The most common question we get about hair extensions isn't about colour or length – it's about washing. How often is right? The answer depends on your method, your scalp and your lifestyle. Here you'll find the intervals, the signs to watch for and the technique that keeps your bonds in good shape.
Washing intervals by method
- Tape: every five to seven days. Wait at least 48 hours after installation before your first wash.
- Keratin: every five to eight days. The bonds can handle water, but not scrubbing.
- Hair weft and micro weft: every seven to ten days. The stitching needs to dry thoroughly every time.
- Clip-in: after around ten to fifteen wears, or when the hair loses its softness and movement.
Signs you're washing too often
- The lengths feel rougher every week
- The hair tangles quickly, even when you brush it
- Your styling doesn't last as long as it used to
- The ends look dull in daylight
Signs you're not washing often enough
- Your scalp itches or feels tight
- The hair lies flat at the roots but is airy through the lengths
- The bonds feel sticky when you run your hand through your hair
- The smell lingers even after dry shampoo
Washing step by step
- Brush through your hair thoroughly before you wet it. Tangles that go into the shower come out twice as tight.
- Wet your hair with lukewarm water and let it run downwards, not against the bonds.
- Lather KIS KeraMax Schampo in your hand first, then apply it to the scalp.
- Massage with your fingertips in small circles. Never rub the lengths against each other.
- Rinse until the water runs completely clear and the hair no longer feels slippery.
- Apply conditioner or a hair mask from ear level down, leave it on and rinse out.
Drying matters just as much
A wet bond is a weak bond. Squeeze the water out with a microfibre towel – never wring. Then blow-dry the bonds first on low heat until they are completely dry, and let the lengths dry more on their own. If you have sewn-in hair, it is especially important that the stitching is dry before you put your hair up.
Three things to never do
- Sleep with wet or damp hair
- Wash with your head tipped down in the bath, where the hair tangles from every direction
- Put your hair up tightly right after washing
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to wash my extensions every time I wash my own hair?
No – and most people do the opposite. If you have removable hair such as clip-in, you can wash your own hair as usual and let the pieces rest. With a permanent method you wash everything at the same time, but less often than you did before your extensions.
Can I wash my hair leaning forward over the sink?
Avoid it. When the hair hangs forward, the bonds are pushed in the opposite direction to how they sit, and the lengths cross over each other. Stand upright in the shower and let the water follow the natural fall of the hair.
How do I wash clip-in extensions that aren't in my hair?
Place the pieces in lukewarm water with a little shampoo, gently run your fingers through the lengths and rinse. Let them air-dry flat on a towel, never hanging from the clips – the weight of wet hair stretches the wefts.
Need to restock at home? Our range of shampoos and hair masks is chosen to work on your own hair, extensions and wigs alike.