Whether you have already decided to buy hair extensions or not, there are a few factors that you should know. Yes, we are talking about the lifespan of hair extensions. Many of the questions we get from our customers are related to this topic because the longevity of extensions has a big role in the decision-making process of buying new hair.
It is only logical that women want to purchase a product that they can wear and enjoy for months to come. Unfortunately, dishonest sellers and low-quality brands often mislead shoppers. As a result, some women even doubt the quality of all hair extensions.
That’s perfectly understandable. That’s why we have decided to publish a detailed article covering the lifetime of all hair extensions. How long do tape-in hair extensions last? What about clip-ins? Let’s cover all fusion types and, in the end, learn how to make hair extensions last even longer!
Quick Access
– How Long Do Tape-In Extensions Last?
– How Long Do Clip-in Hair Extensions Last?
– How Long Do Cold Fusion Hair Extensions Last?
– How Long Do Hot Fusion Hair Extensions Last?
– How Long Do Weft Hair Extensions Last?
– How Long Do Flip-in Style Hair Extensions Last?
1 How Long Do Hair Extensions Last?
The average quality human hair extensions last 3 to 6 months, while synthetic hair extensions last 1 to 2 months. Depending on hair care and fusion type, you can extend the extension’s lifespan by up to 12 months.
Now, while we can give you general timeframes for the lifetime of hair extensions, far more factors contribute to your strand’s health. For better estimates, check hair extension lifetime statistics grouped by fusion type.
How Many Washes Do Hair Extensions Last?
For further analysis, let’s group hair extensions by price and the number of washes.
- Cheap Hair Extensions: 1 to 3 washes
- Regular Hair Extensions: 5 to 15 washes
- Remy Hair Extensions: 10 to 30 washes
- Premium Remy Extensions: 20 to 40 washes
- Virgin Hair Extensions: 60 to 100 washes
Keeping that in mind, let’s dive deeper into each fusion type.
How Long Do Tape-In Extensions Last?
The average lifespan of tape-in human hair extensions is 3 to 5 months. This assumes that you are using higher-quality Remy human hair. This might not sound much, but these are today’s averages, for better or worse.
However, unlike other fusion types, tape-in hair extensions will stay intact for months. In other words, the shorter lifespan is due to constant hair washing, drying, curling, and other procedures. Since these extensions are attached using tape, which may peel off, get some double-sided tape can be bought here with free shipping. It will allow you to re-attach and re-apply extensions when needed. Thas is a cool trick because it allows you to extend your extensions’ life significantly.
How Long Do Clip-in Hair Extensions Last?
When properly taken care of, Remy quality clip-in extensions will last from 9 to 12 months. This assumes that a buyer follows all the maintenance instructions detailed below. That’s why we always stress the importance of proper hair care.
Synthetic clip-in extensions have an average lifespan of around two years, mainly because girls don’t wear them more than twice per quarter. For women who use human hair clip-in extensions every single day, the average lifespan is around 60% less and goes to four months.
How Long Do Cold Fusion Hair Extensions Last?
The human hair of the micro ring loop and i-tip hair extensions will last 3 to 6 months. However, depending on the speed of hair growth, your stylist will have to move strands higher up every six to eight weeks.
The best thing about cold fusion hair extensions is how easy they are to refit. You can do it at home in less than 20 minutes. You should never use syntenic extensions of this type unless you don’t want to avoid hair damage or an itchy scalp.
How Long Do Hot Fusion Hair Extensions Last?
Keratin hair extensions last 4 to 6 months, while the glue-in u-tip strand lasts 2 to 3 months. Manufacturers often use higher-quality hair with keratin tips. In other words, glue-in hair is targeted at the cheapest buyers, hence its shorter lifespan.
Synthetic and low-quality extensions won’t last more than a month. We recommend that you avoid those if you need something permanent. It’s important to note that although Remy strands, like those from AiryHair, can last up to six months and more, that doesn’t mean you can wear them continually. It’s a method where your hairstylist must refit strands every month or so.
How Long Do Weft Hair Extensions Last?
These extensions are made of Brazilian hair and last 6 to 9 months. Since wefts can be transformed into any given type, this also applies to sewn-in hair. While women might be appreciative of higher-quality hair (these are averages, after all), refitting hair is troublesome.
Our general recommendation is for tape-in or clip-in hair extensions, depending on your fusion preference. We have a full hair extension buying guide that dives deeper into the fusion topic.
How Long Do Flip-in Style Hair Extensions Last?
Just like clip-ins, it depends on how often your wear the extensions and how much you care for them. With everyday use and correct maintenance, you can expect your flip-in-style hair extensions to last eight months or more.
Occasional use extends that timeframe significantly. Of course, this applies only to human hair extensions; synthetic ones can last for around twenty wears.
