Installing and removing clip-in hair extensions multiple times a day is seen as a bit of chore to many hair extensions wearers. You, and many others, may ask whether you can simply just sleep with them in at night instead of taking them out. Well, I’ve done some digging and I can answer this question for you!
You shouldn’t sleep with your clip-in hair extensions in. Although it is possible to sleep with them in, it’s not advisable. Sleeping with your extensions may damage them or lead to tangling, hair loss, and scalp irritation. It will deteriorate the quality of the extensions and reduce their lifespan due to the friction between the hair and pillow.
Keep reading to learn exactly why you should avoid sleeping with your clip-in extensions and how you can best care for them!
5 Reasons You Should Not Sleep With Clip-In Hair Extensions
Although clip-in hair extensions are known for their ease of wear and versatility, one caveat is that they should not be worn to bed! They are not designed to be slept in and doing so could result in some horrible consequences!
It would be best if you did not sleep with your clip-in hair extensions on as doing so can lead to your extensions getting tangled, thus damaging them and your real hair. Sleeping with your clip-in extensions can also lead to tugging on your hair strands and roots that lead to balding and scalp irritation.
Check out the main reasons why you should remove your hair extensions before you hit the hay:
01. They can get tangled and matted
If you sleep with your clip-in hair extensions in they are likely to get extremely tangled and matted during the night! The friction between the hair and your bed sheets will damage the hair cuticle (which should ideally flow in one direction) and cause the strands to fray in different directions which can make the hair more prone to tangling and matting.
The extension hair will not only get matted, but will become entangled with your natural hair and this can be a pain to remove!
02. It will damage the extensions hair
The friction between your hair and the bed-sheets can also result in irreversible damage to the extensions! It can dry out the hair and become frizzy and unmanageable as the direction of the hair cuticle will be disrupted.
The constant rubbing of the extensions against your sheets and the dryness of the hair could result in split ends too. This would all in turn make the extensions more prone to tangling and deteriorate the quality of the hair!
03. You may experience pain
Another reason you should avoid sleeping with your clip-in extensions in is that it will probably hurt! The clips themselves, if they become dislodged or loosen, may dig into your scalp if you sleep on them and this can be incredibly sore!
The weight of the hair on your scalp during the night could also lead to headaches as you are not giving your scalp a chance to rest! It is so important to remove your extensions at night to allow your scalp to relax and soothe before installing them the next day.
04. It could lead to hair loss
Wearing your clip-in extensions to bed can actually result in hair loss! The extra tension and weight of the clips on your hair when you sleep can lead to breakage of your natural hair! If you accidentally tug at the hair you can rip out many strands of your own hair if the extensions get pulled out.
The extensions themselves may also start to shed if they are slept on as any tugging on the clips of wefts can loosen the attachment site.
05. It will irritate your scalp
Last but not least, sleeping with your extensions in can cause a lot of irritation to the scalp. As mentioned above, the clips may dig into your scalp and cause abrasions which could become infected over time.
The constant rubbing of the extension clips against your scalp could irritate your skin and lead to an itchy scalp, dandruff or flakiness.
5 Night Time Hair Care Tips For Clip-In Extensions
Sometimes caring for extensions or hair-pieces can seem more complicated than caring for your natural hair, especially when it comes to night time hair care.
Ideally, you should remove your clip-in hair extensions every night before bed, but if this is not feasible, ensure that your extensions are secure by tying them in a loose ponytail or putting them in an upswept bun to minimize tangling. That said, sleep with a satin bonnet to prevent friction from your pillow ruing your extensions.
It can get overwhelming remembering exactly what to do and what not to do, so I’ve broken down the 5 key hair care tips for clip-in hair extensions!
01. Follow a night time routine
Always remove your extensions before you sleep as this is the best way to ensure they last as long as they’re meant to and stay in good condition. If there is ever an instance where you need to wear them to bed then make sure that the extensions are secure and follow a night time routine.
Start by braiding your hair with the extensions in and wrap it in a silk scarf to protect the wefts from tangling or becoming frizzy. The braids will help to secure the extensions and prevent any unnecessary tugging.
02. Wash them regularly
Wash your extensions regularly to prevent product and dirt build-up in the hair. Product and dirt build-up can make the extensions sticky and more prone to tangling and matting. Ensure that you use sulfate-free products as regular hair products can dry out the hair, damage it, and strip it of any natural moisture.
03. Comb through them often
You should detangle your hair and extensions multiple times a day. Never comb through your extensions when they are wet as this may cause the hair to snap and break. Use a wide-tooth comb to gently remove tangles and hold the hair tightly near to the clip to make sure the hair does not get pulled.
04. Do not swim or shower with them in
Always remove your extensions before you shower or swim. You should wash your extensions separately from your natural hair as you will have more control and they will not tangle with your natural hair. You will also need to use different, more natural products on the extensions as opposed to the products used on natural hair.
Seawater is very salty and swimming pools often contain chlorine. These water types can dry out your extensions and strip the hair! This will deteriorate the quality of your extensions, so always remove them before you swim!
To learn more about this, check out our article 5 Things To Know When Swimming With Hair Extensions: Fresh & Salt Water.
05. Do not use heat tools on them
Try and avoid using heat tools on your extensions! The heat will dry out the hair and cause it to become brittle over time. Allow your extensions to air dry instead of using a hairdryer as this will increase the life span of your extensions!
6 Steps to Remove Tangles From Your Hair Extensions
The most secure approach to removing tangles from your clip-in hair expansions is to apply about 2 tablespoons of a sulfate-free, wig-friendly detangling spray/cream to your hair extensions’ ends and length (not the wefts) before using a wide-tooth comb from the ends to the wefts to detangle the hair
Step 1: Section off or layer your hair
Divide your hair into layers so that you have smaller, more manageable sections to work with. You can separate the hair using large hair clips.
Step 2: Apply a detangling spray
Spray a detangling lotion on to your hair and matted or tangled extensions. This will help to remove any static and make detangling the hair easier! Make sure you focus the product on the tangled sections and massage it in.
Step 3: Comb through the hair
Use a wide-tooth comb to work through the tangles. Comb through the hair layer by layer very gently. Start at the ends of the hair and work your way up to the clips and roots. When combing, hold the extensions firmly near the clips so that you are not tugging on the hair too much.
Step 4: Wash and dry your extensions
Once the tangles have been removed and you have taken out your extensions, you can wash them as you usually would being careful not to scrub at the hair. Allow them to air dry.
Step 5: Comb though the extensions
Once the extensions are completely dry, you can remove any final tangles with the wide-tooth comb. Again, be careful not to tug at the hair as this may cause the extensions to shed.
Step 6: Apply a hair oil
Now that your extensions are tangle-free, apply natural hair oil to the ends of the hair to restore moisture. This will help to condition the hair and smooth out the hair cuticle that may have been disrupted.