Hair Dusting: Keep Your Extensions Looking Fresh

Despite hair oils, conditioners and preventative care, sometimes split ends just happen and are a normal and inevitable part of the life cycle of our hair. The longer your hair is, the older it is: every inch a story of every windy, rainy, flat iron, blow dryer, sunny day and night in your life. When the fiber of your hair becomes dry, brittle and compromised, it will fray just like rope, splitting off into pieces - a condition formally called Trichoptilosis. Hair extensions are made from real human hair, so split ends can happen to them just as frequently, if not more so, as they do your own natural hair. A visit to the salon and the solution of course is for your hairdresser to cut your hair, moving your ends up to healthier hair and sweeping away the split ends. But what do you do when you don't want to lose the length of your hair (or extensions) and need to clean up those cooked, splitting ends? 

What is Hair Dusting?

The answer: Hair Dusting! At 25 million views, the technique to remove split ends in a way that keeps hair length has been blowing up on TikTok. It's the same technique most hairdressers already do during your trip to the salon that you may not even be aware. It's also fairly simple: with an expensive pairs of shears, you nip off just the split ends of the hair, usually less than an inch. Because it's such a small amount in different lengths for blending, it is a barely noticeable loss in length. 

How Do You Do Hair Dusting?

Hair Dusting Technique is relatively simple if done right, and it'll take a few tries before you feel confident that you've nailed how to do it well. ALMOST as well as your own hairdresser.

• You need sharp, thin scissors to do the job well. Hairdressers use special scissors that cleanly cut the ends in a way that regular scissors you may have about your house will butcher the ends.
• Flip your hair up against a contrasting background, such as a wall or even piece of paper. For instance if you have blonde hair or blonde extensions, a a dark wall or even dark paper will help you see more easily. The key to this technique is being able to see the split, dry and damaged ends and only cut off what you need to.
• There are two ways you can "dust" your hair:
• Section your hair, looping it under your index finger and over your middle finger tightly. Move your fingers down the hair slowly, cutting off any split ends that poke out.
• Alternatively the other technique showcased on TikTok is the twist and cut technique. Simply twist your hair section by section, taking your time to look for any split ends sticking out.

The process can be time consuming, especially with thicker or coarser hair, so don't try and remove every single split end. Removing the majority of them will leave your hair (and extensions) looking healthier.

How Often Should You Do Hair Dusting?

It's recommended to get your hair cut and cleaned up every 6 to 8 weeks to keep your hair looking its best and avoid split ends completely. If you tend to stretch out your hair appointments or enjoy using thermal styling tools, haircolor, or chemical services…your hair will need greater care. You can hair dust and snip away any split, dry and damaged ends every few weeks, followed by a deep conditioning treatment. The use of hair oils such as Argan Oil can help keep your hair nourished, hydrated and protected from many forms of damage on a daily basis.

How Do I Avoid Split Ends As Much As Possible?

Proper hair maintenance and care can go a long way to minimizing the hair fraying and splitting. Check out our in-depth article on the Do's, Dont's and science of split ends here!

Read more: Fast & Easy Ways to Get Rid of Split Ends - Perfect Locks