How to Revive Dry and Damaged Hair Extensions After a Summer of Sun and Swimming

If you’ve been spending lots of time in the sun, ocean, and in the pool this summer, you’re probably noticing your hair extensions looking dry, dull, and even damaged. Excessive exposure to the sun, salt in the water, and chlorine all do a number on human hair, leaving it feeling and looking dry, frizzy, and less than luminous.

You still have many more days at the beach and girls’ nights out ahead of you, and you need your extensions looking shiny and fabulous. Learn exactly how to revive dry and damaged hair extensions after a summer of sun and swimming with this guide.

How to Repair Dry and Damaged Hair Extensions

Oftentimes, the root issue with hair extensions that are dry and damaged is a lack of moisture. When the natural oils are stripped from your human hair Remy hair extensions, they become dry, straw-like, easily tangled, and appear dull and lackluster.

1. LOC Method

One simple yet effective practice for moisturizing your extensions and bringing them back to life is with a deeply hydrating technique called LOC. This method involves a specific layering of products, starting with the wateriest and ending with the thickest. LOC is an abbreviation that stands for “Liquid,” “Oil,” and “Cream.”

Begin this method with damp hair that was washed or rinsed with warm water. Warm temperatures open the hair cuticles and allow for the hydrating products to penetrate.

For the Liquid step, this can simply be water (from washing) or a watery product. The Oil step can be any type of oil, such as argan oil, olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, or jojoba oil. The Cream step is any type of creamy deep conditioning product. Apply each product in order, focusing on the mid-shaft to ends of the hair and avoiding the top where the tape in extensions, clips in extnesions, or bonds are. Let the extensions air dry, or blow dry with the warm setting.

2. Warm Oil Treatment

This treatment is easy to do at home using just about any type of high-quality oil you have, such as extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, or argan oil. This method works best for temporary hair extensions you can easily take out.

1. Put about ¼ cup of oil in a large to medium size glass or ceramic bowl and microwave it for one minute. The oil should be warm and not too hot
2. Place your extensions in the bowl so they are fully covered by the oil
3. Put the extensions in a plastic bag, close the bag, and let them sit for about one hour
4. Rinse the extensions in water or wash them with a gentle shampoo
5. Use conditioner and rinse
6. Place the extensions on a clean towel and let them air dry overnight.  

 SHOP CLIP IN HAIR EXTENSIONS

3. Boiling Pot Method

While this method may seem odd, it is an effective solution for how to revive dry and damaged hair extensions after a summer of sun and swimming.

1. Bring a small pot of water to a boil
2. Add ten to twenty drops of olive, argan, or coconut oil and two tablespoons of hair conditioner
3. Place dry extensions into the oily water and let them sit for 10 minutes
4. Once the water has cooled down, remove the hair extensions
5. Place them on a towel and let them dry overnight

4. Advanced Hot Water Method

Like the other methods, you’ll need to remove your temporary hair extensions or have your semi-permanent hair extensions taken out before trying this advanced hot water technique.

1. Pour hot water into a medium pot or sink
2. Place hair extensions inside
3. Squirt in a small amount of sulfate-free shampoo and gently massage the extensions until they’re clean
4. Rinse the extensions until no shampoo remains
5. Pour in fresh hot water and add the extensions again.
6. Add in a few drops of a natural oil and a small amount of leave-in conditioner to the water and extensions
7. Gently massage the oily water and extensions
8. Let the hair sit overnight
9. The next day, while the extensions are still wet, gently comb starting at the ends and working your way up
10. Rinse with warm water
11. Place on a towel and leave to air dry
12. Once the extensions are dry, gently brush them to ensure there are no knots

 SHOP TAPE IN HAIR EXTENSIONS

How to Detangle Hair Extensions

If your extensions are tangled and matted, get them damp and spritz detangling solution all over. Use a wide-tooth detangling comb to gently begin brushing out the tangles, starting at the ends and working your way up. Apply a leave-in conditioner to soften and moisturize the extensions. Use the end of a rat tail comb to work out any particularly tricky knots.

How to Prevent More Damage to Your Hair Extensions

Now that you’ve taken steps to revive your dry and damaged hair extensions, it’s important to be proactive to prevent future damage by regularly taking care of your hair extensions.

A few ways you can prevent damage to your hair extensions include:

• Minimize the use of hot styling tools, being sure to apply a heat protectant spray before using straighteners and curling irons
• Use only sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner
• Avoid washing extensions too often: Every 20-30 wears for temporary hair extensions and no more than once per week for semi-permanent
• Avoid scrubbing when washing extensions
• Brush your hair extensions every day with a brush made specially for extensions
• Sleep with a hair cap or head scarf, or in braids, to avoid tangles

For more tips on taking care of extensions and how to revive dry and damaged hair extensions after a summer of sun and swimming, visit our hair blog. If you need inspiration with finding your perfect hair extension look, check out our Shop By Look tool and browse our luxurious 100% human hair Remy hair extensions.