How to Wash Your Hair with Extensions

Washing hair extensions for the first time may seem a little daunting, so we’re here to break down exactly how to wash hair with extensions, to help you care for your new extensions and your natural hair. Following our aftercare advice is so important to maintaining healthy extensions, and the good news is - it’s not difficult at all! We’ll go over all the washing do’s & don'ts, plus give you a step-by-step guide on how to wash extensions, so you’ll be an expert in no time!

Can you wash your hair with extensions in?

Yes, you can wash hair extensions! Washing your hair and extensions is essential to maintaining healthy hair, as it will keep the extensions free from product build up and nourish the hair. 

How often should you wash your hair with extensions?

This depends on the type of hair extensions that you go for. Clip-in Extensions won’t need washing as regularly as your own hair, we usually recommend washing them every 10-15 wears to keep them looking fresh and remove any build up of product. Professional Extensions can be washed as often as you wash your natural hair - but extensions users usually find that they can go a little longer between washes! We advise washing your professional extensions 1-2 times a week. 

How to Wash Hair With Extensions

These are the exact steps you should follow when washing your hair with extensions in order to maintain healthy hair.

STEP 1 - Brush Your Hair

Start by brushing your hair to detangle it before washing. We recommend brushing your hair from the bottom and then moving slowly to the top. Always hold your hair extensions at the top firmly, before brushing to ensure you are not pulling too much on them.

STEP 2 - Shampoo Your Hair

After your hair is brushed through, you can jump in the shower, wet your hair and lather with shampoo. Which shampoo you should use will depend on the type of extensions that you have. 

Beauty Works Pearl Nourishing Sulfate Free Shampoo should be used with the professional ranges, Stick Tip Extensions, Nanobond® Extensions, Tape Extensions and Flat Tip Extensions as sulfates will break down the bond and could affect the integrity of the Micro Ring or Keratin securing the hair extensions in place. Weft Extensions and Clip-in Extensions require the Beauty Works Pearl Nourishing Shampoo (contains sulfates) in order to eliminate any excess product build up that occurs with these products.

It’s important to be a little more gentle around the roots when washing your hair with extensions, to avoid pulling or catching on your extensions. 

STEP 3 - Condition Your Hair

Once you have rinsed the shampoo out, smoothe a generous amount of conditioner from the mid-length to ends of your hair. We suggest using our Beauty Works Pearl Nourishing Argan Oil Conditioner which has been specially formulated to nourish, repair and de-tangle hair extensions. For best results, leave the conditioner on for a few minutes before rinsing it out with warm water.

STEP 4 - Gently comb your hair

When your clip-ins are completely rinsed and the water is running clear, gently comb through to remove any tangles.

STEP 5  - Blowdry your hair

Gently blot and squeeze any excess water out of your hair with a towel (if you have a microfibre towel this is even better for your hair!). Use a heat protectant and then you can begin to blowdry. We suggest using a round blow dry brush to fully dry each section in a downward motion. 

Choosing the right hair dryer for your extensions is really important in avoiding frizz or heat damage, as some dryers will frazzle your hair with repeated use, which no one wants! Choose a dryer like the Beauty Works AERIS® that features advanced ionic technology - this produces negatively charged ions which counteract frizz-inducing atoms and repel water to combat frizz for a silky, smooth finish.

STEP 6 - Finish your hair with Argan Serum

After blow drying your hair, tame flyaways and lock in shine with our Argan Serum. Just rub a few drops of serum into your hands and then smoothe through your hair. 

And that’s how simple it is to wash your hair with extensions! For an extra deep treatment, you can use a hair mask, like our Restore Mask once a week. And remember to always use a Heat Protection Spray before heat styling. 

Can you let hair extensions dry naturally?

No, you should avoid leaving your extensions to dry naturally and always blow dry your hair extensions after washing for the best results. Don’t worry though, with an advanced hairdryer this won’t take too long.

Do hair extensions thicken after washing?

Hair extensions will appear fuller and thicker after the first wash as hair extensions initially have a protective coating for storage that will wash away.

We hope that helps you understand how to wash hair with extensions. Maintaining your extensions is super easy with the correct aftercare! Shop our hair extensions now to start your hair journey and follow us on Instagram for all the hair'spo.