If this sounds familiar: you get your hair extensions installed, they blend perfectly, and everything looks smooth and full.
Then, a week or two later, the shine fades. The strands feel dry, start tangling, and turn into a time-consuming project that eats away at your patience and budget. It’s a common problem.
The good news is, dry hair extensions don’t have to stay that way. With the right care, you can revive them and keep them looking their best.
What Causes the Dryness
Hair extensions don’t have the same natural oils as your hair. Once they lose moisture, they can’t replace it on their own. Several things can speed up that process.
Weather Changes
A shift from a humid to a dry climate can make extensions lose softness fast. The air pulls moisture from the strands, leaving them rough and brittle.
Swimming Pool Or Beach Vacation
Chlorine from the pool and salt from the sea strip moisture and weaken the hair cuticle. Without quick rinsing and care, the strands get stiff and tangled.
Sun Exposure
Strong sunlight acts like a slow burn on hair fibers. It breaks down the surface layer, fades the color, and makes the hair feel coarse.
Most people notice their extensions get dry during vacations. It’s the mix of sun, swimming, and climate changes that does it—often all in the same week.
How To Save Dry Hair Extensions?
When extensions start feeling dry and tangled, it’s important to work step-by-step. Rushing or pulling can cause more damage. Here’s a method that works.
Step 1: Detangle Gently
Find the knot and separate a few strands at a time with your fingers. Work from the edges of the tangle instead of yanking at the center.
Once it loosens, switch to a wide-tooth comb. Start from the ends, comb downward, and move the comb higher only after each section is smooth.
Step 2: Clean The Right Way
Use lukewarm water around 36–38°C (close to body temperature). Let the water flow from the top down so it soaks the extensions without rough handling.
Choose a sulfate-free, alcohol-free shampoo. Rub it between your palms to make foam first. Then, press the foam onto your natural hair and glide it gently down the extensions—always in a top-to-bottom motion. No rubbing.
Rinse with the same gentle flow from top to bottom until the shampoo is fully gone.
Step 3: Condition Or Use A Hair Mask
Apply conditioner or a mask only when the hair is fully wet. Pick a product with minimal silicone to avoid heavy build-up.
Squeeze out excess water with a towel by pressing (never twisting or rubbing). Apply the product from mid-lengths to ends, avoiding the scalp. Use more on the ends if they’re dry.
Comb through from the ends to mid-lengths so the product spreads evenly.
Cover your hair with a shower cap to keep it warm and help absorption. Wait 15–20 minutes—no need to go longer, as too much can leave residue.
Rinse with lukewarm water, gently sliding your hands down the hair until it feels clean and no longer slippery. Residue can trap dust and cause new tangles.
Step 4: Lock In Moisture
Pat the hair with a towel until it’s damp but not dripping. Warm 3–4 drops of hair oil (like argan or jojoba) between your palms, then smooth it from mid-lengths to ends.
Use your fingertips to lightly press and scrunch the driest ends for extra softness.
Comb again with a wide-tooth comb. Let the hair air dry if possible. If you must use a dryer, set it to low heat (below 50°C) and use a diffuser (optional).
Step 5: Daily Care To Prevent Dryness
- Comb 1–2 times a day, starting from the ends and working up. This prevents tangles from building up overnight.
- In air-conditioned or dry environments, carry a small bottle of hair oil. When the ends feel dry, apply a drop to smooth them out.
- After swimming or heavy sweating, rinse with fresh water as soon as possible to remove salt, chlorine, or sweat.
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