In a rush and need your hair extensions dry ASAP? Or maybe you've got a little more time on your hands, but you're at a loss for how to go about it. Either way, you’re in the right place. This article goes through exactly what you need to know for drying your extensions without causing harm or reducing their longevity. We've broken this process down step-by-step so you can easily keep your hair looking flawless without putting them at risk of damage.
Key Takeaways
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No matter which way you look at it, you should always dry your hair extensions before you use them. Blow drying with a low or medium heat setting and air drying in a ventilated area are the best ways to maintain your extension's quality and longevity.
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Investing in specialized tools can make a huge difference towards minimizing damage and preserving the health of your extension, both throughout the drying process and after. For example, we love the Dyson Supersonic™ hair dryer, as it dries hair fast without using extreme heat.
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Not only should you avoid high heat when drying, but a heat protection spray can go a long way to prevent heat damage and moisture retention. And we always recommend handling your extensions gently, no matter if they're clip-ins, weaves, or tape-ins.
Becoming Familiar with Drying Your Hair Extensions
You probably already know that the longevity and appearance of your hair extensions rely heavily on the right care. But have you considered just how crucial the correct drying methods are to keep your hair looking great? From air drying to blow drying, each method has its own benefits and processes, and understanding how to do each one well can make all the difference.
Remy hair extensions can be be safely blow dried just like your natural hair. However, if you're unfamiliar with a blow dryer, or if you want to use a more organic method, air drying your hair extensions can be a great solution. Many people use a hybrid approach, using each technique as and when it makes sense. At the end of the day, it's all about understanding what method works for you in your routine. Let's take a look at the best ways to use each technique.
Blow Drying Essentials for Extensions
Blow drying is a popular method for drying hair extensions for a reason - it’s fast, efficient, and when done correctly, can leave your extensions looking sleek and shiny. But there is an art to it! Using the right heat setting is key, where a medium heat will strike a perfect balance between efficient drying and minimizing the risk of heat damage to your extensions. If you have a little more time on hand, using the low heat setting can work well, too, while adding that extra bit of protection to your hair.
And where you start matters too! Similar to how you blow dry your natural hair, we recommend to start blow drying from the roots of your extensions and work your way down. This will make sure that the installation stays secure if your extensions are semi-permanent, and the heat will be evenly distributed along the length of your extensions helping your extensions to dry faster.
Air Drying: The OG in Hair Extension Care
Air drying has been a long-time favorite of hair extension owners and is considered the best method for drying clip-in hair extensions. People love this technique because it's a gentle process that helps to preserve the quality and softness of their extensions, ultimately extending their lifespan. Keep in mind, though, that this procedure isn’t as straightforward as just washing your extensions and hanging them up to dry. There are steps you should follow which we'll go through below.
After washing your extensions, they should be gently detangled and laid out to dry in a warm and well-ventilated area for about 24 hours. If you can, we suggest letting them air dry overnight, as this can create natural-looking textures that will blend seamlessly with your own hair. But remember, while air-drying is one of the best for extensions, please take the time to take go about it the right way so you can avoid potential issues such as tangling or matting.
Towel Drying: More Important Than You Think
Before you reach for that blow dryer or even let your extensions air dry, there is one crucial step you need to take: towel-drying. Proper towel drying is more than just a quick pat down; it’s an essential step that removes excess water and minimizes the amount of heat required later on.
You can start by gently squeezing your hair extensions with a towel, but please avoid rubbing or pulling your extensions to prevent causing any damage, tangling, or matting. Absorbing as much moisture as possible will allow your hair extensions to dry faster, which will keeps them in great shape for longer.
Choosing the Right Tools for Drying Hair Extensions
Take it from us - choosing the right tools to dry your hair extensions is well worth the investment. From hair dryers to brushes, every piece has a role to play in the drying process and can make a world of difference in the health and longevity of your extensions.
