How to Dye Real Hair Extensions

Hair extensions are a fun way to give yourself a new look. If you have human hair extensions, they can also be dyed. You might want to use a bold color to add streaks to your do or dye them the same shade as your natural color so they blend in. Either way, you're free to dye them as often as you like, but be careful! Human hair extensions can get damaged by heat and chemicals just like your hair.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Color

1. Do a strand test before you try to color all of your extensions. Separate a small strand of hair from one of your extensions. Mix the color as directed on the packaging, then apply it to that strand only. After the minimum time recommended for that dye, check the color. Reapply if it's not quite the shade you want yet, then check every 5-10 minutes.^[1]
   
   • This test shows you how your extensions will handle the coloring process and gives you a good idea of how long you need to keep the dye on to get the color you want.
2. Wash and dry your extensions if you've used any product on them. Shampoo and condition your extensions as you normally would to make sure they're clean. This ensures that they'll properly absorb the color.^[2]
   
   • When you're prepping your extensions for color, it's best to avoid using heat to dry them. Instead, let them lay out overnight to air dry.
   • If your extensions are brand new, you don't necessarily have to wash them before you color them—but it's still good practice just to make sure they're clean and best able to take the color.^[3]
3. Use a wide-toothed comb to detangle your dry extensions. Lay your extensions out flat and comb them carefully from root to tip. If they're particularly tangled, separate the strands and comb them in sections, then run the comb down through the whole extension.^[4]
   
   
   • You can follow up with a fine-toothed comb if you want, but it isn't usually necessary. One comb-through should be enough to get your extensions ready for color.
4. Mix the dye you want according to the instructions on the package. Put on rubber gloves to mix your color. If you bought box color at a pharmacy or discount store, the instructions for mixing the color will be in the box. With professional color, you'll typically mix color and developer in a 1:1 ratio.^[5]
   
   
   • You're probably going to need more color for your extensions than you think! If you're using box color, go ahead and mix the whole thing.
   • If you're using a bright dye in a non-natural hair color, get extensions that are as light as possible to start. While you can always dye your extensions darker, never attempt to bleach them or lighten them by more than a shade—you risk destroying them.^[6]
5. Apply color from root to tip. Lay your extensions out flat on a table or counter, using a cloth or paper towels to protect the surface. Start at the root of the extension and apply color slowly, combing the color down through the extension to the tips. Once you've painted one side, flip the extension over and get the other side as well. Make sure each strand is equally and thoroughly saturated with color.^[7]
   
   
   • You can use your hands to apply the color, but it's usually easier to use a color brush.
6. Wait for the length of time indicated by your strand test. Cover your extensions loosely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to keep the color from drying out. Most products will tell you to leave the color on the hair for 20-40 minutes, but this is a pretty wide range. Stick with the time you determined from your strand test to get the color you want.^[8]
   
7. Hold your extensions from the roots and rinse down. Use cool water at low pressure to rinse the color out of your extensions. Use your fingers to gently comb through the extensions and help rinse the color off.^[9]
   
   
   • Rinse until there is no more color running off into the water—this could take as long as 15 minutes.^[10]
8. Wash and condition with products designed for colored hair. Wash your extensions gently with a color-safe shampoo and rinse thoroughly. Then, use a color-safe conditioner to soften and condition the hair.^[11]
   
   
   • You might see a little color run off your extensions when you rinse out the shampoo or conditioner—that's okay! Just keep rinsing until the water runs clear over the hair.
9. Smooth and straighten your extensions with a wide-tooth comb. Lay your extensions out flat on a towel and comb through them until they are straight and detangled. Be gentle! Wet hair breaks more easily and you don't want to damage your extensions.^[12]
   
10. Squeeze and pat with a towel to dry your extensions. This allows you to get the excess water out of your extensions. Never rub them—you'll cause them to tangle. Wrap them in a towel and squeeze. Then, lay them out on a towel to finish drying.^[13]
    
    
    • Your extensions need to be completely dry before you style them or put them on your head. Typically, it's best to leave them out overnight to dry on a clean, dry towel.
11. Style your extensions however you want. If you're going to use heated tools, spray your extensions with a heat-protecting spray first. Then work your magic! Once you've styled your extensions the way you want, they're ready to put in.^[14]
    

[Edit]Maintenance

1. Wait 48 hours after dying to wash your extensions. After the initial wash to rinse the dye out, don't wash your colored extensions again for at least 48 hours. This helps the color set so it won't fade as quickly.^[15]
   
