Real Remy human hair extensions can last years if you treat them right-but most people ruin them within months by treating them like their own hair. That’s not how it works. Remy hair is collected with the cuticles intact and aligned in one direction, which is what makes it silky, tangle-free, and durable. But that also means it doesn’t get nutrients from your scalp anymore. It’s no longer alive. It’s like fine leather: it needs care, not just washing.
Wash Less, But Better
You don’t need to wash Remy extensions every day. In fact, washing them more than twice a week will dry them out and strip the natural oils they still have from being harvested. Once a week is enough for most people. If you wear them every day and sweat a lot, go up to twice a week. Use a sulfate-free shampoo. Sulfates are harsh. They’re in most drugstore shampoos because they make your hair lather like crazy-but they also strip moisture, cause frizz, and make extensions look dull fast.
Always rinse with cool water. Hot water opens the cuticle and lets moisture escape. Cool water seals it. After shampooing, follow with a conditioner made for human hair extensions. Don’t use regular conditioner meant for your scalp hair-it’s too heavy. Look for lightweight, silicone-free conditioners. Apply from mid-length to ends only. Never pour conditioner on the wefts or clips. That’s where the attachment is, and conditioner can weaken the bonding or make it slippery.
Dry Them Right
Never let Remy hair extensions air-dry while clipped in. Gravity pulls on wet hair, and wet hair is fragile. That leads to stretching, breakage, and uneven texture. Always take them out before drying. Lay them flat on a towel, gently squeeze out excess water, then let them dry naturally on a wig stand or a hanger with clips facing down. If you’re in a hurry, use a blow dryer on the lowest heat setting and hold it at least six inches away. Never point the dryer straight at the roots or wefts. Use a diffuser attachment if you have one.
Never sleep with wet extensions. That’s a fast track to tangling and matting. If you must wear them to bed, braid them loosely first.
Brushing: The Most Important Step
Brushing is not optional. It’s the single most important thing you do daily. Use a wide-tooth comb or a brush made specifically for extensions-like a Tangle Teezer or a wooden paddle brush with natural bristles. Start from the bottom and work your way up in small sections. Never yank or pull from the top. That’s how you rip out strands or damage the weft.
Brush before washing. Brush after washing. Brush before bed. Brush after waking up. If you skip brushing even once, knots will form. And once knots turn into mats, you’re looking at cutting out sections or replacing the whole set. That’s expensive. A good brush costs $15. A new set of Remy extensions costs $300-$800.
Heat Styling: Do It Smart
Remy human hair can handle heat-up to 450°F. But that doesn’t mean you should use high heat every day. Every time you flat iron or curl your extensions, you’re removing moisture. Over time, the hair becomes brittle and straw-like. If you style them daily, use a heat protectant spray made for human hair extensions. Look for ones with argan oil or keratin. Avoid alcohol-based sprays-they dry the hair out faster.
Set your tools to 350°F or lower. That’s enough to style without frying the hair. And never use a curling iron on the same section twice. That’s a quick way to create burn marks or split ends. If you’re unsure, test a small strand first.
Storage: Keep Them Alive Between Uses
When you’re not wearing your extensions, store them properly. Don’t toss them in a drawer. Don’t hang them on a hook. Don’t wrap them in a rubber band. All of those will cause tangles, creases, or breakage.
Use a silk or satin storage bag. Lay them flat, or hang them on a wide, padded hanger. If you’re storing them long-term, put a silica gel packet inside the bag to absorb moisture. Humidity is the enemy. It causes mold, mildew, and odor. Even if your extensions look fine, a musty smell means they’ve been stored wrong.
Avoid These Common Mistakes
- Using regular shampoo-it strips natural oils and makes extensions look synthetic.
- Sleeping with them tangled-leads to irreversible knots.
- Wearing them in chlorinated pools-chlorine bleaches and dries out hair. Rinse immediately after swimming.
- Using too much product-gels, sprays, and serums build up and weigh hair down. Stick to lightweight, extension-safe formulas.
- Washing them in the shower while clipped in-water pressure and shampoo runoff can loosen the bonds.
How Long Do They Last?
With proper care, Remy human hair extensions last 6 months to 2 years. That’s not a guess. That’s what salon professionals see daily. The difference between 6 months and 2 years? How often you wash, brush, and protect them from heat. People who treat them like real hair-washing gently, brushing daily, avoiding daily heat-get two full years out of them. People who treat them like disposable hair? They’re replacing them every 4 months.
Even if they start to look a little dry after 6 months, you can revive them. A deep conditioning treatment once a month helps. Use a mask made for human hair extensions-leave it on for 30 minutes, then rinse with cool water. Do this every 4-6 weeks and your extensions will look fresh for longer.
When to Replace Them
You know it’s time when:
- The hair feels rough or brittle, even after conditioning
- There are visible split ends along the entire length
- The color has faded unevenly or turned brassy
- The wefts are fraying or the clips are loose
If you notice any of these, don’t wait. Continuing to use damaged extensions puts stress on your natural hair. The weight and tension can cause traction alopecia-permanent hair loss around the hairline.
Can I color my Remy human hair extensions?
Yes, but only if they’re virgin Remy hair-meaning they’ve never been dyed or processed. If they’re already colored, you can only go darker. Lightening will damage the hair because the cuticles are already open from previous processing. Always consult a professional colorist who has experience with extensions. Never use box dye.
Can I swim with Remy hair extensions?
You can, but you shouldn’t without protection. Chlorine and saltwater strip moisture and cause fading. Before swimming, wet your extensions with fresh water and apply a leave-in conditioner. After swimming, rinse immediately with clean water and wash with sulfate-free shampoo that same day. Never let them dry with chlorine on them.
Why do my extensions get tangled so fast?
Tangling usually happens because you’re not brushing them enough, or you’re brushing them the wrong way. Always start from the ends and work upward. Also, sleeping without a silk bonnet or braid can cause knots. Humidity and product buildup make it worse. Switch to extension-specific products and brush daily.
Should I use oil on my extensions?
Yes-but sparingly. Argan oil or jojoba oil can add shine and reduce frizz. Apply just a drop to your palms, rub them together, then lightly run your hands down the mid-lengths and ends. Never apply oil to the roots or wefts. That can make clips slippery and cause slippage during wear.
Can I use a hair mask meant for natural hair on extensions?
Some can, but many are too heavy. Avoid masks with heavy butters like shea or coconut oil-they coat the hair and make it look greasy. Look for masks labeled for human hair extensions or those with lightweight ingredients like keratin, silk proteins, or aloe vera. Always rinse thoroughly.
Final Tip: Treat Them Like You’d Treat a Good Pair of Shoes
You wouldn’t throw your designer sneakers in the rain and expect them to last. Remy hair extensions are the same. They’re an investment. If you take care of them, they’ll look amazing for years. If you ignore them, they’ll turn into a tangled, frizzy mess in months. It’s not magic. It’s just consistency. Brush daily. Wash gently. Store right. Avoid heat overload. That’s it.
