Can You Swim With Hair Extensions? A Complete Guide

Summer is here and it’s time to hit the pools, beaches, and water parks! But if you wear hair extensions, you may be wondering – can I swim with them or will I damage my hair?

The good news is, with the proper precautions, you can safely swim with extensions for limited periods of time. While it’s best to remove tape-in and bonded extensions before swimming, high-quality clip-ins and wig hairpieces can handle occasional water exposure if cared for properly.

Here is a complete guide on swimming with different types of hair extensions, risks to be aware of, tips to prevent damage, and how to care for them before and after your swim.

Can You Swim With Clip-In Extensions?

Clip-in hair extensions are the easiest type to swim with since they are designed to be temporarily attached and removed daily. Here are tips for swimming with clip-ins:

Always detangle the hair thoroughly before swimming to prevent tangled messes. Use a wide-tooth comb or wet brush.
Secure the clips tightly so they don’t loosen in the water. Check for loose clips periodically.
Put hair up in a protective style like a bun or braid to keep the hair contained and minimize frizz.
Rinse hair with fresh water before and after swimming to prevent chlorine and salt absorption.
Wash with a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner immediately after swimming.
Let the extensions air dry naturally – avoid heat styling tools until completely dry.
Use a leave-in conditioner to restore moisture after swimming.
Remove the hair at night and give your natural hair a break.

Swimming briefly with high-quality clip-in extensions will not damage them, but regular, prolonged exposure to pool and saltwater can dry out the hair over time leading to brittleness, frizz, and discoloration.

Test a small piece if concerned about color-treated extensions bleeding or fading in water. And always detach the hair fully at night to avoid tangling and allow your natural hair and scalp to breathe.

Can You Swim With Tape-In or Bonded Extensions?

Tape-in extensions and various bonded extensions (such as keratin bonds, shrinkies, micro beads, etc) are not designed to be submerged in water. The adhesives and bonds that attach them can be compromised by exposure to moisture. However, very brief contact with water, such as light rain or splashing, will not immediately ruin the bonds.

Here are tips if you end up getting your bonded extensions wet:

Wear a tight swim cap to minimize direct water exposure on the bonds as much as possible.
Rinse with fresh water after swimming to remove chlorine or saltwater.
Shampoo and condition the extensions gently, avoiding the bonds.
Allow to fully air dry – do not blow dry or use hot tools.
Do not brush or comb until completely dry to avoid pulling on the bonds.
Check the bond points and attachments to ensure they are still secure. Reapply any loose tape or adhesive.
Avoid swimming again until bonds are completely dry and secure.

The biggest risks of swimming with bonded extensions are the adhesives loosening prematurely from saturation and increased risk of tangling which can pull on the bonds. Limit water exposure to a minimum with these types of permanent extensions.

Can You Swim With A Lace Front Wig?

Swimming while wearing a lace front wig is possible, but not recommended for the wig’s longevity. Lace frontals are delicate and expensive. To minimize damage, consider these precautions:

Secure wig adhesive, clips, combs tightly so the wig stays firmly in place.
Add extra wig adhesive around perimeter if concerned about frontal lifting while submerged.
Consider wearing a swim cap over the wig for extra security.
Limit time fully submerged to avoid saturated lace. 10-15 minutes max recommended.
Rinse with cool fresh water after swimming.
Finger detangle only after swimming to avoid pulling on wet knots.
Let the wig dry fully before brushing and restyling. Air dry is best.
Use a wig revitalizing spray after to restore style and shine.

While an occasional brief dip will likely not ruin a lace front wig, repeated exposure to moisture can cause the lace to overstretch and lose integrity over time. Take precautions to keep the wig secure while swimming.

The Risks of Swimming With Hair Extensions

While well-made hair extensions can occasionally get wet with limited damage, frequent swimming does carry risks you should be aware of:

Chlorine and saltwater damage: The porosity of hair extensions makes them prone to dryness. Chemicals and minerals in pools and saltwater can cause dry, brittle, frizzy hair over time.
Color fading: Repeated exposure to sun, chlorine, and saltwater can cause color-treated extensions to fade and develop brassiness.
Bond deterioration: Adhesives and attachments on bonded extensions can weaken or loosen prematurely due to moisture saturation.
Tangling: Wet hair becomes prone to knots and tangles which can pull on bonds. Detangle gently while wet.
Matting: Rubbing against pillows and towels can cause extensions to matt up into dreaded locks. Allow to fully air dry.
Slippage: Clip-ins, tape-ins, wig combs can loosen from movement in water andpull on your natural hair. Check attachments periodically while swimming.
Hygiene: Wet extensions take longer to fully dry, increasing risk of mildew or bacteria if not washed promptly after swimming.

While not guaranteed to ruin them immediately, frequent swimming without proper precautions in place will shorten the lifespan of your extensions and likely require replacements sooner.

Tips for Protecting Hair Extensions When Swimming

If you do plan to take a dip wearing extensions occasionally, follow these tips to minimize any potential damage:

Detangle thoroughly before entering water to prevent tangled knots from forming.
Secure any clips, combs, ties tightly so pieces stay in place.
Braid, bun, or ponytail hair to keep contained while swimming.
Apply a protective leave-in conditioner before swimming. Focus on the mid-lengths and ends.
Rinse hair with fresh water before and after swimming to prevent chemical/mineral absorption.
Wash with sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner immediately after swimming.
Let hair air dry fully before combing and heat styling.
Check bond points on extensions to ensure none have loosened. Re-adhere any lifted areas.
Limit pool/saltwater exposure to less than 30 minutes at a time.
Remove all extensions at night and give your natural hair a break.

How to Care for Extensions After Swimming

Caring for your extensions properly after swimming is crucial to minimizing long-term damage. Here are some must-do steps:

Rinse with cool, fresh water immediately after exiting pool or ocean.
Shampoo hair with a gentle, sulfate-free formula to remove chlorine and saltwater.
Apply a hydrating conditioner mid-lengths to ends to restore moisture. Avoid bonds.
Detangle very gently with a wide-tooth comb, wet brush or your fingers. Never comb extensions when dry.
Wrap hair in a microfiber towel or soft t-shirt to absorb moisture. Avoid terrycloth towels.
Let extensions air dry fully – do not blow dry or use hot tools until 100% dry.
Do not braid or tie up wet extensions to prevent matting as they dry.
If hair remains damp overnight, use a humidifier nearby to prevent mildew growth on extensions.
Apply a hydrating leave-in conditioner and argan oil once fully dry for added softness and shine.

Proper aftercare ensures your extensions regain their smooth texture and lustrous shine after swimming.

When to Avoid Swimming With Extensions

While an occasional brief dip in the pool or ocean won’t necessarily ruin your extensions, there are times it’s best not to risk getting them wet:

Right after a fresh install. Wait at least 24-48 hours for bonds to cure before water exposure.
If bonds are starting to weaken or slip. Water will further loosen the bonds.
If hair is already dry or damaged. Wet hair is prone to tangling which can worsen existing damage.
If struggling with excessive shedding. Wet extensions will shed more than dry hair.
Around the time for a move-up. Salons recommend moving up extensions 1-2 months after install to prevent matting and damage over time.
If hair has product buildup. Chlorine and saltwater make buildup worse. Clarify before swimming.

Listen to your extensions. If they feel dry, tangled or damaged, take a break from the pool and focus on restorative conditioning treatments until the hair regains its health.