How to Wash Hair Extensions Properly Without Damage?

Key Takeaways

• Learn about five necessary steps on how to wash hair extensions-from preparing shampoo to conditioning and drying-to ensure cleanliness, good conditions, and shine!
• Explore Livicor Hair's 100% virgin Remy human hair extensions to enjoy excellent durability, a fabulous look, and easy styling and washing like natural hair!

Step 1: Gather the Right Supplies

Following this guide on how to wash extensions will require supplies for cleaning, conditioning, and drying.

Essential Items

Before attempting to wet your hair extensions, ensure you have a sulfate-free shampoo, a conditioner specifically for hair extensions, and a wide-tooth comb.

Why sulfate-free shampoo? According to hair extension experts, although sulfate-free products don’t lather as well, they help maintain the natural oils in your hair extensions, preventing dryness and frizz, which enhances the life of your extensions.

Hair extension conditioners are designed to keep extensions safe and healthy. Repeat this method every five to eight weeks to seal the cuticle, lock moisture in, and add shine to the extension.

Wide-tooth combs are ideal for hair extensions, as the spacing between the teeth is wide enough to reduce friction and drag-minimizing hair loss. You can comb out wet hair with a wide-tooth comb without fear of it breaking.

Optional Items

You will also need other essential items, such as a leave-in conditioner, a microfiber towel, and hair clips, to maintain hair extensions after each wash.

Leave-in conditioner will help keep your natural and Remy hair extensions soft, easy to comb, moisturized, and healthy. Unlike conventional formulas, leave-in conditioner should be left on the hair for a bit longer, usually 10-15 minutes.

You will need microfiber towels to absorb water immediately after shampooing. Their high absorption rate eliminates rubbing on your hair, which, in essence, means less friction with reduced tangles and breakage.

Hair clips help section the hair while shampooing. According to the experts, shampooing in sections minimizes tangles and allows the shampoo to reach the scalp more, leaving both your scalp and hair cleaner.

Safety Precautions

Avoid using hair products that contain sulfates, alcohol, oils, hydrolyzed silk, extracts, wheat protein, or silicone. These ingredients strip your extensions of color, cause them to break, and cause them to fall out. You can quickly check the back of the bottle for any of these ingredients!

Step 2: Prepare Your Extensions

Detangle

Detangle your hair extension with a wide-tooth comb before you wash it. Brushing your hair prior to washing will smoothen it out and reduce the chances of knots or tangles afterward. Gently brush from the end upward without yanking or tugging hard, as these actions may cause breakage to your hair.

Section Your Hair

Depending on the thickness and length of your extensions, use alligator clips to divide your hair into two or four sections. This approach allows you to easily massage each section, ensuring that both your hair and scalp are thoroughly cleaned without putting undue stress on the extensions.

Step 3: Wash the Extensions

Rinse with Lukewarm Water

Always wash your hair and extensions with lukewarm water. Hot water can make your hair brittle, dry, and eventually break.

Apply Shampoo

Squeeze out excess water before applying shampoo for better product absorption and effective hair cleansing.

Next, take a small amount of the sulfate-free shampoo—usually 2 or 3 pumps- and place it in the palm of your hand. Gently massage it into the extensions, focusing on the roots to remove excess oil and styling products that have built up.

Also, do not scrub your hair harshly while washing it because this can cause tangling and flaking.

Rinse Thoroughly

Wash your hair extension with lukewarm water to avoid a buildup of shampoo, which may further encourage itchiness in the scalp or even dandruff. Use smooth motions to rinse down toward the ends of the hair, avoiding harsh rubbing that can cause tangling.

Step 4: Condition the Extensions

Apply Conditioner

After having rinsed your hair from all the shampoo residue, try to wring out the hair and extensions well to remove extra water that may dilute the strength of the conditioner.

Slather a generous amount on your hair extension, focusing more on the mid-lengths through to the ends. Avoid applying an add-on hair mask or conditioner around the root areas, as that makes your extensions feel heavy with grease and quickly fall out.

Leave the conditioner on for a few minutes, or as instructed on the packaging, to give the product adequate time to penetrate each strand for maximum moisture.

Rinse Thoroughly

Rinse the conditioner down toward the ends of your hair. We recommend rinsing for at least 2 minutes to remove any residue; otherwise, residue might build up and leave your hair lifeless and weighed down. Once your hair is clean, give it a final rinse using cool water to seal the cuticles and add shine.

Step 5: Dry the Extensions

The final step in our "How to wash hair with extensions" guide is to dry the hair.

Gently Towel Dry

Using a microfiber towel, gently pat the hair extensions to remove excess water quickly without causing friction or frizzing the cuticle. Remember not to wring or rub your hair, as it can cause damage and tangling. If you use clip-in extensions, lay them flat before patting them dry to prevent pulling the hair out of the clips. 

Air Dry or Blow Dry

One of the great things about our 100% virgin Remy human hair extensions is that you can let them dry naturally to avoid heat damage while preserving their original style. Avoid using appliances that use heat, whether a blow dryer, curling iron, or straightener, as the excessive heat will weaken the hair fibers and make them dry and brittle.

If you're short on time and can't wait for your hair extensions to air-dry, use a low heat setting on your hair dryer or diffuser to speed up the process.

The safest way to blow-dry your hair is to let it air-dry about 70% before using a dryer. Ensure to apply a heat protection spray before blow-drying. Avoid brushing your hair until it’s almost dry, and start by drying the roots before moving to the ends.

So, how to wash clip in hair extensions? Unclip them from your head as carefully as possible and then proceed with the exact steps of washing shared above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should you let hair extensions dry naturally?

Yes, air drying protects the extensions from heat that can make them brittle and more prone to breaking. But you can air-dry only during the day. You mustn't sleep with wet hair extensions.

How often should you wash your hair with extensions?

You should wash your hair with extensions once or twice a week. Too much washing shortens the life of your extensions. The exact frequency depends on the kind of extensions and natural oils in your hair. For instance, washing clip-in extensions every 10-15 uses would be advisable, but you should clean tape-in extensions once or twice a week. 

Can I use regular shampoo on my hair extensions?

No, most regular shampoos contain sulfates, which can dry out and damage hair extensions, making them brittle and prone to breakage. It is best to use a gentle sulfate-free shampoo specifically designed for hair extensions.