With the amount of hair tools out there, though, how can you determine which ones will work the best for your extensions? Don’t worry, friend... we’ve got you covered. We've made a list of the best hair dryers and brushes designed specifically for hair extensions.
The Best Hair Dryer for Your Extensions
When it comes to drying your hair extensions, not all hair dryers will give the results you're looking for. The best hair dryers for extensions should offer fast-drying capabilities, moisture-lock conditioners, and an adaptability to various hair types to make sure that your extensions stay in good shape.
One of the hair dryers we love top is the Dyson Supersonic™, known for its rapid drying without excessive heat, heat control, and preserving the shine of hair extensions.
Another awesome hair dryer is the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium which uses ionic technology to diminish frizz. This hair dryer also speeds up drying safely and works well with thick and coarse hair—making it the perfect tool for hair extension upkeep.
The Brushes and Combs You Should Be Using
While getting your hair extensions dry is a milestone in itself, keeping them free from tangles is just as important. And that, my friend, is where brushes and combs come in. But please, Foxies, don't just pull any old brush or comb out and begin brushing. 😱
Instead, you both need and deserve ones that are designed for hair extensions.
Here are some brushes that we recommend:
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Wet brushes, which have flexible bristles designed to handle wet hair extensions without causing damage or excessive pulling.
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Detangle brushes with long, firm bristles and soft tips, which are great for both wet and dry hair extensions, minimizing breakage and damage.
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Bamboo paddle brushes, which are gentle on hair extensions and help to reduce frizz and improve scalp circulation and hair shine.
How to Safely Blow Dry Hair Extensions
So now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s dive straight into how to blow dry your hair extensions. We're here to walk you through the entire process: from preparing your extensions straight through to the final touches.
Prepping with Heat Protectant
Prior to blow drying, you'll need to prepare your hair extensions. And, yes Foxies, that starts with a heat protectant spray. A heat protectant spray is so important for hair health as it creates a barrier on your hair extensions, minimizing heat penetration and reducing the risk of damage and breakage.
Applying the heat protection spray is simple - just spray it evenly across your extensions, focusing especially on the ends where damage is most likely to occur. After applying this product, you’re now ready to get started with drying. Start with the lowest heat setting on your dryer, working your way up to medium if the heat isn't too high.
Using a Round Brush for Natural Volume
A round brush is one of the best tools for blow drying extensions and works for most hair types. Our second choice is a paddle brush, which can also help to create volume and give your hair a fuller and more styled appearance.
To make things go smoothly, you'll need to start from the roots and work your way down to the tips in a smooth downward motion. This will not only help you to achieve a smooth finish but will also help spread the heat evenly along the length of your extensions.
The Finishing Touches ✨
Now that you’ve finished blow drying, your hair extensions will need to cool down a bit. This will help to set your hairstyle and keep it looking good for the rest of the day. Now that your extensions are cool, give them a gentle brush to put any stray hairs back in place. If you want to use any additional styling tools, just remember that it’s crucial to wait until the extensions are completely cool before using them. This prevents any potential damage and keep your hair looking sleek. 💅
Taking Care of Clip-In Hair Extensions When Drying
People love Foxy Hair clip-in extensions for many reasons, including their convenience and versatility. But while they come with a whole host of benefits, they need do some special attention during the drying process to keep them on point. More specifically, you'll need to treat your clip-ins delicately while allowing them to air dry. This simple step can do wonders to enhance the lifespan of your clip-ins, keeping them in optimal condition longer.
Partially Air Dry Before Styling
One easy strategy that we just love is to let your clip-in hair extensions partially air dry before you use any styling tools. This will help your extensions to last longer by limiting any damage and keep them looking their best. After all—the less heat you apply, the healthier your extensions will be. 🥰
Handling Clip-Ins with Extra Care
While clip-in hair extensions are loved for their versatility and accessiblity, they do need some extra care during and after the drying process. For example, they must be fully dried before they are stored so to maintain their quality and prevent any moisture-related issues.
