Can you swim with hair extensions? The short answer is “yes.” This post is a comprehensive guide to swimming with hair extensions. It covers whether it is okay to swim with hair extensions in seawater, chlorinated water, or fresh water and what types of hair extensions are suitable to swim with. If you are a hair professional, share these tips to ensure your clients’ extensions stay fabulous throughout the season of water activities.
Can You Swim With Human Hair Extensions?
Human hair is more resilient to chlorine and saltwater than synthetic hair. Chemicals in the synthetic fiber make synthetic hair more susceptible to tangling. If you are wearing synthetic extensions, use a swimming cap and do not get it soaking wet.
Can You Get Hair Extensions Wet by Any Water?
“Can you get hair extensions wet?” Again, it’s a “yes.” But before taking their first summer dive, you must know what water you dive into because not all swimming water is ideal for extension hair.
Does the Sea Ruin Hair Extensions?
“Can you swim with hair extensions in the ocean?” Next time a client asks you this, you can give her this answer: “Unfortunately, the answer is ‘no’.” Or if she is persistent, at least say, “Not recommended.”
Seawater is very salty; it constantly removes hair moisture, leaving it extremely dry. It won’t totally destroy the hair, but it will give you a hard time detangling and restoring it. As a professional extension manufacturer, we wouldn’t recommend clients swim in the ocean.
Can You Get Extensions Wet in Chlorine?
Can you swim with hair extensions in a pool? Pool water is chlorinated and can harm extension hair by stripping away the hair color and dehydrating the hair, but not as much as seawater. But be sure to get your client to prepare the hair well before swimming and maintain it after.
Can You Swim With Hair Extensions in Fresh Water？
Not a fan of beaches and pools? The picturesque lakes and estuaries of North America are more your style. Keen on some cliff jumping and lake diving from incredible heights? No worries; fresh water is the friendliest for your hair. But get your clients to check your bond before they dive.
The table below is a reference that helps you understand the water types for your clients when swimming with hair extensions.
WATER TYPE | CAN YOU SWIM WITH HAIR EXTENSIONS? |
Sea Water | YES (with caution) |
Chlorinated Water | YES |
Fresh Water | YES |
What Kinds of Hair Extensions Can I Swim With?
Can you swim with hair extensions? Again, yes, but it depends on hair extension methods. We want to know if the extension bond is strong enough to keep the extensions in place so they don’t fall off. Not every method works well with water. Let’s go through each one, so you will know how to answer your clients.
1. Can You Swim With Clip in Hair Extensions?
Can you swim with hair extensions that are attached using clips? “Yes, you can.” You can reassure your client with this answer. However, clip-in hair extensions are clipped to the client’s natural hair with pressure-sensitive clips. So, the bonding wouldn’t be as strong as professional extensions, such as K-tips. A high dive or a splash may cause the clips to loosen up and the extensions to fall off.
What to keep in mind before swimming with clip-ins:
- Wear a reasonably tight swimming cap to stabilize the hair before diving in or doing a speedy lap.
- Most clip-ins are easy to attach and remove without a third person’s assistance. You are better off just removing them before going into the water and putting them back on to retain their best state.
- Remove the pieces clipped to the top and bottom of your head, as these areas get the most stress, and the natural hair is the thinnest in these areas.
- Braid your hair into ponytails for extra support.
2. Can You Swim With Halo Hair Extensions?
Can you swim with hair extensions that are placed on the head with an invisible string? You’d better not. Unlike other hair extension types, halo hair extensions are more of a sit-on than an attachment. You put it on the hair, and it hangs on the head by the thin wire and is stabilized with two or three comb clips in the back. The bonding can never be strong enough for water activities. So it’s better to remove it before diving in.
3. Can You Swim With Tape in Hair Extensions?
Can you swim with hair extensions that are attached to the clients’ bio hair using pre-installed tape? Yes. Tape-in extensions are one of the best hair extension methods for swimmers. Extension tapes form a solid bond to the natural and are unlikely to fall out like clip-in, halo, or band-style extensions do.
