How to Care for Hair Extensions | Keep Them Looking New

Hair extensions look great until they get dry, tangled, or start slipping — and that’s usually the result of small care mistakes. Whether you have tape-ins, sewn-in wefts, or clip-ins, the fundamentals stay the same: be gentle, keep products off the attachment points, and never sleep on wet hair. The payoff for a few good habits is extensions that blend naturally and last their full lifespan.

The Daily Detangling Routine

Brush extensions more often than you’d brush natural hair, but do it the right way or you’ll pull the attachments loose. One daily session is enough for most installation methods; skip it and tangles compound fast.

Start at the ends and work upward in small sections. Support the area where extensions attach — bonds, beads, or wefts — with your other hand while brushing so the tension stays in the hair, not the attachment. A wide-tooth comb or a brush designed for extensions works best; anything too stiff will snag at the seams and pull on bonds.

Tangles accumulate worst at night. Braid your hair loosely or tie it in a low ponytail before bed, and never go to sleep with wet extensions. Some guides also recommend wrapping hair in a silk or satin scarf to cut down on friction. If the hair gets matted near the root, a detangling spray helps, but work it in from the midpoint down — never at the attachment row.

Washing and Conditioning Without Loosening Attachments

Most permanently attached extensions need washing 2–3 times per week, but sewn-in methods can handle washing as often as natural hair, L’Oréal notes. Temporary clip-ins are different — Rapunzel of Sweden recommends washing those only when necessary.

When you wash, focus the shampoo on the scalp and roots, lathering in a downward motion. Don’t bunch the hair up on top of your head, and don’t scrub at the attachment area — that’s what loosens bonds and tape. Rinse through with lukewarm or cool water, which helps reduce frizz and friction and closes the cuticle as you finish.

Conditioner goes from mid-length to the ends only. Keep it away from bonds, tape, beads, and the row where wefts are sewn in. The same rule applies to leave-in conditioner, oils, and styling products — if it touches the attachment point, it breaks down the bond or tape adhesive over time. Support the hair while you apply conditioner, then rinse thoroughly so nothing lingers.

Drying, Heat, and Swimming: The Damage Zones

The three fastest ways to wreck extensions are rough towel-drying, excessive heat, and untreated pool or ocean water. Skip all three and your extensions will look better for months.

Pat or blot wet hair with a towel instead of rubbing it — aggressive rubbing tangles the wefts and stresses bonds. You can blow-dry on low or medium heat with a nozzle, but keep the dryer moving and avoid hovering over the attachment row. For heat styling, Rapunzel of Sweden advises staying below 180°C (about 356°F) and always using a heat protectant first. Direct heat on bonds or tape is a fast way to weaken them.

Swimming is hard on extensions because chlorine and salt both dry out the hair and break down attachments. Wet your hair before entering the water, apply leave-in conditioner from mid-length down, and rinse thoroughly right after. If you swim regularly, plan on a salon maintenance visit sooner than your usual interval.

Preserving Attachments at Home

Between salon visits, most of what keeps extensions secure is prevention: no heavy products near the root, no harsh brushing at the seams, and no sleeping on wet hair. Daily detangling, sulfate-free shampoo, and mid-length conditioning will usually get you to your next appointment without issues.

Tape-ins require a move-up appointment every 6–8 weeks as your natural hair grows. Hand-tied and weft methods are sturdier, but pulling at the row area is still the most common way to damage them. If you’re considering clip-ins instead, a roundup of top-rated clip in hair extensions for black hair can help you pick a set that suits your hair texture.

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