How to Wash and Style Hair Extensions

Hair extensions can be an expensive investment, which is why you want to ensure you wash and style them correctly to reduce the risk of damaging your new extensions. It’s not uncommon to feel a little anxious when it comes to washing your hair extensions for the very first time.

The good news is that washing your hair extensions is much easier than you may have thought. Clip in extensions will also need washing from time to time, while semi-permanent hair extensions will be washed and styled as part of your natural hair.

Washing clip-in Extensions

The first step is to unclip the extensions from your head and give them a brush, removing any tangles. You are then going to submerge them in water, ensuring that the clips are closed. A great tip is to tie them with a band, which ensures that the extensions don’t tangle too much in the water, making it easier to brush out any knots and dry them.

Washing Your Hair Extensions

Make sure the water isn’t too hot. Lukewarm water is ideal for extensions, preventing damage while helping to lather up the shampoo to remove any product build-up. You want to wash the extensions in the shower and not over the bath, and gently shampoo as you would your normal hair, carefully massage the shampoo in from root to tip, creating a lather . You are going to want to work gently and carefully rinse it out of the extensions working from root to tip.

The next step is to add conditioner to the lengths and ends of the extensions. Please ensure you do not apply any conditioner to the roots as this can soften bonds or cause slippage of the extension rings or bonds. It’s best to use an intense mask conditioner which you would leave on for around 10 minutes. This will help the extension hair to stay soft and silky for longer.

Rinse the extensions thoroughly in clean water to remove any conditioner. wash the hair in a downward motion to reduce the risk of tangles and knots. You will want to blow dry your extensions with a towel and not wrap the towel on top of your head as this can pull and tangle the extensions. The easiest way to do this is to lay the extensions on a towel and gently blot dry. You can then dry with a hair-dryer as normal, or you can leave them to dry naturally. Always ensure the extensions are dry before going to bed as they can matt and tangle as you sleep if they are left wet or damp.

Styling Your Hair Extensions

Styling your extensions is easy, if you have purchased high quality natural human hair extensions. If you have synthetic extensions, you will not be able to use heat, such as a hair-dryer. Comb out your human hair extensions, removing any knots before you start your styling process. It’s always best to use a leave-in conditioner or Argan oil before drying.

Using hairspray after styling is advantageous as it helps to give the hold you need, it also eliminates the risk of flyaway hairs, providing a smooth finish. With human extensions, you can use your hair straightener or curling tongs with confidence.

A useful tip for clip in extensions is to clip your extensions on to a clothes hanger, making it easier to style the extensions whilst they are not on your head. Ensure you repeat the same styling process on your natural hair to ensure that the style continues when you clip in your extensions. Don’t forget to tease your hair slightly where you intend adding the extensions, giving the clips better hold.