Tips On How To Remove Hair Extensions

Many of us wear hair extensions to add length, volume, or both to our hair. And while they are a great way to achieve these results, they can also be damaging to your natural hair if not removed properly.

After you have removed your hair extensions, you should think about where you got them from, how long you have had them in, and the health of your natural hair.

You should also keep them in good condition so that you can remove them easily the next time you want to by storing them in a cool, dry place.

We talk you through how to safely remove hair extensions and tape hair extensions at home.

How To Remove Tape-In Hair Extensions At Home

Tape-in extensions are a common choice when it comes to semi-permanent hair extensions. When the hair is down, they blend into the hair quite naturally, although they are less subtle when the hair is up because they are easier to spot. 

Tape-in hair extensions can be installed at home, although to really make the most of them, you should have them put in by a professional. Tape-in extensions are also the easiest to remove at home; let's get into it. 

Step One

First things first, you need to purchase a form of glue dissolver. These are always oil-based. Go through your hair row by row and saturate the tape.

Step Two

After you have saturated all of the tapes, you should wait for a couple of minutes to let the dissolver penetrate the tape-ins and get to work. Then it is simply a case of slowly and gently pulling apart the tapes one at a time. 

Step Three

Once you have removed all of the tape-in extensions, you need to go back through your hair to look for any lingering residue. If you find it, you again should saturate it with the glue dissolver. 

Step Four

Section your hair into small sections. Go through each section with a wide-tooth comb and gently comb the residue out of your hair. This may take a while, but you need to be gentle.

Step Five

Finally, after all of the tape-ins and residue are out of your hair, you need to wash it with a clarifying shampoo; depending on how your hair feels, you might also want to opt for a conditioning treatment too. 

Tape-in extensions are incredibly easy to remove at home. You simply need to be thorough, careful and take a measured approach. Remember, the glue dissolver is vital; without, you are far more likely to pull out your hair and have a harder time getting the tape-ins out. 

How To Safely Remove Bonded Hair Extensions

Bonded extensions can take a few forms depending on where you have had them done. However, they have to be done by a professional; you cannot do them yourself. The bonds are either made of plastic or keratin, and they tend to last anywhere from 3 to six months. 

Step One

Whatever form of bonds you have, you will likely need pliers to help you get them out. If you have keratin bonds, you will also need a dissolving solution. Make sure you have everything you need, and you know what type of bonded extensions you have. 

Step Two

For keratin bonded extensions, you will need to apply the solution to the bonds, wait a couple of minutes and then use the pliers to crush each bond. Plastic bonds are slightly different; you should use the pliers to gently open the bond to remove it. For both types, you should go row by row, holding the root of your hair while dealing with the bond. 

Step Three

After all of the bonds are out, you need to gently brush through your hair with a comb. Your hair will likely have a build-up of loose strands that have been shed during your extensions but had nowhere to go. You should also be gently trying to tease out any excess residue or debris from your bonds. 

Step Four

Next, you should use a deep conditioning treatment on your hair. Leave it on for as long as possible. 

Step Five

After you have washed out your deep conditioning treatment, you should shampoo twice just to make sure any lingering residue or bits of plastic has been cleaned out of the hair. 

Bonded hair extensions can be more damaging than other forms or semi-permanent extensions. This is why you should have them installed professionally and remove them with care if you choose to do that yourself, although you could also have a professional remove them for you. 

How To Remove Sewn-In Weft Extensions

Sewn-in extensions are another form of semi-permanent hair extensions. Again, they have to be installed by a professional; otherwise, they can cause a lot of damage to your natural hair.

Most people choose to have them removed by a professional, too, but it is possible to remove them yourself with the right methodology, equipment and often a spare set of hands too. 

Step One

Sew-ins should be removed one at a time, weft by weft. Start at the bottom of the head nearest the nape. Make sure that the rest of your hair is clipped up and out of the way. 

Step Two

You then need to use scissors to cut through the thread that secures your sew-ins. You can then use a rat tail comb to gently tease out the thread, and the weft should come loose. Repeat until all of the wefts are out of your hair. 

Step Three

The wefts may have been sewn into micro rings, or your hair may have been braided underneath. Either way, it is time to deal with that. If your hair was braided, you can remove the elastic securing it and use your rat tail comb to gently tease out the braid. If they were sewn onto micro rings, then you should use your pliers to squeeze the ring until it slides loose. 

Step Four

You should then gently comb through the hair to remove the strands that should have been shed but couldn't because of the weft. Brushing through your hair might be difficult, so it might be worth using a detangling spray or a conditioner. 

Step Five

After you have brushed your hair, it is time to wash your hair. You should also wash and brush through the weft because they can be reused. 

Removing a sew-in weft extension at home is probably the most difficult removal process. Ideally, you should have someone to help you as the removal process involves scissors; you need to be extra careful to avoid giving yourself an accidental haircut. 

5 Tips On Removing Hair Extensions

Removing semi-permanent hair extensions is a process; if you aren't on board for a perhaps lengthy removal process, then you should consider using clip-ins. They are far easier to put in and take out, although they do not last as long. 

• Know what type of semi-permanent extensions you have
• Have the removal equipment ready and to hand
• Try to find an extra pair of hands to help you
• Take your time
• Be gentle 

Final Thoughts

Removing your hair extensions at home can seem daunting, but if you don't have the time or money to have a professional do it for you, then it is entirely possible. Simply follow the above removal methods and keep in mind the tips provided.

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