Ania Pietryka Hair Educator

SUNDAY HAIR TIP — are you brushing your hair the wrong way?

It sounds like such a small thing, but after 30 years of working with hair, I can tell you that some of the most unnecessary damage I see doesn’t come from one dramatic mistake.

It comes from small habits repeated every single day.

And brushing is one of them.

If you place your brush at the roots and immediately pull it all the way through to the ends, you’re pushing existing tangles further down the hair.

Those tangles meet other tangles, resistance increases, and we instinctively start pulling harder.

That’s when we’re creating unnecessary tension, snapping and mechanical breakage.

Instead, start at the ends of your hair.

Gently detangle the bottom section first. Once the brush moves through easily, move slightly higher and repeat. Continue working upwards until you can comfortably brush through the entire length.

This is particularly important if your hair is fine, fragile, chemically processed or you’re wearing hair extensions.

And please — if the brush stops, don’t force it through.

Stop, support the hair with your hand and gently work through the knot.

We talk constantly about shampoos, masks, oils and expensive treatments, but healthy hair isn’t created by products alone.

How you wash it, dry it, brush it, style it and handle it every day matters.

Sometimes better hair care isn’t about buying another product.

It’s simply about changing the way you treat the hair you already have. 🤎

BEHIND THE CHAIR — why I chose 75g of Tape-In Extensions for this client.

When I show a before and after, I don’t want you to see only the finished result. I want to explain why I made the decisions I made behind the chair.

For this client, I chose Tape-In Hair Extensions and approximately 75g of hair.

Her natural hair is relatively dense and heavy, which is important when deciding how much extension hair to use. The extensions need enough density to blend naturally with her own hair — particularly through the ends — without adding weight simply for the sake of adding more hair.

We also made a deliberate decision not to create excessive length.

The longer we wanted to go, the more hair we would have needed to create a natural transition between her own hair and the extensions.

Instead, I kept the length much closer to her natural proportions and used the extensions primarily to create density, improve the shape and give the ends a much fuller appearance.

The colour was selected to blend with her mid-lengths and ends. When I’m matching extension hair, I’m thinking about where that extension actually has to disappear visually into the client’s natural hair — not simply matching one colour at the root.

And finally: maintenance.

For this particular client, I recommend approximately 6 weeks between Tape-In maintenance appointments, with 7 weeks being the maximum I would personally recommend for her.

And notice that I said for this particular client.

There is no maintenance schedule that I automatically give to everyone.

It depends on the method, natural hair density, condition, growth, lifestyle, aftercare and how the attachments behave as the natural hair grows.

This transformation used 75g.

Not 150g. Not hair down to the waist. Not an unnecessary amount simply to make the transformation look more dramatic.

Just the amount and length that I felt her hair actually needed.

After 30 years behind the chair, that’s still one of the most important principles for me:

The method, length and weight should fit the hair — not the other way around.

FRIDAY Q&A: How often should hair extensions be maintained?

This is one of those questions where I often hear very definite answers:

“Every 4 weeks.”
“Every 6 weeks.”
“Every 8 weeks.”

But after 30 years of working with hair, my answer is:

There is no single maintenance schedule that is right for every client.

The correct timing depends first of all on the extension method. Tape-ins, nano rings, wefts and keratin bonds are different systems and shouldn’t automatically be treated in exactly the same way.

But the method is only part of the picture.

I also look at the client’s natural hair density and condition, growth rate, lifestyle, aftercare and what is happening around the attachment points.

Someone with fine, fragile or chemically processed hair may need a completely different approach from someone with thick, strong hair.

Lifestyle matters too.

Frequent training, sweating, swimming, regularly tying the hair up for work, washing habits and even the way you sleep with your extensions can influence how they behave between appointments.

And there is another important factor: natural shedding.

Your hair continues its normal shedding cycle while you’re wearing extensions. With some extension systems, shed hairs can remain around the attachment until maintenance or removal.

Meanwhile, the attachment continues moving further away from the scalp as your hair grows.

That’s why I don’t recommend deciding to postpone maintenance simply because:

“They still look fine.”

What we see through the lengths isn’t the whole story.

A good extension specialist should assess what is happening at the attachment and with the natural hair supporting it.

So if you ask me:

“Ania, how many weeks can I leave my extensions?”