As for after drying, clip-ins should always be gently brushed out to make sure they stay free of tangles. When it's time to store them, make sure to place them back in their original box or a satin-silk lined storage pouch to maintain their shape and texture. Remember, the ideal environment for clip-in hair extensions is a cool, dry place to prevent any damage from heat or humidity.
Quick Tips to Dry Hair Extensions Quickly
But what about if you're in a hurry and need to dry your hair extensions ASAP? We've got you covered with some quick tips that'll help to speed up the drying process—without compromising the health of your extensions.
So from squeezing out excess water with a towel to applying a leave-in treatment, we're here to help you save time and keep your extensions looking fabulous.
Using the Lowest Heat Setting
While using a hair dryer on your hair extensions is a quick and effective way to get them ready to go, consistently using one can cause some damage. We at Foxy Hair like to find solutions for every hair challenge, and one way we do this is by using the lowest heat setting. Using this setting can help to prevent damage to your extensions while still allowing for efficient drying.
So remember, Foxies, we recommend a low heat setting of 120C/250F for styling your hair extensions, as it helps to extend their lifespan due to the absence of nutrients from the scalp.
Removing Knots Beforehand
Pro tip: before you start the drying process, make sure to comb your hair out to smooth out any knots, which will help to expedite the drying process and also to prevent and tangling later on.
You can do this by using a hair extension brush on each weft to gently detangle after washing. Just this simple step alone can save you a lot of time and prevent unnecessary damage to your extensions.
Preserving Temporary Hair Extensions: The Do's and Don'ts
While temporary hair extensions, such as tape-ins and weaves, offer a quick and easy way to change up your look, they still need love just like other hair extension types. In fact, these extensions even need specific drying techniques to keep them looking fresh.
From avoiding hot water rinses to fully drying roots and bonds, check our these do’s and don’ts so you can keep your temporary hair extensions in top shape.
Avoid Hot Water Rinse
Hot water may feel great on your body, but it’s not that great for your hair extensions. In fact, excessive heat from hot water can actually weaken the hair extension bonds, leading to shedding and reducing their lifespan.
Instead, we recommend to use lukewarm water when rinsing your hair extensions, as this helps to preserve their integrity and keep them in optimal condition and shine.
How to Fully Dry Roots and Bonds
A critical part of drying hair extensions is making sure that the roots and bonds are completely dry. This is crucial to prevent issues like bacterial growth or weft rot.
To do this, start by directing the blow dryer at the roots first. This will preserve the bond during the drying process and prevent any potential damage.
Summary
We’ve covered a lot of ground today, from looking at how to master the art of drying hair extensions, selecting the right tools, and understanding the do’s and don’ts. Remember—above all, the key to beautiful, long-lasting hair extensions lies in the care and handling you give it. With the right techniques, products, and attention to detail, your hair extensions will not only look fab but also last longer.
So go ahead, show your hair extensions the love they deserve! We promise it's worth it. 🦊
Frequently Asked Questions
How to wash hair with extensions?
To wash your natural hair and extensions together, start by brushing them out and then apply shampoo followed by a nourishing hair mask before you dry. We suggest air drying and combing your hair for best results.
How can I make my extensions silky again?
Conditioning is key to make your extensions silky again, so use one every time you wash them and consider deep conditioning once a week to restore any lost moisture. Regular conditioning and deep treatments can even help to improve the texture of your extensions and make them silky.
How long do hair extensions take to dry?
It depends! Hair extensions can take anywhere from several hours to overnight, in order to air dry fully. Before you start, it's best to squeeze out excess water and plan accordingly for the drying time.
What kind of brush should I use for my hair extensions?
You should always use wet brushes with flexible bristles for your hair extensions as they can handle wet hair without causing damage or excessive pulling.
How can I prevent my hair extensions from tangling when drying?
To prevent tangling when drying your hair extensions, be sure to brush each weft with a brush made specifically for hair extensions. Also make sure you brush before drying which is a gentle way to detangle and avoid knots.
