace hair system.
How to Remove the Tape and Wash a Lace Hair System
13. What is the 'mirror slide’?
It's one of the easiest ways to safely remove glue residue from those holes on the lace.
From the front, press onto the glass and make sure the lace is firmly against the glass.
Then 'carefully' but firmly slide the hair system down the glass.
The adhesive/residue gets pulled out of the lace and deposits itself on the glass leaving the lace clean and clear.
With most adhesives the Microfiber cloth is a slightly better method, try both and see which is best for your attachment and adhesive during clean-up.
14. Is it safe to use a hair dryer to style my hair system?
HEAT IS DEATH TO SYNTHETIC HAIR…UNLESS FROM A STEAMER.
For human hair, yes it is safe to use a dryer, please use it on a cool setting.
When we say safe you might think that it must be because it’s a hair dryer, but there are a few other things you should think about.
People with their own natural hair that over use a hairdryer end up with split ends and dry looking hair, and their hair is dormant from the follicle. Hair in your hair systems is dead and the more heat or brushing that is exerted on the hair system, the less longevity it will have. So, by all means use a hairdryer, but use it sensibly. Try and get used to air drying your hair, pat the hair dry with a towel and get used to styling the hair into place while damp.
15. What kind of shampoos and conditioners should I use?
Some shampoos may work a treat for two washes and on the third you will find out the detergent has been completely stripping your hair!! The same with conditioners. Some could give you a look of gloss for a few conditions, then you notice your hair system is going bald, and this will be due to the conditioner affecting the ventilation or knotting. Hence, it is correct the best choice should be to purchase HAIR REPLACEMENT SYSTEM purpose only shampoo and conditioner.