How to Care for Hair Extensions: Tips That Actually Work

When you get hair extensions, add-on hair pieces designed to blend with your natural hair for length, volume, or color. Also known as hair wefts, they’re not magic—they need real care to look good and last. If you treat them like your own hair, they’ll fall out, tangle, or look fake fast. But if you follow a few simple rules, they can last months—sometimes over a year—and still look like they grew from your scalp.

There are different types of extensions, and each needs slightly different care. Halo hair extensions, a single strand of hair attached to a thin wire that sits on top of your head are easy to put in and take out, so you can wash them less often. Sew-in hair extensions, hair woven into braids along your scalp need daily brushing and a satin pillowcase to avoid breakage. Clip-in hair extensions, pieces you snap in and out for quick volume can slip if your hair is oily or if you don’t clip them right. Knowing which kind you have changes how you care for it.

Most people mess up by washing too much or using the wrong products. Extensions don’t get oil from your scalp, so they don’t need daily washing. Wash them every 8–10 wears, using sulfate-free shampoo and cool water. Never sleep with wet extensions—that’s how tangles and breakage start. Always brush them gently from the ends up before bed. Heat tools? Only use them if your extensions are heat-friendly. Even then, keep the temperature under 350°F. And never use regular hair masks—they’re too heavy. Stick to lightweight conditioners made for extensions.

Where you store them matters too. Don’t toss them in a drawer. Hang them or lay them flat. If you’re using a wig stand, even better. Keeping them tangle-free when not in use saves you hours of brushing later. And if you’re worried about color fading, avoid chlorine, saltwater, and direct sun. A UV-protectant spray helps, but skipping the pool or beach is even better.

You don’t need a salon to keep extensions looking great. Most of the work happens at home: brushing, washing right, sleeping smart. The people who get the longest wear aren’t the ones who spend the most—they’re the ones who skip the shortcuts. If you’ve ever had extensions fall out after a month, it’s not the product’s fault. It’s the routine.

Below, you’ll find real advice from people who’ve been there—how to sleep with sew-ins without waking up in a knot, why your clip-ins slip after lunch, how to pick the right color so no one notices they’re not yours, and what to do when your extensions start looking dry or dull. No fluff. Just what works.