Can You Wash Your Hair With Extensions?

Can You Wash Your Hair With Extensions?

Craving extra volume and added length for your strands? Hair extensions are the quickest way to transform your tresses into the hair you’ve always wanted. There are various methods to choose from, such as tape in, weft, and clip in hair extensions. No matter which hair extensions you choose, you’ll need to keep up with your hair care routine, paying special attention to your new extensions.  

The question is, can you wash your hair with extensions? Yes, you can! But it’s important to learn how to wash hair with extensions the right way to avoid damaging your extensions. Our hair extension experts at Big Kizzy will walk you through the process depending on which type of extensions you have. Clean strands, coming right up!  

How To Wash Hair With Extensions 

Model Showcasing Hair Extensions

No need to ask yourself, “Can I wash my hair with extensions?” Now that you know you can, let’s go over how to wash hair with extensions the proper way. Being careful not to damage your extensions means making a few tweaks to your regular hair-washing routine. We’ll give you tips for washing tape in, weft, and clip in extension types, as each one has a different application method involved.  

Tape In Hair Extensions 

Model Showcasing Extension Application

If you’re wondering, can you wash your hair with tape in extensions? Yes, but because they’re attached with tape and they aren’t exactly the same as your natural hair.   

Follow these tips to keep them intact and looking their best:  

  • Tape in hair extensions will last 6 to 8 weeks before you need to remove and reapply them. Since they’ll be in your hair this entire time, try only to wash them 2 to 3 times a week. Overwashing your extensions can cause them to dry out. 
  • Always wash your hair with lukewarm water, as hot water can cause your extensions to become brittle and cause breakage.  
  • When washing, don’t scrub the attachment points directly, instead press on your roots and move gently from left to right. 
  • Condition your hair from mid-shaft down, avoiding the roots (getting conditioner on your tape in attachment points can loosen the adhesive!). 
  • Rinse thoroughly to ensure all product is out of your hair after washing and conditioning.   

Weft Hair Extensions 

Not sure how to wash weft extensions? Whether you have sew in or beaded weft, these extensions don’t use any glue for attachment, they use either thread, beads, or a combination of both. The process for washing them will be similar but slightly different to tape in extensions.   

Keep these tips in mind when you’re ready to wash your tresses:  

  • Weft extensions have a wear time of 6 to 8 weeks, so follow the same advice as tape in extensions and only wash them 2 to 3 times per week.  
  • Brush your hair to get rid of any tangles or knots before you wash your hair. 
  • To avoid damaging your strands, use lukewarm water for washing and rinsing instead of hot water. 
  • Be careful not to scrub the sew-in thread or beads directly, instead, raise your hair at each row and gently rinse each attachment area. 
  • Condition your hair from the mid-shaft down, let it sit, and rinse thoroughly after.  

Clip In Hair Extensions 

For those of you with this temporary option, you might wonder, can you wash your hair with clip in extensions? You should wash your clip in extensions, but not when they’re still in your hair. You’ll need to remove them before washing.  

Let’s go over tips for washing to give you the best results:  

  • How often you wash your clip in extensions depends on how frequently you wear them. A general rule is to wash them after every 10-15 wears.  
  • Remove your clip in extensions from your natural hair before you brush or wash them.  
  • Brush the extensions, ensuring no tangles or knots remain in the hair.  
  • Fill up your sink with lukewarm water, add a small handful of shampoo into the water, and swirl it around.  
  • Wash one weft at a time in the sink and don’t rub them too vigorously so you don’t accidentally damage them.  
  • Add conditioner to each weft, let it soak in, and rinse all the remaining product out.   

Now that you know the answer to “Can you wash your hair with extensions?” you need the right hair care products that are safe for extensions! It’s crucial to wash hair with extensions with products that are formulated for extensions. Shop the Big Kizzy website for haircare products like shampoo, conditioner, and styling products that are all extension-safe. We also carry products for applying and removing extensions with tools and accessories. Find everything you need in one place!