The complete guide
How to Care for Raw Indian Hair Extensions
Raw hair is real, unprocessed human hair, so it thrives on the same care as your own. Follow this routine and your bundles stay soft, shiny and tangle free for years, not months.
The short answer
How do you take care of raw Indian hair?
To care for raw Indian hair extensions, wash every one to two weeks with a sulfate free shampoo in a downward motion, deep condition to keep the hair hydrated, detangle gently from the ends upward with a wide tooth comb, and air dry whenever possible. Keep heat at or below 450 F with a heat protectant, and sleep in a silk or satin bonnet to prevent friction. Because the hair is unprocessed, this routine keeps it soft and reusable for three to five years or more.
Our hair is single donor temple hair with the cuticle fully intact, which is why it behaves like living hair. That same quality is why it needs real care rather than the throwaway habits people use on processed extensions. Below is the exact routine we recommend, built from years of handling raw hair at our own facility.
Your everyday routine
The 4 Step Care Routine
Unpack and Rest
When your order arrives, remove the hair from its airtight plastic packaging and let the static settle. The tight packaging causes temporary static, which calms on its own once the hair can breathe.
Detangle Gently
Using a wooden wide tooth comb, work from the ends up to the weft, never top down. This clears tangles without pulling, which prevents breakage and shedding.
Wash the Right Way
Wash with a sulfate free shampoo in cool water, always in a single downward motion. Never scrub in circles, as that is what causes matting at the roots of the weft.
Deep Condition and Air Dry
Apply a moisturizing conditioner, focus on the mid lengths and ends, and leave it for around ten minutes. Rinse with cool water to seal the cuticle, then air dry to protect the natural texture.
Go deeper
Washing, Moisture and Heat
Washing
Wash every one to two weeks, or every ten days for wavy and curly textures. Overwashing strips natural moisture and causes dryness.
- Use a sulfate free moisturizing shampoo only.
- Wet with cool or lukewarm water, never hot.
- Apply shampoo root to tip and rinse in a downward motion.
- Between washes, co wash with conditioner only to refresh without drying.
Moisture
Raw hair no longer receives oils from a scalp, so hydration is the single most important habit for longevity.
- Deep condition every two to three washes.
- Use a light leave in conditioner so the hair drinks moisture without going limp.
- A little natural oil, such as argan or coconut, adds shine, especially on curly textures. Use sparingly.
Heat and Styling
Raw hair takes heat well, but heat is still the fastest way to shorten its life if used carelessly.
- Always apply a heat protectant first.
- Keep tools at or below 450 F. Human hair begins to break down above this point.
- Air dry when you can. If blow drying, use low to medium heat with a nozzle and paddle brush.
Nighttime Protection
Most tangling and frizz happens overnight from friction against cotton bedding.
- Sleep in a silk or satin bonnet, or on a silk pillowcase.
- Tie the hair in a loose braid or low ponytail before bed.
- Never sleep on wet hair, as damp friction causes matting.
Quick reference
Do This, Not That
Do
- Detangle from the ends upward, when wet and conditioned
- Use sulfate free, moisturizing products
- Deep condition and hydrate regularly
- Air dry and protect at night with silk or satin
- Color and bleach only with a licensed stylist
Do Not
- Scrub or wash in circular motions
- Use sulfate shampoos or heavy silicone products
- Brush dry curly hair, or detangle from the roots down
- Sleep on wet hair or on cotton
- Bleach at home or exceed 450 F with heat tools
Care by texture
Every Texture Is a Little Different
Curlier textures are naturally drier and need more moisture. Use this as a quick guide, then shop the texture you wear.
| Texture | Wash frequency | Moisture need | Best tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight | Every 1 to 2 weeks | Low | Paddle brush |
| Wavy | Every 10 days | Medium | Wide tooth comb |
| Deep Wave | Every 10 days | Medium to high | Wide tooth comb, fingers |
| Curly | Every 10 to 14 days | High | Fingers, then wide tooth comb |
Coloring and Bleaching
Because raw hair is unprocessed with an intact cuticle, it takes color like healthy natural hair and can be lifted to light shades, even to a clean blonde like 613, without the melting you get from processed hair.
- Always color and bleach with a licensed professional stylist.
- Deep condition immediately after any chemical service.
- Avoid over bleaching at home, which is the fastest way to weaken any extension.
Want a shade that is already consistent with no coloring needed? See our raw Indian hair bundles.
The right tool matters
Why a Neem Wood Comb
The single easiest upgrade to your routine is swapping plastic for wood. Plastic combs build static and snag the cuticle, which is exactly what causes frizz and shedding in raw hair.
Detangle Without the Damage
Our neem wood wide tooth comb is shaped to glide through raw hair, so you detangle gently from the ends up without the breakage plastic causes.
- No static. Wood does not build the static charge that makes plastic combs cling and frizz the hair.
- Smooth on the cuticle. The polished wood teeth slide past strands instead of snagging, which protects the cuticle that makes raw hair last.
- Naturally neem. Neem wood has long been valued in Indian hair care for its gentle, natural properties.
- Made for detangling. Wide set teeth are ideal for wavy and curly textures that need careful, gentle combing.
People also ask
Raw Indian Hair Care FAQ
How often should I wash raw Indian hair extensions?
Every one to two weeks for straight hair, and about every ten days for wavy and curly textures. Washing too often strips the natural moisture and leads to dryness and frizz, while washing too rarely lets product build up.
What shampoo is best for raw Indian hair?
A sulfate free, moisturizing shampoo. Sulfates strip the natural oils that keep raw hair soft, so a gentle sulfate free formula preserves shine and extends the lifespan.
Can I use heat on raw Indian hair?
Yes. Raw hair handles heat well, but always use a heat protectant and keep tools at or below 450 F. Human hair starts to break down above that temperature. Air drying is always the gentlest option.
How do I stop my extensions from tangling?
Detangle from the ends upward with a wide tooth comb, ideally when the hair is wet and conditioned. Sleep in a silk or satin bonnet, and tie the hair in a loose braid at night. Most tangling comes from friction and dryness, both of which are avoidable.
How long does raw Indian hair last with proper care?
Three to five years or more. Because the hair is never chemically weakened, the same bundles can be washed, styled and reinstalled many times when the routine above is followed.
Can I color raw Indian hair myself at home?
We strongly recommend a licensed stylist. Raw hair lifts to light shades beautifully because the cuticle is intact, but home bleaching is the most common cause of damage. Always deep condition after coloring.
Questions About Caring for Your Hair?
Not sure which routine fits your texture, or how to keep a specific install fresh? We are happy to help, and you can test the quality first with a sample.
Order a Sample Kit