2. Wash your extensions no more than once a week. Generally, you don't want to wash colored extensions as often as you might otherwise. Use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner that's specifically formulated for colored hair. Washing with cold water, if possible, will help keep the cuticle flat against the shaft, which also protects against fade.^[16]
   
   • Since you probably don't want to take a cold shower, wash your hair separately when you're wearing your extensions.
3. Use a dry shampoo in between washes. Dry shampoo will keep your hair looking its best if it starts to get oily or limp in between washes. Apply it directly to the roots of your hair and your scalp to soak up the oil—you don't need to spray down to the tips.^[17]
   
   • You can get dry shampoo online or wherever hair products are sold. Typically, it comes in powdered form or in a spray can. You might find the spray more efficient and easier to work with than the loose powder.
4. Apply leave-in conditioner and heat-protectant before styling. Heat can damage colored extensions more than it would your natural hair. A leave-in conditioner and heat-protecting spray will help keep your extensions looking their best.^[18]
   
   • The hair in your extensions dries out more easily than the hair on your head, which makes it prone to breakage. Heat can exacerbate this process.

[Edit]Tips

• Do a strand test before you dye your extensions! It'll help you see how they handle the coloring process so you're less likely to mess up.^[19]
• It's a lot easier to dye hair extensions before they're fitted rather than waiting until they're on your head. If you try to dye your extensions and your natural hair at the same time, the extensions will process faster and won't match the rest of your hair.^[20]

[Edit]Warnings

• If you want to dye your extensions more than a shade or two lighter or need to use bleach, contact a professional colorist. Real human hair extensions have already been dyed and bleach can ruin them.^[21]
• If you're swimming in a pool, don't get your extensions wet. The chlorine will ruin the color and the hair will become dry and brittle.^[22]
• Don't try to dye synthetic extensions. They won't take the color and the processing will ruin them. If you don't want to pay for real human hair extensions, buy your extensions in the color you want.^[23]

[Edit]References

1. ↑ https://www.perfectlocks.com/blogs/all-tressed-up/135581831-can-you-dye-human-hair-extensions
2. ↑ https://www.perfectlocks.com/blogs/all-tressed-up/135446727-dying-your-hair-extensions-at-home-step-by-step
3. ↑ https://www.privatelabelextensions.com/blogs/hair-blog/make-colored-extensions-last
4. ↑ https://www.perfectlocks.com/blogs/all-tressed-up/135446727-dying-your-hair-extensions-at-home-step-by-step
5. ↑ https://www.irresistibleme.com/blogs/news/coloring-hair-extensions
6. ↑ https://www.irresistibleme.com/blogs/news/coloring-hair-extensions
7. ↑ https://nutress.co.uk/can-you-dye-hair-extensions/
8. ↑ https://www.irresistibleme.com/blogs/news/coloring-hair-extensions
9. ↑ https://nutress.co.uk/can-you-dye-hair-extensions/
10. ↑ https://www.irresistibleme.com/blogs/news/coloring-hair-extensions
11. ↑ https://www.irresistibleme.com/blogs/news/coloring-hair-extensions
12. ↑ https://www.irresistibleme.com/blogs/news/coloring-hair-extensions
13. ↑ https://nutress.co.uk/can-you-dye-hair-extensions/
14. ↑ https://www.irresistibleme.com/blogs/news/coloring-hair-extensions
15. ↑ https://donnabellahair.com/blogs/coloring-news/aftercare-guide-for-colored-hair-extensions
16. ↑ https://donnabellahair.com/blogs/coloring-news/aftercare-guide-for-colored-hair-extensions
17. ↑ https://www.privatelabelextensions.com/blogs/hair-blog/using-dry-shampoo
18. ↑ https://www.privatelabelextensions.com/blogs/hair-blog/make-colored-extensions-last
19. ↑ https://www.perfectlocks.com/blogs/all-tressed-up/135581831-can-you-dye-human-hair-extensions
20. ↑ https://nutress.co.uk/can-you-dye-hair-extensions/
21. ↑ https://www.irresistibleme.com/blogs/news/coloring-hair-extensions
22. ↑ https://www.privatelabelextensions.com/blogs/hair-blog/make-colored-extensions-last
23. ↑ https://www.privatelabelextensions.com/blogs/hair-blog/make-colored-extensions-last

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