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on today's blog:
reading time: 8 minutes.
Washing and drying our hair can be a chore at the best of times; add hair extensions to the mix, and it becomes a military operation. When dry shampoo has done all it can do, and the only option left is washing, the following time-saving tips will help to make this process a lot less daunting. Whether you have Clip-Ins, Tapes, Nanos, Micro-Rings, or a Hair weft, you should know how to wash them correctly which in turn will reward you with happy, healthy hair that will last its full life span, and maybe even longer! In today's blog, we have explained the best products, methods, and tools to perfectly clean and dry your hair extensions, and all the things to avoid too.
Clip-In human hair extensions include Multi-Piece Sets, One Piece Extensions, Ponytails and Fringe Clip-Ins. These types of temporary hair extensions should not be washed more than every 12-15 uses unless they have a lot of product build-up or have become very tangled. Over-washing your extensions could lead to dryness, dullness, and weakened seams which could mean you may need to replace them sooner. Never wash your Clip Ins whilst they are attached to your head, they should be fully removed beforehand.
Every time you wash your extensions give them a good brush through first with an extensions-friendly hairbrush. This will prevent the hair from knotting whilst its being washed, and make it much easier to style and comb afterward. We recommend using the Cliphair Detangling Brush as the teeth glide smoothly over the seams of Clip-Ins without tugging at the threads or clips.
We advise against washing multi-piece sets all in one go, as the water and product may not penetrate through the thickness of the hair. Separate the hair into sections of 2-3 pieces before wetting down, this will ensure the water evenly coats the entire piece.
We recommend using only Sulfate & Alcohol-free shampoos on hair extensions for the best results. Sulfate & Alcohol are great at cleansing the hair but they also remove natural oils and nutrients which can leave the hair feeling dry and brittle. After the hair is thoroughly wet, gently smooth the shampoo over the pieces using your fingers to softly lather the hair, taking care not to vigorously rub as this can create knots.
Rinse the shampoo off with warm water directed downwards towards the ends of the hair. Again, use smoothing actions to encourage the rinse instead of harsh rubbing movements that will tangle the hair.
When all the residue from the shampoo has been removed, lay the hair extensions on a clean, dry towel. Use the towel to lightly pat and squeeze the extensions removing any excess water that can dilute the strength of the conditioner. Apply your choice of a deep conditioning hair mask (we recommend Moroccan oil hydration mask) to the mid-lengths and ends and leave to absorb for 15-30 minutes.
Once again, rinse the conditioner out using lukewarm water directed downwards towards the ends of the hair. It’s especially important at this stage to rinse each piece separately; we advise doing this for at least 2 minutes to ensure the mask is fully removed, or it could leave the hair feeling greasy and heavy. Once the hair is clean, you can apply a final rinse of cold water to the hair which will close the cuticles and lock in the shine!
The best way to dry clip-in extensions is to allow them to air dry - if you have the time. Squeeze the excess water out and either lay them on a clean, dry towel overnight or use a hair extension hanger. Brushing wet hair or hair extensions is a controversial subject as many professionals will advise not to, however, if the hair does feel tangled when wet, we would advise making an exception and gently brushing it through with your detangling brush in order to remove the knots before the hair dries. You can use a spritz of our Silky Moisture Spray which will act as a detangling product to aid in the brushing.
Just like with Clip-Ins you should avoid over washing your Tape In Hair Extensions, 1-2 times per week is plenty to keep them hydrated and strong. Of course, if you feel the hair is becoming hard to manage or has product build-up, then you can make an exception and wash them sooner. However, your Tapes will last much longer the less you wash them. To keep your hair looking fresh in between washes, you can use dry shampoo to combat greasiness at the roots. To know more, check out our blog: “How to get rid of greasy hair last minute with 5 hair hacks”.
As Tape-In hair extensions are made of real human hair, and they are attached to your head, you can treat them almost like your own hair when it comes to washing - but there are a couple of changes that should be made.
You can follow the same instructions for Nano Ring Hair Extensions as for Tape-Ins above, and these rules also apply to micro-rings and weaves. Don’t be afraid to wash around the bonds of your extensions with shampoo. It's vital to clean and rinse the roots properly to avoid any residue build-up, which could cause irritation or loose extensions.
If you have a full head of hair extensions applied, you may find it tricky to thoroughly rinse or clean your hair, especially if you are only washing once per week. Sulphate-free shampoos can sometimes take a while to produce a lather.
With both hair extensions and your own natural hair, it's always best to start with warm water, as this helps to open the hair cuticles, allowing the products to penetrate deeper into the hair. Once the shampoo and conditioning element of the wash is complete you can use cool water in the final rinse to close the cuticles, locking in moisture and shine.
As most hair extensions are coated with a special smoothing solution during manufacturing to prolong their shine and silkiness, after the first wash the hair does tend to feel thicker as this solution has been partially removed helping the hair to expand. Interestingly, its not uncommon for people to wash and dry their hair extensions before applying to remove this outer layer as they believe the hair is easier to manage and style.
Technically,all hair and hair extensions are more fragile when wet so its often advised to avoid brushing them until they are dry. However, if after you have washed the hair it feels extremely knotty or matted, we would recommend gently brushing the hair to remove the tangles. If the hair dries with matting it can make it even worse and harder to remove which can cause further damage or even discomfort if they are permanent extensions. Always use an extensions friendly detangling brush and hold the hair above the knots to reduce the tension on the extensions.
Yes! You don’t need to wash your hair each time you have a shower so you can shower as much as you like, simply clip your hair up securely and cover with a shower cap to protect it from steam and water. We recommend washing the hair 1-2 times per week unless it really needs doing in between, then 3 times maximum.
No, this will not clean the hair it as you have not used any shampoo or product to remove impurities. You should wash clip-ins with hair extensions friendly shampoo and conditioner every 12-15 uses for the best results.
Thank you for reading our blog! We hope you enjoyed this article – if you liked what you’ve read, share this with your friends and follow us on our Social Media channels to keep up with the latest trends, tips, guides, and more!
For our full range of Hair Extensions including Clip-Ins, Ponytails, Permanent and Many more with over 60 shades to choose from head to our main page. Including our best selling Seamless, Tape In Hair Extensions, and One Piece Hair Extensions.
Need a hand? We hear you, choosing extensions can be intimidating. Our squad of dedicated hair experts are here to help with everything from free colour matching to a full consultation. No query is too big or too small, pop a message over to our WhatsApp team today. Chat via messenger or request a call back, we’re ready when you are!
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