How to wash hair extensions – shampoo and care for tape-ins, scrunchies and ponytails

Washing correctly is what decides how long your hair extensions stay soft and beautiful. The wrong shampoo dries the hair out, and conditioner in the wrong place makes tape tabs let go. Here we go through how to wash tape-in extensions, hair extension scrunchies and ponytails, which shampoo to choose and what to avoid. The tips come from our hairdressers.

Why hair extensions need a gentler shampoo

Hair extensions get no natural moisture from the scalp, so they dry out faster than your own hair. Harsh sulfates strip away what little protection is left, and silicones form a film that weighs the hair down and can weaken tape tabs. That's why hair extensions should be washed with a mild shampoo and a conditioner that moisturises without weighing them down.

Which shampoo suits hair extensions?

Choose a shampoo and conditioner without harsh sulfates and silicones. Our shampoo bar for hair extensions, Strengthening Hair Bars, was developed by hairdressers for exactly that. They're a solid shampoo and conditioner with a mango and papaya scent:

• Rice protein and quinoa strengthen and add volume.
• Shea butter moisturises and protects without weighing the hair down.
• Coconut oil makes hair soft and shiny and reduces frizz.
• Free from harsh sulfates and silicones, so they work on tape-in extensions, synthetic hair and your own hair.

One bar lasts up to 80 washes, roughly the same as three bottles, and is completely plastic-free.

How to wash tape-in extensions

1. Wait 48 hours after the tape-ins are applied before washing for the first time, so the tabs have time to settle.
2. Brush through your hair before you wet it. Hold the hair at the tabs and brush from the ends up.
3. Wet your hair with lukewarm water, never hot. Heat can soften the tape.
4. Shampoo your scalp with straight strokes, not circles, so the wefts don't tangle. Let the lather run down through the lengths.
5. Conditioner on the lengths only. Start a hand's width below the tabs. Conditioner on the tape makes it let go.
6. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm or cold water until no residue is left.
7. Squeeze out the water with a towel, don't rub. Blow-dry the tabs first, on a low heat setting.

Wash 2–3 times a week. More often dries the hair out, and less often can let oil and product residue build up at the tabs.

How to wash a hair extension scrunchie or ponytail

Wash a hair extension scrunchie or ponytail extension separately, not on your head. Wash it when it feels heavy with styling products or has lost its shape, not after every wear.

1. Gently loosen any tangles with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb.
2. Fill the basin with lukewarm water and a little mild shampoo, for example the lather from a shampoo bar.
3. Dip and swish gently, without rubbing or twisting.
4. Rinse in clean water and work a little conditioner through the hair. Rinse again.
5. Squeeze out the water in a towel and shape the curls with your fingers.
6. Let it air dry on a towel or hanging up. Don't use a hairdryer.

How to use a shampoo bar

• Shampoo: wet the bar and massage it between your hands or directly against your scalp until you get a creamy lather.
• Conditioner: glide the bar over your lengths, or rub it between your hands and work it through. On tape-in extensions: lengths only, never at the tabs.
• Rinse with lukewarm or cold water for extra shine.
• Let the bar dry between washes, ideally on a soap dish with drainage holes, and it will last longer.

Common mistakes

• Conditioner, oil or hair masks at the tape tabs – the most common reason wefts come loose.
• Sleeping with wet hair – causes tangles at the tabs. Always blow-dry first.
• Hot water and high heat – dries the hair out and softens the tape. Always use heat protection when styling.
• Regular shampoo with harsh sulfates – makes extensions dry and rough much faster.
• Sleeping with a scrunchie or ponytail on – friction against the pillow causes tangles.

Care between washes

• Brush tape-in extensions morning and evening, from the ends up, with a soft brush.
• Braid your hair loosely before bed, and ideally sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase.
• Move the tape tabs up every 6–8 weeks. Read more about methods and prices in our guide hair extensions – prices and methods.
• Store scrunchies and ponytails in a bag so they don't tangle.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I wash tape-in extensions?

2–3 times a week is enough for most people. Wait 48 hours after application before the first wash.

Can I use regular shampoo on hair extensions?

You can, but shampoo with harsh sulfates dries extensions out faster, and silicones can weaken tape tabs. A mild shampoo without harsh sulfates and silicones, like our Hair Bars, makes the hair last longer.

Can I use conditioner on tape-in extensions?

Yes, but only on the lengths. Keep conditioner, oils and hair masks away from the tabs.

How do I wash synthetic hair extensions?

With lukewarm water, a mild shampoo and a little conditioner. Let them air dry and shape them with your fingers while they dry. We explain the care differences between synthetic and human hair in our guide synthetic or human hair extensions.

How long does a shampoo bar last?

Up to 80 washes, roughly the same as three bottles of liquid shampoo.

Questions about your hair extensions? Contact us and our hairdressers will answer.