Whether you’re rocking wigs or other hair extensions, seeing trails of loose, shed hair is everyone’s worst nightmare. The truth is, a little shedding is completely normal with human hair extensions, but when your hair starts to thin out with every wear, there is likely something wrong. Most times, the culprit behind the crazy shedding is your maintenance routine, not the hair. Not sure what you’re doing wrong? In this article, we’ll break things down and highlight some of the biggest mistakes that cause excessive shedding on hair extensions. Plus, we’ll reveal our expert-approved tips for avoiding it completely. Keep scrolling to see our top tips.
1. Detangling Incorrectly
Improper detangling is one of the biggest causes of shedding. Human hair extensions deserve the same amount of care and gentle touch you give your natural hair if you want them to remain in good shape. Detangling with too much force will pull hair out from its roots and result in a lot of shedding. The same thing happens when you detangle from the roots instead of starting from the ends first.
2. Using Harsh Products
If you’re using harsh shampoos and hair sprays that dry out your hair, it can make the extensions brittle, dry, and more prone to shedding. Your extensions may not be growing directly from your scalp, but they still react the same way to the wrong products.
3. Excessive Heat Styling
When you’re styling wigs and extensions, it can be very easy to want to reach for a flat iron or curling iron all the time. After all, it's not real hair, so there’s no way it can get damaged, right? Wrong! Extensions can indeed withstand a little more heat than your real hair, but overdoing it will eventually make them weak, dry, and cause them to lose their elasticity. This will make it easy for the hair to shed every time you comb it.
4. Improper Storage
If you’re the type that throws your wig anywhere in your house, you might be exposing it to surfaces that cause friction on the individual strands. This unchecked friction can weaken the hair from its roots and result in excessive shedding. So, it is best to store your hair either on a wig stand or in a storage box.
5. Manipulating Wet Hair
Hair extensions are weakest when they are soaking wet, so if you try to detangle your hair in this state, it is more likely to shed—especially if you’re not being gentle.
How To Avoid Shedding On Hair Extensions
1. Detangle Gently
Use a wide-tooth comb when detangling your hair extensions. This is especially important if the hair has an afro texture. You can also use a brush, but be sure to start from the ends and gently work your way to the roots. To properly remove all knots and tangles, it is best to work in small sections. Additionally, avoid combing the hair when it is fully wet, as wet hair is very fragile and more prone to breakage. Detangle your hair only when it is damp to avoid shedding.
2. Use Sulfate And Paraben-Free Products
The best way to maintain the look and feel of your hair extensions is to use gentle sulfate-free products. Use a sulfate-free shampoo when washing, or opt for a moisturising conditioner to co-wash instead.
3. Protect Your Hair Before Bed
Nighttime protection is very important if you wear your hair extensions and wigs to bed. The friction from the cotton fabric of most bedding can weaken the hair strands and cause shedding, so it is best to cover your hair with a satin bonnet before going to bed. Make sure your hair is properly tied up and secure before covering it with our satin bonnet. Doing this will not only help prevent shedding, but it will also ensure your hair remains smooth and frizz-free every morning.
4. Do A Reset Wash After Multiple Wears
After about 10-12 wears, your hair is likely going to have a buildup of sweat and products. To avoid matting that can result in shedding, it is important to do a reset wash. To do this, soak the hair in a mixture of lukewarm water and shampoo, then gently finger detangle before rinsing and following up with a deep conditioner. A deep conditioner will help restore some moisture to the hair, but be sure to only use a small amount; too much can weigh down the hair and leave it limp. After rinsing out the conditioner, squeeze out all the excess liquid and apply some leave-in conditioner or hair serum.
5. Keep The Hair Moisturised
Keeping your extensions moisturised is very important for preventing shedding. Apply a lightweight leave-in conditioner 1–2 times a week to keep your extensions moisturised, and finish with a little bit of hair oil to seal in the moisture. This will keep the strands soft and manageable while preventing shedding. If your wig or hair extension is extremely dry and brittle, you can also treat it with a silicon mix to restore the softness and moisture of the hair. Before applying the silicon mix, make sure the hair is washed, then let it sit in the silicon mixture for 2–3 hours before rinsing thoroughly.
Excessive shedding doesn’t always mean your hair extensions are ruined—it just means your routine needs a quick upgrade. Additionally, getting the right hair is equally important because if your extension is not made from 100% quality human hair, it will shed regardless of how good your maintenance is. So be sure to grab our human hair wigs and extensions, which are made from 100% human hair that is ethically sourced and made to last over a year. By making these simple tweaks to your daily maintenance and investing in quality hair, you can protect your favourite pieces and keep them looking as good as the day you bought them.