2 How to Extend the Lifespan of Hair Extensions?
If you have ever worn any type of hair extension, you know how awesome they are. Extra inches of hair, gorgeous fullness and density, and stunning colors are just some of its amazing features. Most people cannot afford to buy new wefts every couple of weeks, so it’s understandable to want to get as much life out of them as possible.
The longevity of any type of extension is determined by the condition they’re in. Many of you have probably seen girls who don’t take care of their new strands at all, so it all looks like a huge, tangled mess. In that case, the days are numbered, and those extensions will soon become unwearable. Not only that, but damaged extensions are definitely not a pretty sight, and it’s better to take them off simply.
So, if you’re wondering how to make hair extensions last for a long time and get the most out of them, read on. By applying these simple tips, you can extend the life of your extensions for at least a month or two, if not more.
Avoid Synthetic Hair
When discussing the longevity of extensions, we first need to discuss different hair types because that is what determines it. Synthetic and real human hair are completely different and have different expected lifespans. As you might already know, synthetic hair is not known for its longevity and quality.
It doesn’t look as good in the first place, but then it becomes even worse when it tangles and becomes frizzy. If you have extensions made out synthetic hair, don’t expect to wear them for more than few weeks.
Choose the Right Extension Type
Not all types of extensions last the same because some are more prone to damage because of the application method than others. Pre-bonded types like I-tips and tape-in have a good lifespan of about four to six months. However, because of the glue used, they are more prone to tangling near the roots, which shortens their life expectancy.
Also, both are semi-permanent methods that you don’t take off daily, contributing to that. Microring extensions also have a decent lifespan of about six months, but like pre-bonded types, they must be refitted regularly.
The extension type that has proven to last the longest is clip-in. It is no wonder it is still the most popular method. Clip-in wefts are also extremely simple to put on and maintain, making them great for beginners and advanced users alike.
Install Correctly
The correct application also influences how long extensions last. Incorrect installation can cause many problems. First, the wefts or strands might fall off or detach, and nobody wants that. It can also create friction, which makes the tangling more severe, and you end up with an unusable, tangled mess.
Be very careful how you install the extensions, especially when using the hot fusion method, which involves glue and heat. If it’s not done right, the glue will damage the extensions. If you are not confident in installing the extensions yourself, contact a hair professional and have it done at a salon.
Reinstall Semi-permanent Extensions Regularly
Semi-permanent extensions require regular refitting every 4 weeks. Don’t forget to do that. Otherwise, extensions will tangle up. This is because you attach wefts near the roots. Meaning that when hair grows, it’s moved further down which over time increases the possibility of breakage. If you want to get the most out of your new strands, move them up regularly, and don’t wait too long to do so.
Brush Often
That is a key point: something as simple as brushing can significantly extend the life of any extensions. The main cause of damage to hair is tangling, matting, and frizz. It can kill extensions very quickly and make them look horrible and unusable. Brushing daily gets rid of tangles easily and keeps the extensions in a pristine condition.
Wash Carefully
Washing doesn’t have to be done that often when it comes to extensions, but it does need to be done with care and patience. You can wash non-permanent wefts like clip-in or flip-in separately, and it’s quite easy to do. Semi-permanent extensions are washed along with natural hair since they can’t be taken off.
With high-quality extensions, this is less of an issue; see the video above.
Don’t Overuse Hot Tools
Hot tools like a flat iron or curler also reduce the lifespan of extensions. Although those tools are great for styling and blending the hair with the extensions, heat can damage strands over time. Avoid using hot tools every day, and remember to spray some heat protectant before.
We know everybody is usually in a hurry after they wash their hair! Women want it dry as quickly as possible. A blow dryer is a perfect tool for that. However,However, we advise you to minimize its use if you wear extensions. Frequent exposure to heat may damage the extensions over time and shorten their lifespan.
Do you want to do everything in your power to keep the hair flawless and wearable for a long time? Then, stay away from the blow dryer and instead dry your tresses naturally.
Avoid Hair Dyes
Although you can dye and bleach AiryHair extensions, we recommend that you skip them if you want to be able to wear hair for more than three months.
Hair dyes, and bleach especially, contain powerful chemicals that dry out the hair and often cause breakage and thinness. We know that changing the shade of your extensions is fun, but be aware of the possible consequences.
Conclusion
While hair extensions can last around 3 to 12 months, it does not mean that they won’t be damaged within the first month. A cause of constant over-drying, hair straightening using bad temperatures, not brushing, and so on. Some of our clients have extended the hair extensions lifespan by a few months, making a total closer to 8 months. It’s all up to you. We can only try to make the best extensions possible, but care and maintenance are your jobs and very important ones.
For our tape-in extensions prices, please visit our tape-in page.
Got any other tips to add? Please let us know in the comments below.
