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Where will be the first place you go when the lockdown lifts and the world starts to open back up? According to a new survey by beauty treatment booking service Treatwell, beauty salons are in the top three destinations – and it’s not hard to see why. While we’ve tried our best to dye our own hair at home, as well as give ourselves a DIY facial, there’s no match for the professional treatments.
This has never been truer than in the case of hair extensions. Whether tapes or micro rings, there’s no chance of applying them yourself and the only thing to do is sit back and wait until salons open. However, if you already had extensions when the lockdown began, you’re probably starting to worry about what to do now that they’re growing out. We asked top celebrity hair dresser Patrick Wilson to share his ultimate tips to safely remove your hair extensions yourself (as well as how to keep hair in tip top condition ready for reapplication down the line).
“On average, and if you’re taking good care of them, tape-ins last up to four to eight weeks, and protein-bonded extensions last six to eight weeks,” says Patrick. “Some clients do keep them in for longer, depending on the rate their hair grows or aftercare, but you would usually know if your extensions are ready for a refit as they have grown away from the head and could start to slip when cleansing the hair or blow drying.”
While Patrick would always recommend contacting your hairdresser first, he assures us that help is still on hand, even in lockdown. “Most professionals are willing to give their clients advice during these hard times and they will be able to advise you on the best removal method for you and your hair extensions. Plus, I personally feel like this is a great time to give your hair a break from the added length.”
Here’s Patricks step-by-step guide to removing every type of extensions, from micro rings to tapes.
HOW TO REMOVE MICRO RING EXTESIONS
“To remove micro rings you will need a tail comb, section clips and micro ring extension pliers,” he says. “Starting from the nape of the neck start the removal row by row, using the pliers to take hold of the ring and slowly squeeze in the opposite direction to the way it was flattened. Try squeezing lightly at first and only increase the pressure if the ring doesn’t loosen. Once the ring has widened, the extensions will release and should slide out easily.”
“Where the extensions have been worn, you may notice a little cluster of old hair and product residue – do not worry this is completely normal,” he assures. “However, it is important that you comb this away so that you can thoroughly cleanse your hair. Using the tail of your pintail comb or your fingers, slowly prise apart the hair loosening the tangle. Do not go straight in with the comb and try to brush it out as this will cause unnecessary tension and remember that on average we lose around 50/100 hairs a day so please don’t be alarmed by the amounted hairs in the cluster – it is completely normal.”
HOW TO REMOVE TAPE EXTENSIONS
“Spritz the tape bonds with bond remover and allow the solution to slide in-between the bonds and sit for one minute,” explains Patrick. “Slowly start peeling back the tape.”
A helpful tip from Patrick is to use the tail of a tail comb to slide in between the wefts. “The remover will release the two bonds and they will slip right out. To properly remove tape in extensions you will not need to pull them, this will cause damage. Simply continue to drench the tabs and add more remover and allow the remover to seep between the bonds. This will cause the adhesive to break down.”
HOW TO REMOVE WEAVE EXTENSIONS
“For this you will definitely need a second pair of hands – you can’t remove these on your own,” warns Patrick. You will also need scissors, section clips and a comb. “Feel for the section where the track has been sewn in and section away the surrounding hair with a clip. Using your scissors, carefully cut the thread attaching the weave to the braid.
According to Patrick, it is best to cut the straight length of weave thread between each crisscross. “Once you have cut the thread, use your pin tail comb to slowly ease away the thread. The weft should easily come away from the braid and then the next step is to remove the braid. You should notice some synthetic hair that your hairdresser has added into the braid to support your natural hair and release tension. So again don’t be alarmed when this added hair falls out of the braid, it’s not your natural hair.”
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