If you are planning on investing in clip-in extensions, you’re probably wondering how many times you can wear them before they start needing replacing. Well, I’ve done some research and here’s what I found!
Clip-in hair extensions can be worn as often as you like! You can choose to wear them daily if you wish, provided that you remove them before you sleep, shower, or at least every evening to minimize wear and tear. Clip-ins can last between 3-6 months with daily use or up to a year, provided that you take proper care of them.
Keep reading to find out exactly how long clip-in hair extensions will last you!
How Long Do Clip-In Hair Extensions Last: A Comparison
Clip-in hair extensions last anywhere between 3 to 6 months if they are worn daily, even with proper care. Other than that, your clip-in hair extensions can last up to a year. To make your clip-in hair extension last longer, take them off before showering, swimming, or going to bed.
Take a look at the table below to get the low-down on how long clip-in hair extensions last in comparison to other popular types of hair extensions!
| Type of Extension: | Hair Type Suitability: | How Long Does it Last: | How Often You Can Wear Them: |
| Clip-in | Thick & medium hair | 1 Year (if not worn all the time) | Daily |
| Micro-bead | Thin hair | 3-6 months | Daily* |
| Tape-in | Thick and medium hair | 6-8 weeks | Daily* |
| Sew-in | Thick hair | 2-6 weeks | Daily* |
| Weave | Thick hair | 8 weeks | Daily* |
| Fusion | All hair types | 3 months or more, depending on how you care for them | Daily* |
| Glue-in | Medium to thick | 4-8 weeks | Daily* |
| Bonded | All hair types | 3-6 months | Daily* |
*As these types of hair pieces and extensions are semi-permanent, once they have been installed they are there to stay until you choose to have them removed. This means you can (or have to) wear them daily!
While the above table gives a general idea, the lifespan of your clip-in hair extensions depends on whether they are made of synthetic hair or human hair, as well as how well you take care of them.
With that being said, you can still see that clip-in extensions have the potential to last the longest compared to other types of extensions, although whether they are synthetic or real also plays a big role. Keep reading to find out more!
Remy Clip-In Hair Extensions Vs. Synthetic Clip-In Hair Extensions
Synthetic clip-in extensions can cost between $60-$85 whilst Remy human hair clip-in extensions can cost between $100-500. Although synthetic hair extensions are more affordable they only last up to 6 months. The recommended option is Remy human hair extensions as they will last up to a year with the correct care, they can last even longer.
Try and invest in human hair Remy extensions if you plan on wearing your clip-ins a lot, as they are of high quality and should last longer. ‘Remy’ means that the extensions’ hair has been sourced from one donor only and the hair cuticle runs in the same direction. This makes the hair smoother and softer and less prone to damage! To maximize your extensions’ lifespan, you should try and invest in Remy hair!
Synthetic hair is made of an artificial polymer and can be coarser and get damaged more easily. As such it probably won’t last as long as human hair.
If you choose to wear your clip-ins, synthetic or Remy, on a day to day basis you are exposing them to greater sources of damage, however, with the right care and attention you can make them last longer. If you are wearing them daily, you need to reduce strain to your head by removing them at the end of the day or when you can take a break, other than that you should be good to go!
How To Ensure Your Clip-In Extensions Last: 6 Easy Steps
Extensions, especially Remy extensions, can be pricey! So, you want to make them last as long as possible all while looking shiny and new!
The easiest way to ensure that your clip0in hair extensions last longer is to take them off before participating in activities that promote wear and tear, such as swimming, exercising, showering, and even sleeping. That said, keeping your extensions clean by washing them once a week (if worn daily) will also make them last.
To preserve the quality of your clip-ins and to ensure that they last you a long while, you’re going to want to follow the tips below:
01. Wash them regularly
Firstly, you need to make sure that you wash your clip-ins regularly. The last thing you want is sticky or smelly hair extensions!
Washing them regularly will ensure that there is no product, dirt, or sweat build-up and this will prevent them from tangling and getting matted in the long run.
You should also keep your natural hair clean as the extensions will come into direct contact with it and any dirt or residue could transfer and cause the strands of the weft to tangle with your natural hair.
02. Do not use heat tools
Secondly, you should avoid heat tools at all costs. Heat tools such as hairdryers, curling tongs, and hair straighteners will dry out the hair and this could damage the strands and lead to split ends.
Instead of using a hairdryer to dry the wefts, allow them to air-dry overnight, as this will protect the hair from any heat damage. If you are looking to style the wefts, you could always try some alternative heat-free methods mentioned in one of my previous posts!
Check out our article here if you would like to learn the steps in detail!
03. Use the right products
Thirdly, you should ensure that you are using high-quality products on your extensions. Perhaps consult with your salon and see what they offer, they should be able to recommend a suitable range of products for your extensions.
Any product you use on the clip-in extensions should be sulfate-free and as natural as possible as this will help the hair retain its moisture. Products designed for natural hair are often too harsh on extensions and will strip the hair of any natural oils.
Investing in your hair care products is so important when wearing extensions as using the wrong product can rid the hair of any shine and moisture and it can end up looking very dry and lackluster.
04. Remove them before exercising
It is imperative that you remove your extensions before doing any exercise. Certain activities such as dancing, swimming, or working out can damage the hair.
If you wear your clip-ins during activities that make you perspire this could lead to sweat build up on the hair and make the hair dirty and more prone to tangling.
If you swim with your extensions in, the chlorine found in most swimming pools or salty seawater will dry out the hair and leave it feeling and looking brittle. This can make the hair more prone to breakage and matting as it will tangle with your natural hair. The chlorine in pool water can also cause the hair to oxidize and change color!
Are you an active girl who also loves to rock those extensions? Check out our article 6 Things To Know When Choosing Hair Extensions For Running, Athletics, And Gym for all you need to know!
05. Do not sleep with your extensions in
You should never sleep with your clip-in hair extensions. In fact, that is one of the selling points of clip-in hair extensions, you don’t need to because you can just remove them easily before bed!
The friction between the hair and your pillow will damage the hair and make it look unruly and frizzy. The friction will also likely dry out the hair and lead to tangles, breakage, and split ends.
If you sleep with your extensions in you could also suffer hair loss. The extensions will likely become tangled and start to shed and the clips will be too heavy on your natural hair during the night and could lead to traction alopecia!
If ever you must wear your extensions to bed, make sure you wrap your hair in a silk scarf as it will act as a barrier between the hair and your bedsheets. Alternatively, you can braid the hair to reduce damage to the extensions and keep the extensions in place to reduce hair loss!
Want to find out more about sleeping with your extensions? Check out our article here for all the tips and tricks.
06. Detangle them every day
Lastly, you should be detangling your clip-in extensions and hair daily. You need to ensure that you are doing this to avoid any tangled sections from getting matted as this can happen really quickly!
The best tool to use is a wide-tooth comb as it will minimize damage to the hair. Hold the extensions firmly at the root and comb the hair gently. Be sure to brush the ends of the hair out first and make your way up to the roots or clips to reduce breakage.
Final Thoughts
If you intend on getting as many wears out of your clip-in extensions and getting the most for your money it is so important to care for them the correct way. Just by using the right tools and following some hair care rules, you can save yourself the hassle of replacing them every few months. Make sure the follow the tips outlined above and yours should last you quite a while!