Oh, extensions are beautiful things! They can make us have long, gorgeous hair instantly, and some methods give us up to four months of big, glamorous hair!
However, all good things must end, and there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. It’s time to get these things out of your head!
But what if you’re traveling, still in lockdown, or your hairdresser is unavailable?
Don’t worry! I can help!
My name is Bianca, and I’ve been wearing extensions in various methods for about 15 years. I’ve also learned how to install and remove extensions in multiple ways, as when you are constantly plane-hopping, you have to learn how to DIY a few necessary beauty regimes.
This article will give you the low down on removing your extensions safely without damaging your natural hair.
Sound good? Keep reading to get your head back to extension-free!
Best Methods to Remove Hair Extensions (with Detailed Steps)
Here are the detailed steps of my most recommended methods to remove hair extensions
IMPORTANT NOTE: Regardless of which extension method you have, the first steps will always be to brush your hair neatly and section your hair out of the way with either hairbands or sectioning clips.
Method 1: Removing Bonded Extensions
Get these tools prepared before you start to remove your bonds:
Tools Needed
- Keratin Bond Remover
- Hair Extensions Pliers (the shorter jaw pliers are best)
- Comb
Detailed Steps
Follow the steps below, and you will remove your keratin bonds easily:
Step 1: Take one keratin bond and apply a few drops of bond remover to it.
Step 2: Gently crush the keratin bond with the pliers. Use only enough force to break the bond. This video will help you understand how much force to use.
Step 3: Give a small, gentle tug, and the bond should easily slide out. Otherwise, repeat steps 1 and 2 again.
Step 4: Remove any remaining keratin by combing the hair once the bond is out.
Method 2: Removing Glued In Extensions
Get these tools prepared before your weft removal:
Tools Needed
- Bond glue remover (some people use rubbing alcohol)
- Conditioner
- Comb
Detailed Steps
Follow the steps below, and you easily remove your wefts:
Step 1: put the bond glue remover on all your bonds, followed by the conditioner. You can mix these together in advance if you like. Make sure to do both sides of the weft. This video will help you see how to do it quickly.
Step 2: Once you have done all the wefts, wait for about 20 to 30 minutes.
Step 3: Starting at one side of the first weft, peel the weft gently from your hair. If it resists, apply more bond glue remover and wait another 10 minutes.
Step 4: Once all the wefts are out, comb through your hair and comb any remaining glue.
Method 3: Removing Micro Ring or I-Tip Extensions
Get these tools prepared before removing your micro rings or I-Tips:
Tools Needed
- Pliers
Detailed Steps
Take the bond in one hand and the pliers in the other. Squeeze the ring like this video here; then, the hair should easily come out, and you can remove the ring without damage.
Method 4: Removing Tape In Extensions
Get these tools prepared before removing your tape extensions:
Tools Needed
- Bond remover (spray bottle is best)
- Comb
Detailed Steps
Follow the steps below, and you will remove your tape in extensions easily:
Step 1: Spray the bond remover liberally onto each and every bond, then wait 20 minutes.
Step 2: The bonds should be soft by now, and it should be easy to pull them apart like in this video.
Step 3: After all bonds are removed, spray bond remover onto any glue clumps remaining. After 10 minutes, gently comb the glue out. If they resist, spray more bond remover and try again.
Method 5: Clip-Ins
Removing your clip in extensions is pretty simple.
Staring from the end of each weft, open the clips, then softly move the clip away from the hair before moving on to the next one. Don’t tug your hair and scalp; be gentle when removing the clips as they can damage the hair if not manipulated gently.
FAQs
Check out the below to get some helpful answers to removing your hair extensions safely.
How Can I Remove Hair Extensions Without Damaging My Hair?
- Removing hair extensions incorrectly is the number one way they can damage your hair and scalp (followed closely by incorrectly installing hair extensions). Regardless of the method of extension and who is removing them, you should never feel your hair being tugged or yanked. This can damage your natural hair, scalp, and even bald patches.
- If your extension feels stuck, add some more remover and wait a little longer. If you’re using pliers, gently wiggle the pliers while applying pressure to the bond or the ring and give a gentle, little tug. Never yank.
How Can I Remove Hair Extensions Without Bond Remover
When you want to break down bonds, so they become soft, you can either use an oil, a cream or a chemical to do that.
- You can use oils that include baby oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, olive oil, mineral oil, and even cooking oil. Oils take a bit longer to break the bonds down, which means this method will require patience.
- Creams that you can use include conditioner and aqueous cream. This method takes even longer than oils, so will require extra patience.
- You can use chemicals such as rubbing alcohol and nail polish remover with acetone.
Use the same method as you normally would. However, breaking the tape in or glue bonds down with oils and creams will take a little longer.
Final Words
Removing your hair extensions at home doesn’t have to be challenging, damaging to your natural hair, or even expensive.
It may take a little more time, but the plus point is that you can binge-watch your favorite Netflix series while you do it and sit in your PJs while you remove your own hair extensions (I’m letting you in on my exact method here!).
Do you have any questions about removing your hair extensions that I can answer?
Did you try any of these methods?
Let me know in the comments below!