How to Prevent Tangling and Shedding in Hair Extensions: The Ultimate Guide

Hair extensions can transform your look instantly, adding length, volume, and style. However, if not cared properly, they can become tangled and start shedding, leading to frustration and a shorter lifespan. Whether you have clip-in extensions, tape-ins, sew-ins, or women's hair wiglets, proper maintenance is key to keeping them smooth, silky, and long-lasting.

Tangled hair extensions not only look messy but can also become damaged if knots in hair are not removed carefully. Shedding weakens the wefts and shortens the lifespan of your hair extensions, making them less cost-effective in the long run. By following the right hair care routine, using sulfate-free products and implementing proper storage techniques, you can keep your hair extensions looking fresh and flawless for months. You can also read our blog for more information at hair extensions care tips.

In this guide, we’ll cover the best tips and tricks to prevent tangling and shedding in hair extensions, ensuring they stay flawless for as long as possible.

Why Do Hair Extensions Tangle & Shed?

Before diving into the solutions, it’s important to understand why hair extensions tangle and shed in the first place:

• Low-Quality Hair: Synthetic or lower-grade human hair is more prone to tangling.
• Lack of Proper Care: Not brushing, washing, or storing them correctly leads to knots and shedding.
• Overuse of Heat & Styling Products: Excessive heat damages hair cuticles, making extensions dry and frizzy.
• Friction: Rubbing against clothes, pillows, or accessories can cause tangling.
• Chemical treatments: Dyeing, bleaching, or using harsh products can weaken hair extensions and cause shedding. If you want to add a pop of color without damage, try our coloured hair extensions instead.
• Moisture Imbalance: Dry extensions lack elasticity, while too much moisture makes them sticky and tangled.

Now that we know the causes, let’s discuss how to prevent these issues effectively.

1. Invest in High-Quality Extensions

Not all extensions are created equal. If you want tangle-free, long-lasting hair, invest in 100% Remy human hair extensions. Remy hair retains the natural cuticle alignment, reducing tangling and ensuring a smooth texture.

How to Choose the Best Extensions:

✔ Opt for Remy human hair or seamless hair extensions for the best results.
✔ Check for silky, aligned cuticles to avoid friction-based tangling.
✔ Avoid synthetic hair, as it’s more prone to matting and shedding.

2. Brush Your Extensions the Right Way

Proper brushing prevents knots and removes loose hairs, reducing shedding. However, using the wrong brush or brushing aggressively can lead to breakage. Use a wide-tooth comb or a loop brush made for hair extensions, especially if you’re using hair extensions for thinning.

Brushing Tips:

✔ Use a wide-tooth comb or a loop brush specifically designed for hair extensions.
✔ Start from the ends and work your way up to avoid pulling.
✔ Always hold the weft or base while brushing to prevent tension on bonds or clips.
✔ Detangle before and after wearing your clip in hair extensions.
✔ Avoid brushing when wet, as damp hair is more fragile.

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3. Wash Extensions Gently

Overwashing or using the wrong products can strip moisture from hair extensions, causing dryness and tangling.

How to Wash Hair Extensions Properly:

✔ Use a sulfate-free, alcohol-free shampoo to prevent dryness.
✔ Wash extensions in lukewarm water – avoid hot water, as it weakens bonds.
✔ Gently massage shampoo in a downward motion to prevent tangling.
✔ Condition deeply after every wash to restore moisture.
✔ Air-dry instead of using a blow dryer to prevent heat damage.
✔For more information about how to wash your hair extensions, check our blog at how to wash and maintain hair extensions.

4. Keep Extensions Hydrated

Moisture is key to preventing frizz, dryness, and tangles—especially for hair extensions and hair toppers.

Best Hydration Tips:

✔ Use a lightweight leave-in conditioner to maintain silkiness.
✔ Apply natural oils like argan or coconut oil to the ends.
✔ Avoid heavy products that cause buildup and make extensions sticky.
✔ Use a deep conditioning mask once a week for extra hydration.

5. Minimize Heat Damage

Excessive heat styling weakens hair, making it prone to tangling and shedding.

Heat Styling Tips:

✔ Use a heat protectant spray before styling.
✔ Avoid temperatures above 350°F (175°C) when using hot tools.
✔Try heatless styles like braids or rollers, or wear a hairpiece bun for an easy, damage-free style.
✔ Use low-heat settings on straighteners and curling irons.
✔ Limit heat styling to twice a week to maintain hair integrity.
✔ Opt for heatless styling techniques like braids or rollers.

6. Store Extensions Properly

When not in use, proper storage prevents tangling and keeps hair extensions looking fresh.

How to Store Hair Extensions:

✔ Lay them flat in a silk bag or luxury hair extensions carrier to avoid friction.
✔ Clip them onto a hanger or storage case to maintain shape.
✔ Avoid leaving them in humid areas, as moisture can cause frizz.
✔ Never store extensions while damp, as this leads to mold and odor.

7. Avoid Sleeping with Loose Extensions

Sleeping with clip in hair extensions in the wrong way can lead to excessive tangling.

Night-time Care Routine:

✔ Tie hair extensions in a loose braid or ponytail before bed.
✔ Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase to reduce friction.
✔ If wearing permanent hair extensions, wrap hair in a silk scarf.
✔ Avoid sleeping with wet hair to prevent matting.

8. Prevent Shedding with Gentle Handling

Shedding is inevitable, but excessive hair loss means something is wrong. Here’s how to reduce shedding:

✔ When wearing lightweight pieces like a halo hairline topper, handle it gently and store it flat to avoid tangling or shedding
✔ Avoid excessive tugging or pulling while brushing.
✔ Use gentle hair ties instead of tight elastics.
✔ Don’t overuse hairspray, dry shampoo, or heavy styling products.
✔ If using tape-ins or sew-ins, get them professionally removed instead of pulling them out.
✔ If shedding is severe, check for loose wefts and secure them with a small stitch or glue.

Conclusion

Preventing tangling and shedding in hair extensions is all about proper care, gentle handling, and using the right products. By following these tips, you can ensure your extensions stay soft, smooth, and long-lasting.

With consistent maintenance, you can extend the lifespan of your hair extensions and keep them looking as good as new. Investing in quality extensions and using the right techniques will help you achieve a flawless, tangle-free look every day. Remember, proper care is the key to maintaining silky, beautiful hair extensions that last!

By following these hair extension care tips, you can enjoy tangle-free, silky-smooth extensions for a long time!