If you’re struggling with your hair extensions looking stringy, piecey, straggly or ratty and you just don’t know what to do about it, then you have come to the right place. Stringy extensions is an issue most hair-extension users struggle with and do not know how to combat.
There are a few main reasons your hair extensions could be stringy:
- Your extensions are tangled and matted
- There is a build-up of dirt and product in your extensions
- Your extensions are damaged
- You have the incorrect hair extension weight installed
- You are using the wrong products on your extensions
If you’re looking for answer to your problem then look no further, I have taken the time to research this for you and provide you with detailed key information and tips below!
Why Are Your Extensions Stringy?
1. Your extensions are tangled and matted. One of the main reasons why extensions look stringy is because they are getting tangled and matted. When the extensions become rough in texture and interlaced, it causes each section to piece together and stand out from the natural hair.
Your extensions may be tangled due to poor hair care habits such as too much friction on the hair, a lot of heated tool use, greasy hair.
2. There is a build-up of dirt and product in your extensions. When product, dirt, and sweat build up on your hair and extensions the hair tends to clump together. This could be contributing to the stringy look some hair extension users complain about.
The excess grease caused by this build up causes individual strands of hair to stick together and this results in a very separated and straggly look. The grease prevents the extensions from flowing naturally and the hair strands become restricted in their movement.
3. Your extensions are damaged. Damaged hair extensions contribute to the stringy look as the quality of the hair does not allow for a natural flowy look. When the hair is badly damaged, it becomes rough and static in texture and does not naturally lay flat with the other strands of hair.
Your hair extensions may be damaged from the use of color treatments, heat tools, chemical treatments and overuse of the same hair extensions.
4. You have the incorrect hair extension weight installed. It may be possible that your hairstylist has installed extensions that are the wrong weight for your natural hair type and hair length.
Different hair types and lengths require different hair extensions for ease of wear and to achieve different looks.
If your hair is naturally thin and fine, having thick, heavy hair extensions will likely to overpower the look and not blend in seamlessly which may be contributing to the stringy look.
Similarly, if you have naturally heavier and curly hair, lighter more straight extensions will also not blend in well and this may result in the extension hair strands piecing together and looking stringy.
5. You are using the wrong products on your extensions. You may be using incorrect products for your hair extensions, too often. Products that are heavy and rich such as deep conditioning products, when used too often, may weigh down the extensions causing them to separate and look piecey and stringy.
The extra moisture could be too greasy on your hair and cause the extensions to clump together as if they were dirty!
6 Ways To Combat Stringy Hair Extensions
1. Wash your extensions regularly. In order to avoid product and dirt build-up on your extensions, it is recommended that you wash your clip-in extensions at least once every two weeks (or once a week if you work out a lot with them in).
Clip-in extensions can very easily hold on to excess product and grease which, as you now know, can cause a stringy look.
A good way to make sure that you are effectively removing the build-up from your extensions is to use a clarifying shampoo on the ends of your extensions every second wash. Do be careful not to overuse this shampoo as it can be drying and cause the extensions to become brittle and rough if used too often.
2. Take extra care when washing your extensions. It is important that you are extra careful when washing your extensions as different types of extensions require different steps.
Clip-in extensions need to be removed from your natural hair and then washed separately in order to minimize damage to the extensions. if they are not removed first, you run the risk of having them become knotted and tangled with your own hair and this can be tricky to undo and cause them to look stringy once dry!
If you have permanently attached extensions (for example weft extensions or pre-bonded extensions) that cannot be removed before you wash your hair make sure that you wash your hair and scalp with extra care.
Make sure that you are not scrubbing your scalp too harshly or tugging at the installation site as this can damage the bonds of the extensions. Remember, too much friction may cause the hair to become rough and could contribute to the stringy look.
3. Take extra care when drying extensions. When drying permanent extensions ensure that you do not rub the hair with a towel or wrap it up in a towel-turban. Extensions need extra care and this added friction may result in the looking stringy.
Instead, use an old t-shirt to gently squeeze the excess water from your hair, this approach is a lot more gentle and could save your extensions from that dreaded piecey look!
4. Brush your hair extensions regularly throughout the day. To avoid tangling and matting make sure to brush your extensions at least twice a day. Avoid pulling and tugging at knotty hair as you may damage the extensions or pull them out.
I would recommend using a Tangle Teezer or a wide-toothed comb to minimize breakage when brushing.
A good tip for brushing out extensions is to split the hair into smaller, more manageable sections. Next, brush the extensions downwards from the roots of the hair to the ends while holding and supporting the hair just below the attachment site or bond.
5. Follow a special night care routine. When you have extensions, tossing and turning at night can easily lead to tangled and matted hair.
I recommend wearing a sleeping cap to bed to protect your hair while you sleep. If you don’t have a sleeping cap, you can also wrap your hair in a silky scarf before you sleep.
If a sleeping cap is not really your style, the next best thing is to sleep with your hair tied up loosely in a soft scrunchie. Don’t use any tight or very elasticated bands as these may break the hair.
6. Use the recommended aftercare products. After having your extensions put in your stylist should have recommended special products to keep your new locks looking their best. USE THEM! They have been recommended to you for a reason and by not using them you may be damaging your extensions.
The products recommended to you are likely to be best suited to the specific type of extensions you have had installed. Your own hair products may be overly drying and stripping the extensions of the moisture they need to look sleek, flowy and non-stringy.
Make sure that you follow your stylist’s recommendations and nourish your new hair as instructed, especially if you are applying heat to your extensions!
Tried It all To No Avail?
If you have tried all of the above suggestions and your extensions are STILL not cooperating, it may be worth revisiting your stylist so you can get to the bottom of the mystery. If your extensions are old or too damaged to remedy, you may have to consider getting a new set (so keep that in mind when looking after your extensions).
Just remember to always make sure that you’re going to a professional stylist that will use good quality extensions and products and treat your hair the way it deserves to be treated!.