Do Hair Extensions Damage Your Hair? What You Really Need to Know
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Time to read 10 min
IN THIS GUIDE
Do Hair Extensions Damage Your Natural Hair? Do Clip-In Extensions Damage Your Hair? Do Tape-In Extensions Damage Your Hair? Do Micro-Ring Hair Extensions Damage Your Hair? Do Sewn-In Extensions Damage Your Hair? Signs of Hair Damage from Extensions How to Prevent Damage When Wearing Clip-In Extensions How to Prevent Damage When Wearing Semi-Permanent Extensions The Final Verdict: Of Course They Don't! FAQs RiRi Recommends:
Girls, have we taught you nothing? If you're still asking, ' Do hair extensions damage your hair?' This guide is definitely for you. We'll give you the details about each hair extension method, and give you the real tea about the damage that can be done.
Spoiler alert—it's actually all down to you, yes, you (well, and your hairdresser), whether your hair extensions will do any damage to your natural locks. But why is it down to you?
Most of the time, extensions will only damage your hair if you’re a) not taking care of them or b) they haven’t been properly installed. Other than that, they should be dandy.
But if you’re thinking about getting extensions and want to put your mind at ease, we’ve answered some of the most common questions we get asked about whether extensions damage your hair, and how to prevent it.
If you're looking for hair extension care products or non-damaging hair extensions, look no further. We have a selection of the best of the best below. Shop today and get 10%* off your order!
Do Hair Extensions Damage Your Natural Hair?
In short: They can. But that doesn't mean you should totally stay away from extensions.
Different extension methods, of course, have different effects on your hair , so right off the bat, that's a decision you'll need to make. Don't worry; we'll go into more detail below.
The way you care for your extensions (or don't care for them) will also have a huge impact on how they affect your natural hair.
So, while what we said at the beginning rings true, it also technically doesn't because whether they do damage or not is in your own hands. You can choose to have perfectly healthy extensions.
Do Clip-In Extensions Damage Your Hair?
Ah, clip-in extensions. The OG of all hair extensions and our speciality here at RiRi. We literally can't get enough of them, and we're not out here ruining our natural hair by using them.
So, the question is, do they cause damage?
Honestly, the answer is no, not really.
Clip-in hair extensions are considered the least damaging hair extension method out of them all.
They don't need fancy glue or tape to install them, much less heat treatment. They can literally be clipped in and out of your hair—aka, they're temporary.
Of course, temporary hair extensions are best for your hair because you can take them in and out as you please, especially when you're sleeping or washing your hair.
The only time clip-in hair extensions are damaging is when you drop the ball on correct installation, maintenance, and removal. But we'll talk more about that later.
For now, if you want to get your hands on some of the least damaging hair extensions for your natural hair, check out our beautiful selection below.
Do Tape-In Extensions Damage Your Hair?
Tape-in extensions are installed by sandwiching sections of hair between two adhesive strips, and these bad boys are considered the least damaging semi-permanent method of hair extensions.
When professionally applied and properly maintained, tape extensions are lightweight and gentle on hair . They achieve an even weight distribution without the use of heat or harsh chemicals.
Sounds perfect to us.
Of course, if your hairdresser isn't experienced in tape-in extensions or doesn't give you any advice, things can go wrong. We'll tell you exactly how to care for these extensions below.
If you think you'd like to try semi-permanent extensions (we get it; you know what you like), check out our options below. P.S. We even have a salon fitting service with our professional hair stylists!
Do Micro-Ring Hair Extensions Damage Your Hair?
Next on our list is micro-ring hair extensions (or micro-bead), which involves looping small sections of your hair through tiny rings and clamping them down to your natural hair.
This can cause a bit of tension on the scalp , but compared to other methods, this isn't very risky.
As always, if you have them properly installed and keep up with the maintenance, you can't really go wrong.
Do Sewn-In Extensions Damage Your Hair?
Sewn-in extensions also don't use any harsh chemicals or heat to install them , but they do get sewn to your natural hair (quite tightly, may we add), which can cause tension and potential scalp damage.
Like with all hair extensions, if you've had them professionally installed and care for them well, they shouldn't cause you a problem. But if you feel like something's not right, you should go back to your salon.
Signs of Hair Damage from Extensions
Once your beautiful hair extensions are in place, the work doesn't stop there, and you can't just ignore your natural locks. As much as you might like to.
Just because you've finally achieved your hair goals doesn't mean it'll be 10/10 forever. You need to monitor it.
Here are the key signs to be aware that your hair extensions might be doing more harm than good:
Increased hair shedding or thinning: Your hair might feel less dense than usual, and you might see a lot more hair on your hair brush.
Tenderness, soreness, or scalp pain: Redness, irritation, or sore patches, especially near the bonds, might indicate your extensions haven't been installed properly.
Weak or brittle hair strands: Your hair might easily snap during brushes, and you might find more split ends in your natural hair.
Bald patches or spots: This might be happening near the roots, crown, or temples of your head, and would suggest there's too much pulling and tension going on.
Hair extension headaches: These shouldn't be as normalised as they are, and this means either you have a low-quality extension installed or your hair is too tight at the bonds.
Difficulty detangling: Your hair might feel super matted, usually at the roots or close to the bonds.
How to Prevent Damage When Wearing Clip-In Extensions
Preventing damage with clip-in hair extensions is easy as long as you know the right info. Because they're a temporary form of extension, they're kind of easy to look after.
