Human hair extensions can transform your look and allow you to change and try out new hairstyles. Indian Remy hair extensions are the longest lasting extensions, and can be worn for a year or longer. Some women who wear human hair weaves wonder whether it's safe to dye their human hair extensions.
Yes, you can dye your human hair extensions
You can do anything with human hair extensions that you can do to your natural hair. This includes dyeing, cutting, heat styling and chemically processing your human hair. Many weave wearers dye extensions to get an exact match to their natural hair color. Things to remember when dyeing your human hair extensions:
Do a strand test first.
Even though you can dye your hair extensions, you should first test to see how they will handle the coloring process. Mix the dye as directed, then apply to one small strand or section of the hair. Take note of the end result before continuing to dye the rest of your hair.
Virgin hair extensions are the best type of weaves for dyeing.
Because virgin Remy hair extensions have not been chemically processed in any way, they can be dyed with minimal damage to the hair. While it's best to avoid overly harsh chemicals, virgin Remy extensions can be lightened or darkened as natural hair. Experts advise that you don't attempt to dye non-Remy hair weaves. These hair extensions have been chemically treated, stripping the strand to its weakest. They are generally not strong enough to be dyed.
It may take multiple applications to lighten your hair extensions.
To dye black extensions to blonde or light brown color, you must first strip the hair of its natural color. Then you must bleach the hair to the desired shade. This may take more than one try to get to the right color. As usual, do a strand test first to avoid ending up with a head full of orange locks.
Just as strong chemicals can strip and damage your natural hair, harsh chemicals can also damage your human hair extensions beyond repair.
Indian Remy human hair weaves have the cuticle layer intact. This outer layer of the strand gives the hair its natural shine and body. By using chemical dyes that are too strong for the hair you can strip the cuticle, making your extensions weak, dull and brittle.
Indian Remy hair extensions come in a wide variety of colors.
With clip-in extensions and lace wigs you can quickly and safely change your hair color in an instant. With tape-ins you can have a stylist customize the perfect hairstyle that fits you best! There are so many options to help you achieve the look of your dreams!
How to Bleach Remy Hair Extensions Safely
Bleaching extensions requires a slightly different approach than bleaching natural hair, because extensions don't have a scalp to draw moisture from during and after the process. Here's the approach that minimizes damage while achieving your color goal:
"We always recommend going darker rather than lighter when dyeing extensions, if possible. Going darker is forgiving and the results are predictable. Lightening - especially bleaching - requires more precision and significantly more aftercare. If you want to lighten your extensions, we strongly recommend having a professional colorist handle it, especially the first time."
- Priyanka Swamy, Founder of Perfect Locks
Use a lower volume developer: Natural hair typically uses 20-30 volume developer for lightening. Extensions are more porous and process faster, so 10-20 volume is usually sufficient. Using too high a volume causes uneven lightening and can significantly damage the cuticle.
Process off the head: For clip-in extensions, remove them and process the dye or bleach while the hair is off your head. Lay wefts flat on aluminum foil, apply bleach evenly, wrap, and check every 10 minutes. This gives you much more control over the process than working on-head.
Deep condition immediately after: Apply a moisture-rich deep conditioning treatment as soon as you rinse out the bleach. Leave it on for 30 minutes minimum before rinsing. Bleaching strips moisture - replenishing it immediately dramatically improves the final texture of lightened extensions.
Going Darker: Dyeing Extensions a Deeper Color
This is the easier and safer direction for coloring extensions. The process is essentially the same as dyeing natural hair, with a few differences:
Mix your dye to a slightly thinner consistency than you would for natural hair - extensions tend to be drier and thicker formulas can be harder to distribute evenly. Apply to clean, dry extensions laid flat. Leave on for the minimum recommended time first and check the result - extensions often process faster than natural hair. Rinse with cool water and deep condition.
For tape-in extensions, avoid getting dye on the tape bonds. Apply from 1-2 inches below the bond downward. Dye on the tape can weaken the adhesive.
Color Matching: An Easier Alternative to Dyeing
Before committing to coloring your extensions, consider whether the right color match might already exist. We offer 47+ shades across our extension lines, and our free color matching consultation can help you find a shade that works with your natural hair without any chemical processing. Send us a photo in natural light and our team will recommend the best match from our collection - this service is always free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you bleach Remy hair extensions?
Yes - because Remy human hair extensions have the cuticle intact and haven't been chemically processed, they respond to bleach similarly to natural hair. Use a lower volume developer (10-20 rather than 30+), process in shorter time increments checking frequently, and deep condition immediately after. The results are best when done by a professional colorist experienced with extensions.
Can you dye hair extensions that are already installed?
For clip-in extensions, it's better to remove them and dye them off the head for more even color distribution and more control over processing time. For tape-in, sew-in, or other semi-permanent methods, dyeing while installed is possible but requires care to keep the dye away from attachment points. A professional colorist experienced with extensions is strongly recommended.
What happens if you put regular hair dye on extensions?
Regular hair dye formulated for natural hair works on human hair extensions - the chemistry is the same. The main differences are that extensions process faster (check more frequently), may require a slightly thinner formula for even distribution, and need more intensive conditioning afterward since they can't draw on natural scalp oils during recovery.
Do hair extensions hold color as well as natural hair?
Quality Remy human hair extensions with an intact cuticle hold color very well and fade at a similar rate to natural hair. Extensions that have been processed or have a stripped cuticle (often coated with silicone to temporarily mimic quality hair) tend to fade faster and accept color less evenly. This is one of the reasons investing in quality Remy hair pays off even if you plan to color it.
Author and Founder of Perfect Locks LLC
Priyanka Swamy, the visionary founder of Perfect Locks LLC, is a passionate advocate for empowering women and promoting cultural diversity. With an unwavering commitment to ethical sourcing and quality craftsmanship, she redefined the hair extension market and created a supportive community that celebrates individuality.
Priyanka's dedication to sustainability and social responsibility continues to inspire positive change within the industry. Her journey with Perfect Locks remains an inspiration, unlocking the true potential and confidence of countless individuals worldwide.