However, you can’t swim too often with tape-in extensions (like every day) with the hair loose. All swimming water types (seawater, pool, or freshwater) will likely weaken the adhesive tape. Also, only stay in the water for up to two hours. That’s the maximum time the bond can tolerate swimming water.
What to remember before swimming with tape-in extensions:
- Put your hair up and wear a reasonably tight swimming cap to keep the tapes dry.
- Do not swim too often (like every day), as chlorinated water, salt water, and daily showers will weaken the tapes.
4. Can You Swim With Weft Hair Extensions?
Can you swim with hair extensions that are hair wefts and get sewn on the client’s bio hair? Yes. Weft hair extensions are also known as sewn-in hair extensions or sew-in or weft extensions (including hand-tied, machine, or genius wefts). They can also be attached to bio hair using beads. In the case, they are known as beaded sew-in hair extensions. Weft hair extensions are wefts sewn to the already braided natural hair using threads. As a result, the bond is solid, and no chemicals in the water can affect it much, causing it to fall out.
5. Can You Swim With Beaded Hair Extensions?
Can you swim with hair extensions that are to be installed using beaded rings? Yes. Beaded hair extensions include nano-ring and micro-link extensions. They get attached to the client’s natural hair by tightly squeezing the tiny rings with pliers (for that matter, some specialists also put i-tips in this category) to grip the keratin bond.
However, seawater or chlorine may remain inside the beads and are hard to wash out. It will weaken the bonds without being washed out, leading to extensions falling off. A weak keratin bond can also cause hair to mat or tangle up.
What should your client remember before swimming with beaded extensions?
- Wear a tight, water-proof swimming cap to keep the bonds dry.
- Try not to wet your extension bonds if you don’t have to, or convince your companions to go for freshwater.
- After swimming with beaded hair extensions, proper wash and maintenance are essential. Rinse the hair thoroughly before and after swimming. Use a leave-in conditioner to create a protective barrier and avoid excessive sun exposure.
6. Can You Swim With Beaded Weft Hair Extensions?
Can you swim with hair extensions with beaded wefts? Beaded weft hair extensions can be considered as a subtype of beaded hair extensions. The most significant difference is that beaded weft hair extensions usually come in one piece, which is a hair weft with human hair on it. Just like beaded hair extensions, beaded weft hair extensions get installed to the bio hair using pre-attached beads along the weft.
The same swimming rules that apply to beaded hair extensions will also apply to beaded wefts. However, as the beaded hair comes in one piece, the bio hair may have to carry lots of weight in the water. So if one or a few little beads get spoilt by the seawater or chlorinated water, the whole piece may start to come off, putting extra weight on the bio hair, leading to damage.
7. Can You Swim With Keratin Bond Hair Extensions?
Can you swim with hair extensions in chlorinated or seawater? Yes. However, salt water or chlorine can also loosen keratin bonds, like with nano-bead extensions and most cold-fusion hair extensions. So, be sure to swim as sparingly as possible.
What should your client keep in mind before swimming with keratin-bond extensions:
- If your client doesn’t have to swim with her hair set loose, tie it up or wear a reasonably tight swimming cap so the bonds don’t get wet.
- Make freshwater lakes and rivers a priority.
8. Can You Swim With Ponytail Hair Extensions?
Can you swim with hair extensions in the form of a wrap-around ponytail? Yes. But remember that ponytails are a hair bundle with a nylon headband attached to one end. Your clients can attach them by putting their natural hair into a top knot bun and wrapping the nylon band around it. Going underwater won’t affect the bond much. However, cliff-diving or a big splash can easily flip it off, as the bond isn’t that strong.
How Do You Wear Extensions When Swimming?
How can you swim with hair extensions without caring for the extension hair? You can’t. Premium hair extensions are premium mainly because their hair quality is good. The main concern with harm is dehydration and decoloration. It is especially true if your client is wearing blonde hair extensions. With any kind of hair extension, taking precautions measure before heading to the pool will make the hair last.
1. Wet Your Hair With Fresh Water
How can you swim with hair extensions? First, did you know that when your hair is dry, there are heaps and heaps of tiny crevices between the hair strands? As soon as you make your first dive, the water you swim in will instantly occupy these tiny crevices.