My answer isn’t going to start with a number.

It’s going to start with your hair.

The method should be adapted to the client — and the maintenance schedule should be too.

Have a question you’d like me to answer next Friday? Leave it in the comments. 🤎

HOW TO SLEEP WITH HAIR EXTENSIONS — your nighttime routine matters more than you think.

One of the things I’ve learned after 30 years of working with hair is that even a beautifully fitted set of extensions can develop problems if the aftercare isn’t right.

And nighttime is a big part of that.

Before bed, your extensions should be completely dry — particularly around the attachment areas. Wet hair is more vulnerable to mechanical damage, and sleeping with damp extensions can encourage tangling and matting around the attachments.

Brush your hair gently before going to sleep, starting from the ends and working upwards. Then secure longer extensions in a loose braid or soft, low ponytail rather than leaving them completely loose.

The key word here is loose. We want to control movement without creating unnecessary tension on the natural hair or attachment points.

I also recommend considering a silk or satin pillowcase. A smoother surface creates less friction as you move during the night, which can help reduce tangling and unnecessary wear.

None of these things are complicated.

But this is exactly why I talk so much about aftercare.

A stylist can choose the correct method, weight and placement and perform a beautiful application — but once you leave the salon, looking after your extensions becomes a partnership.

What you do every day — and every night — matters.

Dry. Brush. Secure. Protect. Repeat. 🤎

Good extensions aren’t only about how they look on fitting day. They’re about keeping both the extensions and your natural hair in the best possible condition between appointments.

Ania Pietryka
Hair Education | Hair Extensions

HAIR NEWS & TRENDS: The extension trend is changing.

For years, hair extensions were primarily associated with one thing — length.

Longer hair, more grams and dramatic transformations.

But I’m very happy to see the industry moving increasingly towards a much more personalised approach: natural density, discreet application, strategic placement and results that simply look like beautiful natural hair.

And this transformation from my own work is a perfect example of why more hair does not necessarily mean better hair.

I used only 65g of Secret Taping™ Extensions here.

The purpose wasn’t to completely change the client’s hair or add an unnecessary amount of weight. It was to work with what she already had — adding density where it was needed, improving the overall shape and creating a natural transition between her own hair and the extensions.

That is how I believe extensions should be approached.

It shouldn’t begin with:

“How many grams can we fit?”

It should begin with:

“What does this particular head of hair actually need?”

Sometimes that may be 150g. Sometimes it may be 100g. And sometimes, as you can see here, 65g can completely transform the appearance of the hair.

Method, weight, placement, natural hair density, condition and lifestyle should all be considered before deciding what is appropriate for an individual client.

After 30 years working with hair, one thing I strongly believe is that a good extension application should complement the natural hair — not overpower it.

Less about length.
More about density.
More personalisation.
More consideration for the natural hair.

And ultimately:

The best extensions shouldn’t look like extensions.

Would you have guessed there were only 65g of extensions in this transformation?

HAIR SCHOOL: Do you actually know your hair porosity?

We hear so much online about low, medium and high porosity hair, but porosity is often presented as though it tells us everything we need to know about our hair.

It doesn’t.

Hair porosity essentially describes how readily your hair absorbs and retains moisture, and the condition of the outer layer of the hair — the cuticle — plays an important role.

Generally, lower-porosity hair is more resistant to absorbing moisture, while more porous hair tends to absorb it more readily but may also lose it more easily.

This is particularly relevant when hair has been coloured, lightened, chemically treated or damaged.

But here’s the important part:

Porosity is only one piece of the puzzle.

When I look at someone’s hair professionally, I’m not interested in one viral “porosity test” alone.

I’m looking at the hair’s diameter, density, texture, condition and chemical history as well.

Why?

Because two people can both have supposedly “high-porosity hair” and still need completely different products, treatments and routines.

This is also why I’m not a fan of blindly following somebody else’s hair routine just because their hair appears similar to yours on social media.

Every head of hair is individual.

The more you understand your own hair, the easier it becomes to make informed decisions about products, colouring, chemical services and everyday care.

And that is exactly what Hair School is about — understanding the why, rather than simply following another trend.

Do you know whether your hair is low, medium or high porosity? Let me know in the comments. 🤎

HAIR MYTH MONDAY: “Hair extensions don’t damage your hair.”

