As a stylist, you’ve probably seen it happen: two clients with the exact same install, same hair, same aftercare instructions - yet one is back at 12 months with extensions still looking glossy and full, while the other is struggling at six.

What's the difference?

It's not the hair. It's not even the install. It's how the client treats their extensions every single day.

Here's what separates the clients who get a full year (or more) from their Loxys extensions - and the ones who don't.

1. They Follow the Aftercare Instructions

This sounds obvious, but it's the biggest factor.

The clients who get 12+ months are the ones who:

• Wash 2–3 times a week, not daily. 
• Use salon-quality, sulphate-free, protein-free products.
• Apply heat protectant every single time they use hot tools.
• Brush gently, starting mid-length and working down in sections.
• Sleep with their hair in a loose braid or ponytail.

The clients who don't make it past six months? They're washing daily with low quality shampoo, using heat with no protection, and going to bed with loose, unbrushed hair.

Extensions aren't natural hair. They don't get oils from the scalp, they don't self-repair, and they can't recover from neglect the way natural strands can. Consistency in care is everything.

2. They Book Regular Maintenance

Clients who get long wear don't skip maintenance appointments. They book every 4–6 weeks like clockwork, even if "everything feels fine."

Because by the time an extension issue feels noticeable, it's already causing damage:

• Rows slip and create tension on natural hair.
• Matting begins at the root.
• Wefts loosen and shift, creating uneven weight distribution.

Regular maintenance keeps everything secure, prevents unnecessary stress on natural hair, and catches small issues before they become big problems.

The clients who stretch appointments to 8, 10, or 12 weeks? They're the ones dealing with breakage, tangling, and premature wear.

3. They Protect Their Hair from Hidden Hazards

The clients who get a full year know how to navigate the sneaky culprits that ruin extensions:

• Chlorine – they saturate their hair with leave-in conditioner or pre-swim treatment before swimming.
• Hard water – they've invested in a filter or use clarifying treatments.
• Sunscreen and fake tan – they keep it away from their hair or use mineral formulas.
• UV exposure – they use leave-in products with UV protection and avoid prolonged sun exposure.

4. They Listen to Their Stylist

The clients who get long wear trust their stylist's advice. When you say "don't use that shampoo," they don't. When you recommend a specific brush or heat protectant, they buy it.

They don't try to DIY tone their hair at home. They don't experiment with random products. They stick to what works because they value the investment they've made.

The clients who don't make it to 12 months? They second-guess everything, cut corners on products, and then wonder why their extensions aren't lasting.

5. They Prioritise Hair Health Before the Install

This one starts before the extensions even go in.

Clients who get long wear come to the appointment with healthy, well-maintained natural hair. They've been using quality products, avoiding excessive heat, and keeping their scalp in good condition.

Clients who struggle often have compromised hair to begin with—over-processed, brittle, or dealing with scalp issues. Extensions can't fix existing damage. They can only enhance what's already there.

A healthy foundation = longer-lasting extensions.

TL;DR:

Loxys extensions are designed to last 9–12 months - but only if the client does their part.

The difference between six months and a full year isn't the hair. It's the care, the consistency, and the commitment to maintenance.

When you educate your clients on what it actually takes to make extensions last, you set them up for success. And when they succeed, they become your best brand ambassadors - raving about their hair and rebooking before they even leave the salon.