Can You Dye Hair Extensions? A Comprehensive Guide

With hair color transformations being as common as changing outfits, it’s no surprise that many women are also looking to switch up the hues of their hair extensions. Whether it’s to refresh their look or achieve a seamless blend with their natural shade, the desire to dye hair extensions is a common one among style-savvy individuals. But before you break out the dye and brushes, you might be wondering: Can you dye hair extensions? This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about dyeing extensions and achieving your perfect look. So, let’s scroll down this page and explore more! 

Can You Dye Hair Extensions?

Yes, but it depends on the type of hair extensions you use. Only high-quality human hair extensions from virgin hair and remy hair can be dyed. 

Non-remy hair is human hair extensions, but they are notcan you dye hair extensions an option for dyeing. The reason is that the hair cuticles go in different directions. The hair will be damaged after the dyeing process.

Our expert team has also received many questions regarding “Can you dye synthetic hair extensions”. But the answer is they cannot be dyed, either. Synthetic fibers are easily burnt out when undergoing harsh chemical processing. 

View more related post here: Can You Dye Weft Hair Extensions

Things You Need To Know Before Dyeing Hair Extensions

So now you have known the answer to the question “Can you color hair extensions”, it’s best to grasp the following info before you step into the dyeing process. This will ensure you have the perfect result when dyeing your hair extensions.

You Can Go Lighter and Darker

Unlike many people may think, hair extensions (of course, the human hair ones) can be dyed to lighter shades. But the case is the same with whether you can dye hair extensions. It’s all about the hair quality.

• S-quality hair extensions from Luxshine are remy hair extensions. With this type of hair extensions, we recommend you dye them with dark shades. That does not mean you cannot go lighter, but your technique matters the most. But overall, it’s better to opt for dark shades when dyeing these hair extensions.
• L-quality hair extensions of Luxshine Hair are virgin hair extensions. They feature large, round, and strong hair strands that minimize the impact of harsh chemicals from the dyeing process. That’s why they are the best options for bleaching and dying with light shades.

Always Do A Strand Test

Don’t rush dyeing your whole set altogether. To see how the chosen color will look, it’s important to conduct a strand test. You can adjust the hair color until you achieve the shade you desire.

To do this, apply a small amount of dye to a small section of your set of hair extensions. Then, rinse off the dye once you’ve applied it to see how the color turns out. 

Avoid High-Ammonia Products

Understanding how to dye hair extensions involves being mindful of chemicals with high ammonia content.

It’s best to steer clear of products with high ammonia levels when dyeing your hair extensions, as they can cause discoloration. Avoiding ammonia is crucial during the coloring process to prevent any unwanted changes in the final color. 

Dyeing Before Wearing

If you have installed your hair extensions, you might wonder “Can you dye hair extensions while in your head”. It’s a yes, but with a “but”. 

With sew-in hair extensions or bonded hair extensions, dyeing your hair along with the extensions is an option, but it’s important to handle it with care. 

It’s better to seek professional help for dyeing your hair to prevent any dye from seeping onto the wefts or bonds, particularly for semi-permanent extensions like tape-ins, micro-bonds, and fusions. The dye can weaken the bonds, leading to premature slippage of the extensions, which is something you’d want to avoid at all costs.

How to Dye Hair Extensions – Step-By-Step Guide

Dyeing hair extensions at home is doable, although it’s a work of patience and precision.

Step 1: Choose the Color

Let’s start by choosing the ideal shade for your extensions. We suggest you opt for a professional hair color and developer line rather than a boxed color from the drugstore. This way, you can select the appropriate developer for your extensions.

Semi-permanent dye only lasts for several washes. So, if you are determined on which color you want to get, it’s better to select a permanent dye. Typically, a 10-volume developer or demi-permanent color is suggested.

If you’re dyeing your extensions for the first time, we recommend a subtle shade change to minimize the risk of damage or breakage. However, if you’re aiming for platinum highlights or a white-blonde appearance, it’s best to leave it in the hands of professionals.