Let’s talk about this properly, because I believe clients deserve an honest answer.

Can hair extensions damage your natural hair? Yes, they can.

There is no extension method that I would describe as completely risk-free for every person. Anything attached to natural hair can introduce additional weight, tension, friction or stress.

But that doesn’t mean extensions automatically destroy your hair.

The goal of professional extension work is to minimise unnecessary stress and reduce the risk of damage as much as possible.

And that starts long before the extensions are fitted.

We need to consider the condition and density of the natural hair, existing breakage or shedding, scalp condition, previous chemical damage, lifestyle and whether the natural hair can comfortably support the chosen method and weight.

One method does not fit everyone.

More hair isn’t automatically better either. The correct weight, placement and amount matter enormously.

And then there’s something clients sometimes underestimate:

Your stylist fits your extensions. You live in them.

What happens between appointments matters.

Correct washing, gentle brushing, thorough drying, avoiding unnecessary tension and attending maintenance appointments are all part of wearing extensions responsibly.

A beautiful professional application combined with poor aftercare can still result in problems.

After 30 years working with hair, I would never promise a client:

“This method cannot damage your hair.”

My approach is different.

Choose the right method for the individual. Apply it professionally. Use an appropriate amount of hair. Maintain it correctly. Educate the client. And minimise unnecessary stress wherever possible.

Education before extensions. Healthy hair always comes first.

What have you been told before — that extensions damage hair, or that they’re completely safe? I’d love to hear your experience in the comments.

Hair Tip Sunday

One of the simplest ways to protect your hair is to be much more gentle with it when it’s wet.

Wet hair can stretch more easily and is generally more vulnerable to breakage, especially if it has been heavily lightened, coloured or chemically treated.

And one of the mistakes I’ve seen repeatedly over the years is being far too rough with freshly washed hair.

Aggressive towel rubbing, twisting the hair tightly or pulling a brush through knots can all place unnecessary stress on the hair.

Instead, gently squeeze out excess water, use a suitable leave-in or detangling product if needed, and start brushing from the ends, gradually working your way upwards.

If your hair is bleached or already fragile, this matters even more.

Healthy-looking hair is rarely about one miracle product.

Very often, it’s the small things you do consistently at home that make the biggest difference over time.

How do you dry your hair after washing — gently, or are you still guilty of the towel rub?

Behind the Chair — why I chose Secret Tape-Ins for this client.

When it comes to hair extensions, I don’t believe in choosing a method simply because it’s popular. The method should always be chosen around the client’s natural hair, its condition, density and individual needs.

This client had very fine, delicate and heavily lightened hair. My priority wasn’t to fit as much hair as possible — it was to create length and density while being mindful of what her natural hair could comfortably support.

For this particular client, I chose Secret Tape-Ins.

The flat attachment allowed us to keep the extensions discreet, while the weight of the added hair was distributed across wider sections of her natural hair.

And here is something I think is really important:

We used only 75g of hair.

More extensions don’t automatically mean a better result. Sometimes using less — but choosing the right method, placement, length and weight — creates a much more balanced transformation.

The result speaks for itself: beautiful length, added density, movement and a natural blend. 🤍

After 30 years behind the chair, my approach is simple:

The method should fit the hair — not the other way around.

When choosing extensions, what matters most to you: maximum length, more volume, or keeping the result as natural as possible?

Ania Pietryka
Hair Education | Hair Extensions

It’s Friday Q&A.

After 30 years in the hair industry, I’ve seen thousands of different hair problems, transformations and mistakes — and now I want to use that experience to answer your questions.

Today, you choose the topic.

Maybe you have a question about hair colour, hair extensions, hair care, damaged hair, scalp care or extension aftercare.

Whether you’re wondering which extension method might suit your hair, how to look after your colour, why your hair keeps breaking or what you could be doing differently at home — ask me.

Leave your question in the comments below. 🤍

I’ll be answering your questions, and I’ll also choose some of them to turn into future Hair Education posts so we can explore the topics in more detail.

There are no silly questions. If you’re wondering about something, chances are someone else is wondering about it too.

So, what would you like to ask a hairstylist with 30 years of experience? ↓

Ania Pietryka
Hair Education | Hair Extensions