How to Make Hair Extensions Soft Again at Home

Hair extensions add length, volume and style to your locks. But over time, constant styling, washing and environmental factors can cause them to become dry, frizzy and coarse. Don’t despair – with the right techniques you can bring softness and smoothness back to hair extensions right in your own home.

In this comprehensive guide, we cover everything you need to know about revitalizing hair extensions and making them touchably soft again.

Why Hair Extensions Lose Softness

There are a few key reasons why hair extensions become dry and coarse over time:

• Lack of natural oils – Human hair extensions are detached from the scalp, so they lack the natural moisturizing oils the scalp produces. This causes dryness.

• Heat styling damage – Repeated use of hot tools like curling irons and straighteners dehydrates and damages the hair cuticle.

• Chemical processing – Coloring, perming or straightening extensions leads to porosity and dryness over time.

• Environmental factors – Sun, wind, hard water and pollution cause the hair to become dry and coarse.

• Improper care – Not properly conditioning, brushing and storing extensions leads to lack of moisture.

Replenishing moisture and softness to the hair shaft is key to restoring your extensions.

How to Make Extensions Soft – Step by Step

Follow these simple steps to bring softness and shine back to hair extensions at home:

1. Shampoo and Condition

• Use a moisturizing, sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner formulated for extensions. Sulfates strip moisture, so avoid these.

• Gently massage shampoo into the roots and lengths, then rinse. Apply conditioner combing through to the ends and leave in for 5 minutes before rinsing out.

• Pat dry with a towel. Avoid rubbing the hair when wet as this causes tangles and breakage.

2. Apply a Hydrating Hair Mask

• Hair masks provide an intensive moisture treatment. Apply a nourishing mask like coconut oil, shea butter or argan oil from roots to tips.

• Cover hair and allow the mask to penetrate deeply for 20-30 minutes.

• Rinse out thoroughly and follow with a moisturizing conditioner.

3. Oil Treatment

• Warm a small bowl of hydrating oil like coconut, olive, almond or argan oil. Dip the extensions in and massage oil into the lengths.

• For very dry hair, leave the extensions soaked overnight.

• Rinse out the oil thoroughly with gentle shampoo and conditioner.

4. Leave-In Conditioner

• After shampooing, apply a leave-in conditioner combing through wet hair to boost moisture levels.

• Let the hair air dry naturally instead of blow drying. Air drying prevents extra heat damage.

• Once dry, style as usual. The leave-in will keep hair soft and detangled.

5. Deep Conditioning Treatment

• For very damaged, coarse extensions do an intensive conditioning treatment.

• Mix a deep conditioner with warm coconut or olive oil. Apply it to dry extensions and cover with a shower cap.

• Sit under a hooded dryer, or wrap hair in a warm towel for 30 mins to open cuticles and intensify the treatment.

• Rinse out and air dry fully before styling.

Tips for Keeping Extensions Soft

Once you’ve restored softness, maintaining it is important. Follow these tips:

• Wash extensions max 2-3 times per week to avoid stripping natural oils
• Always use a thermal protectant before heat styling
• Avoid over-brushing dry extensions which causes frizz
• Use a wet brush or wide-tooth comb for gentle detangling
• Sleep with hair in a loose braid or silk wrap to prevent friction
• Store extensions laid flat, not twisted or curled
• Take occasional breaks from extensions to give natural hair a rest

Deep condition once a week to maintain soft, smooth textures.

Common Questions

How can you fix dry, frizzy extensions at home?

Regular oil treatments, hydrating masks and leave-in conditioners can help restore moisture and smoothness to dry, frizzy extensions. Avoid over-washing and heat styling.

What is the best oil for softening extensions?

Natural oils like coconut, olive, argan and almond oil work wonders to soften extensions. The vitamins and fatty acids penetrate the hair cuticle to renew softness and shine.

Can you reuse old, dry extensions?

With proper deep conditioning and care, very dry and damaged extensions can be revived to regain their softness. But if they are too far gone, it may be time to invest in a fresh set.

How often should you deep condition extensions?

Aim to deep condition extensions with a hair mask once a week for the best results. Damaged, over-processed extensions may need treatments 2-3 times a week to regain their texture.

What causes knots and tangles in extensions?

Insufficient conditioning, improper brushing techniques and sleeping with hair unprotected can cause extensions to knot and tangle. Regular hydrating treatments and proper care help prevent this.

The Takeaway

It’s totally possible to breathe new life into dry, frizzy extensions and make them touchably soft again with the right home conditioning techniques. The key is to regularly deep condition with oils and masks. Avoid over-washing, brush gently, minimize heat styling and take good care to maintain that salon-fresh feel for as long as possible.