Step 2: Prepare the Needed Tools

And now, it’s time to gather all the needed materials you need for the dyeing process:

• High-quality human hair extensions
• Professional hair color and developer (avoid developers above 30% to prevent damage)
• Disposable gloves: to protect your hands during the process
• Coloring bowl and brush
• Tinfoil: to isolate sections of hair while applying the dye, preventing color bleeding and ensuring even coverage.
• Plastic wrap
• Towel
• Wide-toothed comb
• Deep conditioner for post-color care

Step 3: Prepping the Hair

Wash your hair extensions before dyeing to remove dirt or product buildups that may affect color processing. 

Start by filling your sink with lukewarm water and adding 2-3 dollops of shampoo to create a soapy solution. Wash your hair extensions gently and avoid rubbing to prevent tangling. 

After washing, air-dry the extensions completely before applying color. Remember to comb through the extensions to remove tangles and any styling product residue before placing them on the tin foil for coloring. 

Step 4: Set Up the Working Space

Arrange your tools and supplies on a flat surface for comfortable work. It’s best to cover the surface with tin foil sheets or old newspapers to prevent staining and protect your workspace.

Step 5: Mix the Color

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to prepare your color. Most hair dyes require equal parts color and developer, so ensure you have enough dye for your extensions (about 3-5 ounces). It’s better to have extra dye than to run out mid-process.

Note: For bright or fashionable colors on blonde extensions, you can try the watercolor method. With this method, you won’t apply the dye to the hair, but submerge it in the watercolor. 

Step 6: Apply the Dye

Before you start coloring, always conduct a strand test. Apply a small amount of dye to the end of a small hair section to ensure you’re happy with the result.

Once you’re satisfied, put on gloves and use a color brush to apply dye to each weft individually. Start from the top and brush downward to the ends, ensuring full saturation on both sides. Avoid applying color in an upward motion to prevent damage and frizz.

Once you finish applying color to the whole set, proceed to the next step. 

Step 7: Let the Color Develop

After applying dye to all the human hair wefts, loosely cover them with plastic wrap or tinfoil to prevent the color from drying out. Let the color process for the time specified on the color box, typically between 20 and 40 minutes, depending on the color and brand.

Once the processing time is up, remove the tin foil and proceed to rinse the extensions in the sink.

Step 8: Rinse And Wash

Once the processing is complete and you’re happy with the color, it’s time to rinse the extensions. Use cool water and run your fingers through the hair to remove any excess dye. 

Let the water flow naturally from the top to the bottom of the extensions as you rinse, and continue rinsing for 15 to 20 minutes to ensure all the color is removed. After rinsing, shampoo the extensions with a sulfate-free moisturizing or color-friendly formula. 

Follow up with a sulfate-free deep conditioning treatment to replenish moisture lost during the dyeing process.

Step 9: Comb, Air Dry and Style

After conditioning your extensions, it’s time to detangle and dry them. Place a towel on your workspace and apply a leave-in conditioner to your extensions. Gently comb through your hair using a wide-tooth comb once it’s mostly dry to minimize shedding. It’s best to allow the extensions to air dry completely, avoiding the use of a blow-dryer. 

And now, you can style your new-colored extensions to achieve your desired look. If you plan to use heat styling tools like a curling iron, just make sure the extensions are completely dry and apply a heat protectant spray beforehand.

Please note that this guide can be applicable to various types of hair extensions, whether you use Clip-in hair extensions or Tape-in hair extensions. 

Watch this video along with our guide:

In a Nutshell

And that’s all about our guide to answering the question “Can you dye hair extensions?”. If you are searching for high-quality human hair extensions to start the dyeing process, don’t forget to check out Luxshine Hair. As the leading Vietnam hair vendor, we supply a wide range of options to best suit your hair needs. 

WhatsApp us at (+84) 862 552 088 for more support and get the best prices on premium Vietnamese hair extensions!