How to Remove Your Extensions Without Removing Your Hair!!

Hair extensions are awesome. They’re the perfect way to change up your look and wear the hairstyles that you want. One day you can channel Rapunzel as you run an ad agency pitch, while the following month you can rock extensions that mimic your own natural hair but without all of the hard work.

Many people know that in order for you to get the most value out of your extensions, you need to make sure that your hair is in good condition prior to the install. Once you do that, you’ll be able to reap the benefits that come with having extensions. 

So you’ve been wearing your extensions, and it’s now time to take them out. In order to make wearing extensions worth it, you need to be mindful of how you take out your extensions when you’re ready to remove them so that your hair remains healthy and strong. Following are some key things to keep in mind when removing your hair extensions.

Make the Time

Set aside time to remove your extensions. The process isn’t something that you can just do at the last minute. If you’re in a hurry, you could end up damaging your hair if you try and remove the extensions too quickly. 

Extensions can sometimes be difficult to remove, especially if you have tangles or product buildup. By setting aside a good amount of time for removal, you’re allowing yourself the ability to remove the extensions safely and without rushing.

Apply Conditioner or Softening Agents

One way to protect your hair while removing your hair extensions is by slathering conditioners and softening agents onto both your hair and the extensions as you go through removal.

Kinky Curly Knot Today has amazing slip that allows your fingers to glide through the tightest knots. Oyin Hair Dew is another holy grail product that’s marketed as a “hair lotion” but conditions and detangles wonderfully.

Generously douse the extensions from root to tip so that they’re completely coated. This helps soften up the hair while preventing it from tangling or breaking. For best results, allow the conditioner to sit on the hair for at least 30 minutes before starting removal.

Use Special Products for Removing Bonded Extensions

If your hair extensions were attached to your hair using a bonding agent, you’re going to need to use a special bond remover to break down the bond. Bonded extensions are usually attached to the hair using some sort of keratin bond. By breaking down the keratin bond using specially formulated solutions, the extensions can be slipped out of your hair safely. 

Try and have the stylist who installed the extensions remove them for you since they can clearly see their own work. Some people use products like acetone if they don’t have the keratin bond remover on hand, but this can be very damaging if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Have Your Stylist Handle the Removal

When you’re ready to remove your hair extensions, you may discover that your stylist isn’t available. If you had a relatively simple install, you may be able to have a handy friend help out. 

Doing this will help ensure that your extensions will be removed properly and without damage. If no one is available and you have to take your hair out, look for a stylist who knows how to remove extensions and doesn’t mind providing the service for people who aren’t their regular clients.

Tie Up Each Section Once Removed

Make sure that you do one section of hair at a time. You need to make sure that each section is thoroughly removed, detangled, conditioned and pinned or rolled back up before moving on to the next section. This will help make sure that each section remains tangle free once it’s been unraveled. It may take you a while to remove all of the rows of extensions, and you want to make sure the hair that you’ve already taken out remains soft and protected. 

Follow the Pattern

Your stylist follows a pattern when installing wefted extensions. Find out exactly what that pattern is and how it was installed so that you can follow it as you remove the extensions. That pattern may make the extensions a lot easier to remove if you work backwards from the end point. 

Once you find the pattern, you’ll be able to take your scissors and cut along the weft seam, carefully detaching it from your hair. Don’t pull since doing so could cause you to rip the hair right out of your head.

Do a Post-Removal, Heavy Deep Conditioning

Once all of the extensions have been removed, take down all of the pinned up sections and finger tangle every part of your hair. Don’t run a comb through your hair until you’ve conditioned the entire thing. 

There are several ways to deep condition with heat. You can use a steamer without a plastic cap to allow moist heat and conditioning products to penetrate strands that are prone to dryness. If you have a dryer and prefer to use dry heat, you can put a cap on top of your conditioner-soaked strands. You can then sit under the dryer and allow the heat to penetrate,

If you don’t have a steamer or a dryer, you can simply coat your hair in conditioner and cover it with a plastic cap. Your own body heat will give you the deep conditioning you need. 

Take a Break In Between Installs

Try and give your hair a break in between installs. Yes, you’re most likely going to want to get your hair done with a new extension style as soon as possible, but you’d really be doing your hair a favor if you take a break between extensions so that your hair can rest.

If you’re reluctant to have your hair out in between installs, you can simply wear a wig. You’ll then be able to have the style that you want without having to do an install. You’ll also be able to take care of your hair under the wig.

Getting hair extensions is an excellent way to explore and enjoy new looks. The entire experience will be for naught if you damage your hair when you remove the extensions. The above tips can help keep your hair healthy and happy.