Can You Dye Hair Extensions?

Whether you're trying to achieve a perfect colour match, refresh a faded shade, or simply experiment with a new look, the idea of colouring your extensions is appealing. The straightforward answer is yes, you can dye human hair extensions.

However, its not quite as simple as colouring your natural hair, and there are important factors to consider to protect your investment and achieve the best results. 

Dyeing Human Hair Extensions

Human hair extensions can be cloured and applies to all types of hair extensions. Such as Nanos, Weft, I-Tip, Flat Tip and Tapes.

Since they are made from real hair, they possess the same fundamental properties as your own hair when it comes to absorbing colour.

However, it's crucial to understand that there's a big difference between dyeing natural, unprocessed hair and dyeing extensions that have already undergone a chemical process to achieve their original colour and texture. This pre-processing means they'll react differently to dye.

The Challenges and Risks - Why Dyeing Extensions is Different

Dyeing hair extensions comes with its own set of challenges and risks that you wouldn't typically encounter with your natural hair. Being aware of these is key to avoiding disappointment or damage.

• Pre-Processed Hair
  
  Most extensions have already been coloured or treated to give them their uniform shade and texture. This means their cuticles (the outermost layer of the hair strand) may be partially sealed or altered, and the hair is no longer in its virgin state. As a result, extensions can absorb colour differently and often more intensely than your natural hair, leading to unpredictable results.
  
  
  

• Colour Uptake
  
  Extensions can be very porous, which might cause them to soak up dye quickly and result in a darker or more saturated colour than anticipated. This unpredictability makes it very difficult to achieve an exact shade without professional knowledge.
  
  
  

• Cuticle Integrity
  
  Any chemical process, including dyeing, can impact the hair cuticle. If not done correctly, the cuticles can become damaged, leading to dryness, frizz, tangling, and a loss of the hair's natural shine and softness. Protecting this integrity is vital for your extensions' longevity.
  
  
  

• Bond Breakdown
  
  For extensions with specific attachment methods like Tape-Ins, Nano Tips, Stick-I Tips, or Flat Tips, direct contact with dye, especially developer, can compromise the bonds. This might lead to adhesive breakdown, slippage, or damage to the individual attachments.

Why Your Stylist is Key for Dyeing Extensions

Any dyeing of hair extensions should only be performed by a qualified and experienced professional stylist.

Attempting to dye extensions yourself, especially with standard box dyes, carries significant risks and can often lead to irreversible damage.

• Expert Knowledge
  
  A professional stylist understands hair chemistry, how pre-processed hair reacts to dye, and can accurately assess the current state of your extensions. They know which formulations to use and how to apply them safely.
  
  
  

• Accurate Colour Matching
  
  Achieving a perfect, seamless blend is challenging. A stylist has the expertise to not only dye the extensions but also to perfectly match them to your natural hair colour or desired shade, considering undertones and blending techniques.
  
  
  

• Damage Prevention
  
  Professionals use specific low-volume developers and gentle techniques to minimise stress on the extension hair. They know how to protect the delicate bonds and prevent potential slipping or weakening caused by chemical exposure.
  
  
  

• Protecting Your Investment
  
  Glamlox extensions are a premium product. Trusting a professional to handle any colour alterations safeguards your investment, ensuring the hair maintains its quality and can be reused.

Best Practices and What to Avoid

If dyeing your extensions is necessary, follow these best practices, always under professional guidance. Knowing what to avoid is just as crucial.

• Darker Only
  
  The golden rule for dyeing extensions is to only go darker. Lightening or bleaching extensions is strongly discouraged. The hair has already undergone processing to achieve its initial colour, and attempting to lift that colour further can severely damage the cuticle, leading to irreversible dryness, breakage, and a compromised texture.
  
  
  

• Strand Test First
  
  Always perform a small strand test on a discreet piece of extension hair before applying dye to the entire set. This allows you to check how the colour will develop and ensure you achieve the desired shade.
  
  
  

• Low Developer Volume
  
  Your stylist will typically use a very low-volume developer (e.g., 10 volume) when dyeing extensions. This minimises the chemical impact on the hair, reducing the risk of damage while allowing the colour to deposit.
  
  
  

• Avoiding Bonds and Tapes
  
  When applying dye, your stylist will carefully avoid the attachment points, especially for Tape-Ins, Nano Tips, Stick-I Tips, and Flat Tips. Protecting these areas prevents the dye or developer from breaking down the adhesive or bonds.
  
  
  

What Not to Do:

Avoid box dyes
These are formulated for virgin hair and are too harsh for extensions.

Do not bleach or lighten
As mentioned, this is highly likely to cause irreversible damage.

Don't attempt DIY
The risks of uneven colour, damage, and bond slippage are too high without professional expertise.

Avoid over-processing
Never leave the dye on longer than recommended, even if the colour isn't immediately visible.

Our Recommendations for Achieving Your Perfect Shade

We offer an extensive palette of beautiful, multi-tonal shades designed to blend seamlessly with a wide range of natural hair colours. Our primary recommendation is always to select extensions that already match your desired shade.

• Find Your Shade
  
  We encourage you to explore our comprehensive range of pre-coloured Glamlox extensions. With a vast selection of hues, you can often find your perfect match straight out of the box, eliminating the need for dyeing altogether.
  
  

• Subtle Enhancements Without Dye
  
  For added dimension, many of our extensions come with subtle multi-tonal blends or root stretches, allowing you to create natural-looking highlights or lowlights without any chemical processing on your natural hair or the extensions.
  
  

• Mixing and Matching
  
  Don't be afraid to combine two or three slightly different Glamlox shades to create a custom blend that perfectly complements your hair and adds natural depth.
  
  

• Consult Our Experts
  
  If you're truly unsure about colour matching or if dyeing is absolutely necessary, our Glamlox colour experts are here to guide you. They can help you select the ideal pre-coloured extensions.

While it's technically possible to dye human hair extensions, it's a process best left to the professionals. By choosing the right shade from our extensive collection, or by trusting a skilled stylist for any necessary colour adjustments, you can ensure your extensions remain vibrant, healthy, and flawlessly beautiful for months to come.

Ready to find your perfect shade and transform your hair? Explore our range today and discover your perfect match for enduring style.