In a rush? Can’t get to a salon? Well, we’ve got you covered!
Hair extensions can do wonders to your hair. But when it’s time for them to come out, they could be causing more stress than joy.
It’s recommended that you get your hair extensions removed by a professional. This is to ensure your natural hair experiences no damage or harm, which it can if extensions are being removed by someone who is not familiar with the task at hand.
But, we understand that this isn’t always possible. Life can get busy, we lose track of time, or a virus breaks out and causes salons to close! Whatever the reason, although it isn’t recommended, it is possible for you to take your extensions out at home. And here’s how…
Talk to your hair extension stylist
Hair extension removal is a job for a specialist. So, before proceeding to do it yourself, speak to the stylist that installed the hair in the first place. If they cannot arrange an appointment for you, they will definitely be able to offer you a tip or two for how you can do it yourself, safely.
Removing tape hair extensions
Fortunately, tape-in extensions are perhaps the easiest to remove. All you’ll need is a bond remover and a comb. Follow the steps below to remove the tape hair extensions;
Apply the bond remover to the tape and massage it in. You can purchase bond remover at HairShop by click here. You will begin to feel the tape loosen, at which point you can peel the extension off and slide it out.
When peeling, be sure not to pull too hard as this will damage the natural hair that the extension is attached to. If you feel pressure, just add another drop of the bond remover, massage and peel again.
Another tip, if your comb has a tail end, you can use the tail to slide between the two sides of tape to help loosen the extension even more.
You may have bits of tape and adhesive residue left in the hair. But not to worry, the remover is completely safe for your natural hair so apply more drops and massage until these come out too.
Your natural hair growth cycle will mean loose bits of hair may collect at the roots. So, once the extensions and any residue have been removed, comb your hair, starting at the bottom and working up towards the roots. It’s normal to lose between 50 - 100 hairs each day so don’t be alarmed at the amount that collects when combing your strands through.
Removing bonded extensions
Although it might take a bit more work, it is possible to remove bonded hair extensions at home, too. All you need is:
Bond remover, you can contact HairShop to purchase
Fine tooth comb
Hair extension pliers
Ensure your hair is completely dry before starting. Wetting the bonds can actually make them harder, which of course, we don’t want!
Separate the bonded hair extension from all other hair around it and apply a few drops of the bond remover. Massage this into the bond.
Next, grab your hair extension pliers and clamp down on the bond. Apply pressure until it breaks into smaller pieces. Once broken, the extension should just slide out.
It’s important that you only apply pressure with the pliers to the bond as it could end up damaging your natural hair. Therefore, if possible, it’s advised that you get an extra pair of hands to help you, especially with the bonds at the back of your head that are a little harder to see.
Once all the bonds have been broken and extensions removed, go through your hair with a fine tooth comb to ensure there is no residue or loose hair left.
Removing micro ring extensions
Again, these can be a little tricky to remove yourself. But if you simply cannot wait any longer, here’s what to do.
Firstly, you will need:
Tail-ended comb
Hair clips
Micro ring extension pliers
Start with the extensions around your neck, going through and removing them row by row. This is where the clips come in handy as they allow you to section your hair so you can really isolate each ring.
Using the pliers, apply pressure to the ring in the opposite direction to the way it was flattened. Try and apply as little pressure as possible to avoid damaging your natural hair. If a ring is proving more difficult to loosen, increase the pressure slightly. Once loose, the extension will simply slide right out.
Where the ring was, you may find loose hair or product residue, which is completely normal. Use your comb to gently brush these out so you are able to properly cleanse your hair afterwards.
Removing weave or sew-in extensions
You will definitely need a second pair of hands to help you with removing a weave or sew-in extensions. As well as this, you’ll require:
Scissors
Clips
Comb
As you will be using scissors, it’s best to start by clipping all of your natural hair out of the way to avoid accidently cutting it. It’s also recommended that hair is completely dry as this makes it easier to distinguish your natural hair from the extension.
The extension wefts will be attached by a thread to a braid on your head. The trick is to cut the thread and not the wefts themselves. In fact, try and preserve the extensions as well as possible when removing them as you may be able to reinstall them later.
Going around your head, cut loose each thread you see or feel. It’s a lot harder to get those at the back of the head which is where the additional pair of hands are needed. Or alternatively, if you are alone, you can use a mirror. Just take your time and be careful!
Once all the weave has been removed, you’ll be left with the braids they were attached to. Unbraid these gently, avoiding pulling and tugging the hair which could cause damage. Your stylist may have even braided some loose synthetic hair into the braid so don’t be alarmed when this starts to fall out.
Taking care of your hair after hair extensions removal
Once your extensions have been removed, aftercare is important for treating any unavoidable harm. One of the reasons people have extensions installed is to preserve natural hair and promote growth, but even this requires some looking after in order for results to be sustained.
So, it’s recommended that you give your hair a good cleanse first to remove any remaining residue from the extensions or removal products.
After this, use a hair repairing mask to treat any breakage or damage caused by the tension. Products containing keratin are beneficial as these not only strengthen the hair, but also keep it looking fuller, smoother and shinier.
It’s also a good time to give your hair a break from heat tools that can cause further damage. Instead, opt for natural methods of drying and styling and hair looks that minimise tension, including low ponytails and loose braids.
Now, let's move onto the HAIR Quality for your hair extensions. The Shampoo Lounge only use hair of the highest standard for our customers, never compromising on quality. The hair is 100% human hair with HairShop.store brand, which has been chemically treated by professionals to ensure it’s in great condition. The hair is silky, healthy, shiny and very durable. We only use the highest quality Remy hair, as they suit almost everyone.
Article written by Lecooper from Rock n Roller Hair
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