How to Revive Hair Extensions: Bring Them Back to Life!

If you've ever invested in hair extensions, you know how marvelous they look when they're fresh, soft, and full of life. But over time, they can become dry, tangled, and even brittle. But guess what? With a little pampering, you can totally bring them back to life. This is my tried and true daily method for revitalizing “dead” hair extensions.

Detangle Like You Mean It

First rule: Never attack knots with a regular brush. I learned this the hard way after yanking out half a weft in frustration. Begin by spraying leave-in conditioner or detangler. Separate large clumps with your fingers, then use a wide-toothed comb or wet brush, starting from the ends and working upwards. For stubborn knots, apply additional conditioner, let it sit for 5 minutes, and retry.

Soak ‘Em in a DIY Spa Treatment

Think of it as a hydration intervention. My favorite recipe: 1 cup warm water + 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar + 1 tbsp coconut oil. ACV dissolves product residue (bye-bye dry shampoo residue!), while the coconut oil adds moisture. Soak your hair extension for 15-20 minutes, then rinse it with cold water.

For synthetic hair extensions, use clarifying shampoo to soak them; avoid oil and hot water to prevent damage.

Deep Condition Your Extensions

After rinsing, apply a generous amount of moisturizing conditioner or extension-specific hair mask, avoiding the roots/tapes/clips to prevent slippage. Leave on for 20+ minutes. I’ll usually wrap mine in a warm towel to mimic a steam treatment.

Pro tip: Add a few drops of rosemary oil for enhanced shine and a salon-fresh scent.

Air Dry + Low Heat Styling

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To extend the life of your extensions, air-dry until 80% dry, then blow-dry on low heat with heat protectant. If heat styling, keep human hair below 300°F (150°C) and avoid heat entirely for synthetic hair. My secret weapon? A silk pillowcase while air-drying. It minimizes frizz and keeps cuticles smooth.

Store Properly

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Improper storage = instant death for extensions. After the wig is completely dry, I would comb it again and make the extensions into a loose braid or bun. Store in a silk bag or hang on a velvet hanger. Do not tangle them in a drawer - that creates a mess.

Know When to Let Go

Even the best wigs have a shelf life. If they're shedding too much, have visible glue residue, feel like straw after all your care, or can't hold their style no matter what you do, it's time to phase them out. Usually, I repurpose old extensions as practice hair for braiding or donate them if they’re still semi-decent.

Final Thoughts

Reviving hair extensions isn’t rocket science—it’s about consistency and gentle care. Treat them like your natural hair (or better!), and they’ll keep serving looks for months. Trust me, your wallet and your Insta feed will thank you.

Read More

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