Most problems with hair extensions don't arise during installation. They arise in the weeks afterwards – in the aftercare, in the timing of the move-up, or because the method never suited the hair in the first place. Not sure what suits you? Start with our overview of all hair extension methods.
The good news: every one of these problems has a solution, and almost all of them can be prevented next time.
1. The hair tangles at the bonds
The most common of all. Your own hair that has shed naturally from the scalp stays caught in the bond instead of falling out, and tangles together at the nape.
How to fix it:
- Brush two to three times a day with a brush designed for extensions, always from the ends upwards.
- Separate the bonds with your fingers every evening, especially during the first few weeks.
- Sleep with your hair in a loose braid.
- If the tangle has already hardened – don't pull at it. Book an appointment and we'll work it loose without sacrificing any hair.
2. The bonds are visible
Either they sit too close to the hairline and the parting, or the hair has grown out so the bond has moved down into view.
How to fix it: an installation should always leave a margin from the parting and the temples. If it has grown out, the answer is a move-up – not a new hairstyle to hide it.
As a guide, most methods need checking at roughly these intervals:
- Tape: about every one to two months
- Micro rings and micro weft: about every two to three months
- Keratin bonds: about every three to four months
- Hair weft and sew-in: about every two to three months
The exact interval depends on how fast your hair grows and how you care for it – we book your next appointment at the installation. If you want to be able to wear your hair up high, hair weft or a sew-in is often a better choice than individual bonds.
3. Your scalp itches
Itching usually comes from product residue, washing too rarely or bonds that sit too tight.
How to fix it:
- Wash more often than you think – hair extensions can handle, and need, regular washing.
- Use a mild shampoo without heavy silicones and rinse thoroughly.
- Massage your scalp with your fingertips, not your nails.
- If it itches from day one and feels tight: get in touch. Bonds should never hurt.
4. The extensions feel dry and dull
Hair extensions get no natural oils from the scalp. Whatever you don't give them, they never get.
How to fix it:
- Use a haircare range made to work on both your own hair and extensions. We recommend KIS Keratin Infusion System – the keratin rebuilds the hair strand from within and keeps the quality up throughout the whole wear period.
- Apply conditioner and masks from ear level down, never on the bonds.
- Always use heat protection before a flat iron or curling iron.
- A haircare bundle for damaged and chemically treated hair does more for longevity than anything else you buy.
5. It pulls and hurts
A new bond can feel unfamiliar for a day or so. Pain, pressure or headaches, however, are a sign that something needs adjusting.
How to fix it: contact the salon straight away. A bond that's too tight, or an installation that's too heavy for your own hair, should be corrected immediately – not worn out.
6. The bonds slip or come loose too early
Tape that comes loose after a couple of weeks is almost always down to products: oils, silicones and heavy masks dissolve the adhesive.
How to fix it: keep the top few centimetres free from oil and conditioner, dry your hair thoroughly at the roots and avoid sleeping with wet hair. If it still comes loose, tape may be the wrong method for your hair type – keratin bonds or micro rings hold better in fine, slippery hair.
7. Colour difference after a few weeks
Sun, chlorine and sulphate-based haircare draw colour out of your own hair and the extensions at different rates. After a couple of months the join can start to show.
How to fix it: a toner or gloss in the salon evens out the difference without causing damage. Colour-protecting haircare prevents it. Bleaching the extensions at home, however, is not a solution – it's usually the start of the next problem.
8. "My own hair got thinner"
This is the biggest worry, and it deserves to be taken seriously. Correctly done hair extensions don't damage your hair. Damage happens with installations that are too heavy, move-ups that are too late, or when hair is pulled out instead of being properly released.
How to fix it:
- Stick to the move-up and removal intervals. Don't wait until it has matted.
- Always let a trained technician remove the bonds.
- If your hair needs a rest for a while: give it one. Clip-on hair extensions give you length and volume in the meantime, with nothing permanently attached.
There's always a solution
We've solved most things over 17 years – tangles that looked hopeless, the wrong method on the wrong hair type, hair that needed a break. Often an appointment in the chair and the right haircare at home is all it takes.
In our webshop you'll find haircare bundles, the KIS range, brushes and accessories for hair extensions.
If you're unsure which method suits your hair, book a free consultation with us:
- Fairwithhair Odenplan, Norrtullsgatan 26A, Stockholm – Monday–Friday 10:00–19:00, Saturdays by arrangement. We work with keratin bonds, tape, hair weft, micro rings and sew-in.
- Fairwithhair Uppsala, Skolgatan 49 – by appointment, same prices as in Stockholm.
We go through your hair, your everyday life and how long you want to wear the extensions before anything is installed. That's where most problems are solved – before they arise.