Ladies, remember to take notes. We'd hate to see your natural hair in bad condition because of a set of clip-ins. Our literal worst nightmare.
| Action You Should Take | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Choose high-quality clip-in extensions | Opt for either high-quality synthetic extensions or Remy human hair extensions, which will blend naturally and cause less friction between your natural hair. |
| Avoid overuse | While it is okay to wear clip-in hair extensions daily, you should listen to your hair and give it a break if you think it needs it. This will reduce stress on your hair and scalp. |
| Remove when... | Always remove your clip-ins while you're sleeping, showing, or exercising. This is just an invitation to tangles and matting galore, and we definitely don't want that. |
| Section your hair properly | Before applying the extensions, use a comb or brush to create even sections in your hair, which will help distribute weight and avoid knots. You should also avoid clipping extensions too close to the roots or scalp, as this can cause tension and discomfort. |
| Be gentle when removing extensions | Unclip your extensions from the bottom up to prevent pulling and breakage, and hold the base of your natural hair while unclipping to minimise tugging. |
| Avoid clipping onto fragile or thinning areas | This might refer to the area of your hair near your temples or crown. Rotate placement to avoid repeated tension on the same sections of hair. |
| Detangle carefully | Use a high-quality brush like our Deluxe Extension Brush to detangle your hair. Hold your hair and begin brushing from the ends up to avoid excessive pulling. |
| Keep your scalp healthy | Obviously, you can't wash your hair with the clip-ins installed, but once you take them out, you should treat yourself to a nice hot hair wash using a sulphate, alcohol, silicone-free shampoo and conditioner. |
How to Prevent Damage When Wearing Semi-Permanent Extensions
If you're new to the world of semi-permanent hair extensions (we're talking tape-ins, sewn-ins, etc) or you've recently had your extensions fitted and need some extra advice, below is information on how to prevent damage to your natural hair while wearing these types of extensions.
Trust us; you'll want to make some notes.
| Action You Should Take | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Choose high-quality hair | Opt for 100% Remy human hair. You can't get better hair than this, and it'll work wonders to prevent tangling and friction against your natural hair. |
| Get professional hair extension application & removal | We're sure you'd do this anyway, but here's your reminder, just in case. A professional stylist will apply extensions with even spacing and avoid placing them too close to the scalp. They're also qualified—they know exactly what they're doing. Wrong removal is a major cause of hair damage. Never pull, peel, or rip out your extensions—always contact a professional. |
| Be gentle when brushing or styling | Use a high-quality hair extension brush like ours to avoid pulling on the bonds. You should always brush from your ends to prevent added stress on them, too. |
| Wash your hair with care | Use sulphate, alcohol, and silicone-free shampoo and conditioner recommended for hair extensions. We recommend our very own shampoo and conditioner duo for the job. You should wash your hair around 2–5 times per week, depending on your lifestyle and hair type. Oh, and one last thing—don't aggressively scrub. Almost give yourself a shampoo scalp massage. |
| Keep conditioner and oils away from the bonds (especially tapes) | Using heavy oils close to your bonds can weaken them, causing them to slip, and take your natural hair with them. |
| Sleep with a protective hairstyle | Tie your hair in loose braids or in a low, loose ponytail, and put your hair in a silk or satin bonnet. This will reduce friction, breakage, and knots, which can lead to hair loss. |
| Schedule regular maintenance appointments | Go to your salon once every 6–8 weeks (or as they advise) for check-ups and re-fits. This will give you peace of mind that your natural hair is in tip-top condition. |
The Final Verdict: Of Course They Don't!
That heading should actually say, 'The final verdict: of course they don't, as long as you don't let them'. But that was kind of a mouthful.
Ladies, whoever told you wearing hair extensions would ruin your natural hair either didn't know themselves or just didn't want you to have the longest, most gorgeous princess locks.
As we've explained, hair extensions themselves don't cause the damage . It's the dodgy installations and poor maintenance that do. So, as long as you're mindful of your hairdresser and take care of your extensions, you'll be absolutely fine.
And we’ll die on this hill.
If you want to shop some of our hair extension maintenance products or least damaging hair extensions, we've left some of our bestsellers below. If you want more, browse our website!
*Get 10% off your first order when you subscribe to our newsletter.
FAQs
Is it Bad to Wear Extensions Every Day?
Obviously, if you have a semi-permanent type of hair extension , you will be wearing them every day, 24/7, so yes, of course, it's okay to wear these daily.
It's also possible to wear clip-in hair extensions daily, as long as you install and remove them correctly and care for them.
Be sure to listen to your hair, though . If you feel like you need a break from everyday wear, you should do it.
Are Extensions Bad for Thin Hair?
There is a common misconception that extensions are bad for thin hair, but that's really not the case. In fact, hair extensions are made to add volume and thickness, so, of course, girlies with thin locks can use them!
As long as you follow the correct maintenance tips, your thin hair will thrive.
What is the Least Damaging Hair Extension Method?
Clip-in hair extensions are the least damaging method of extensions because they aren't in your hair 24/7. You can clip them in and out as you please.
Plus, they have minimal pull on the scalp , and if you do feel a slight pull, you can remove them and try them at a different angle or give your hair a break for the day.
You can read more about this topic in our blog post here: What are the Least Damaging Hair Extensions? (Spoiler: It’s Clip-Ins)
Do Hair Extensions Stop Your Hair from Growing?
Of course not! Hair extensions, provided they are installed correctly, will not stop your hair from growing. This is misinformation at its finest.
This idea comes from the potential for hair extensions to cause damage, breakage, and loss. But again, if you have them installed correctly and carry out regular maintenance, your natural hair will be just fine.
Nancy Pinder
Nancy is our resident hair and beauty specialist at RiRi Hair Extensions. She advises customers daily in our Lakeside and Bluewater stores, helping them find the perfect look, length, and shade of hair extensions.
Nancy also presents our TikTok live to thousands of viewers across the world. You can catch her on our TikTok every week!
