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Hair extensions are a great way for most women to change up their looks without permanently committing to it. If you already have hair extensions and just want a fresher look, coloring them might just be a way for it. But if you’re wondering "can you color hair extensions?", then the quick answer is yes. With this, you won’t have to worry about damaging your own natural hair, but at the same time, getting a new and fun look that you’ve always wanted. Not only will it be fun, but also help boost your confidence and feel more empowered.
In this article, we will be discussing what you should know about coloring your hair extensions, and the do’s and don’ts, so that you can avoid making mistakes that could ruin your extensions when dyeing them.
The most important thing before even coloring your hair extensions is to make sure that your hair extension is made of real human hair. Here in PerfectLocks, we never use synthetic or animal fiber hairs. We use the highest quality virgin indian remy hair as it is durable that can last with you for years if taken care of properly, and is very resilient. A lot of experts do not recommend dyeing your hair extensions that are made from other materials or artificial hair because those are already chemically treated and will not hold out against the coloring process.
If you are going to buy hair extensions and plan on coloring them, it is highly recommended to buy hair extensions that have a lighter shade than the color you want to achieve. It is easier to reach your desired color this way, rather than trying to ‘lighten’ up the color of darker shades of hair extensions. It doesn’t have to be very light, but 1 level lighter than your desired color will be enough. This will let you achieve the desired tone of the hair and also be a good background color that will have better results for the hair.
Hair extensions can be expensive and require more attention than our natural hair. Try to think of your hair extensions as investments, and to take care of them properly, you also have to invest a little in using the correct products for them. You have to make sure that you are using high quality products that are made specifically for hair extensions. When washing them, use high quality sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to keep your extensions moisturized and hydrated.
It is a good idea to wash your hair extensions first before dyeing to remove any dirt. You can use a bowl of water along with a little pump of the sulfate-free shampoo. You should wash one weft at a time. Hold it on top of the weft and submerge them in water. Gently wash them and avoid rubbing or tangling the hair. After washing, make sure that you completely air dry the extensions. Once dried, comb them carefully to remove any tangles.
Semi or demi hair dyes are better to use than permanent hair color. This is because they are a lot safer for your hair extensions. The color only stays outside of your hair cuticle and will less likely cause any damage. Compared to permanent hair colors, they are risky and more damaging to the hair because it opens the cuticle and pushes the color molecules into the hair shaft. Using semi or demi hair dyes will prolong your extension in the long run.
Before fully dyeing your hair extensions, it is recommended that you test the coloring on a small section or just with a single weft. It’s better to test it out on one part rather than ruin your entire hair extension. This will help you decide whether you are satisfied with the result before dyeing the whole set. This will allow you to make adjustments on the color when you don’t really like the color you achieved initially. Make sure you are satisfied with the color before proceeding with the whole extension.
One major key in maintaining the quality and health of your hair extension if you’re planning on coloring them is dyeing them in one direction only. Make sure that you are coloring the extension from the root moving down towards the tip of the hair. Make sure that you are applying the dye to both sides of the hair, and still in the same direction. When done correctly, it will give you an even result in color. Changing up the direction of the coloring can damage the extension, leaving it frizzy or even tangle them.
Earlier we explained why using a lighter shade of your desired color is recommended for your hair extensions. Trying to lighten, bleach, or highlight the color of your extension is a bad idea. Though you can do it with virgin hair, it is still not advisable by hairdressers. Hair extensions are made and processed in factories using different chemicals. Those chemicals and the lightening products might have chemical reactions that would cause the damage to the hair extensions. If you ever plan on lightening, bleaching, or highlighting your extensions, consult your hairdressers first.
If you have no experience in coloring hair extensions, then it is best to bring it to a salon or to your hairdresser for dyeing. Hair extensions can be pricey, and messing up the colors of it is sometimes unfixable. Rather than risk it, book an appointment with your hairdresser if you are unsure of the coloring process. Once coloring is done, let them know if you are satisfied with the color. If you’re not satisfied with the result, let your hairdresser know so that they can still adjust it for you. Fixing it on your own without entirely knowing how to will lead to damaging or ruining your extensions, and that is the last thing we want.
Once the process of dyeing your extensions is done, you will be washing them again with your sulfate-free products. After this, we recommend that you only wash your extensions every other day or every two to three days, depending on the oiliness of your hair. This is because over-washing them will dry out the hair and remove natural oils that it needs.
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