Before jumping into the pool or ocean, wet and saturate the hair with fresh water. This step reduces the absorption of chlorinated or salty water. So harmful chemicals from the pool or salt from the sea will be less likely to damage the extension hair.
2. Condition the Hair Before Swimming! It’s Super Important!
Leave-in conditioners (preferably those made for extensions) may keep your client’s hair smooth while they swim. Apply the conditioner about 2″–5″ from the attachment points (especially for fusion, nano-bead, and tape-in extensions) because extensions may cause the bonds to get slippery and the extension hair to come off.
3. Swim Hairstyles
How can you swim with hair extensions properly? An efficient swim hairstyle may be helpful when swimming with hair extensions. Braid or tie the hair into a bun to prevent tangling and reduce stress on the hair and bonds. Braiding is particularly effective, as it keeps the hair compact and less likely to tangle. These styles reduce the surface area exposed to water, which can help protect the bonds and prevent tangling. Also, it provides extra support, so the extensions are less likely to fall off.
At a water park, high buns, French braids, or a combination of small braids can keep your hair secure, especially if you or your client want to play some mild water sports. These styles also prevent tangling and make it easier to rinse and detangle your hair afterward.
4. Use a Swim Cap
Can you swim with hair extensions? Yes. Invest in a quality swimming cap if you are a weathered swimmer who frequently does her laps. Swimming caps these days can block most of the water. So when you finish swimming, your hair is still relatively dry, saving you heaps of effort in sorting out the water harm. However, if you prefer not to use a swim cap, it recommends using UV protective shampoo and conditioner before swimming. This helps protect your hair from the damaging effects of chlorine and saltwater.
5. Avoid Rough Water Activities
Tell your client to avoid rough water activities that might tug on her extensions when they are in the water. Even though we did mention that some hair extensions are fit for activities like cliff-diving or even water polo matches, it is better not to engage in rough activities and be gentle with their extensions.
6. Swim no More Than 2 Hours
Can you swim with hair extensions for a whole afternoon? No, full stop. She doesn’t want the salt or chlorine to continuously bite on her extension hair. From a professional point of view, most hair extensions can tolerate seawater or chlorinated water for a maximum of 2 hours; beyond that, the hair and bond will deteriorate. So put on a timer: No more than 2 hours!
7. Rinse the Hair Immediately
Straight out of the pool, a considerable amount of chlorine or salt is still in your client’s hair, removing all its moisture. Their first priority is to rinse their hair thoroughly with clean, fresh water to remove chlorine and salt before perpetrators thoroughly dehydrate their hair.
9. Gentle Sulfate Free Shampoo and Conditioner
How can you swim with hair extensions with proper hair care? Give the hair a good wash with gentle sulfate and paraben-free shampoo to remove excess salt and chlorine. Then, condition the hair with a sulfate- and paraben-free conditioner to restore moisture.
Note: Stick to products that are sulfate- and paraben-free. These chemicals, like chlorine and seawater, will strip natural oils and moisture from the hair.
10. Dry the Hair Properly
They can pat their natural and extension hair dry with an absorbent towel (preferably cotton) to remove excess water and leave it air dry. If they are in a rush and have to use a blow dryer, they must remember to keep it on low heat because too much heat will weaken the bond and cause the extension to slip.
More Maintenance Tips on After Swimming With Extensions
How can you swim with hair extensions and properly maintain them? Here are more tips that are not just beneficial for swimming with hair extensions. You may also get your clients to follow them for daily hair protection.
1. Protect Extension Hair and Bonds from the Sun
Can you swim with hair extensions? Sure, you can. But how about a sunbath? Sure, the client can let the sun tone your skin, not her hair or too many UV rays will cause the hair to look dull and its color to fade.
Suppose your client has had a swim and comes out of the water to enjoy some sunshine. If that is the case, even worse, the sun will make the hair more susceptible to damage from chlorine or saltwater.
Be sure to get your client to apply UV protection sprays to shield her hair from sun damage.
2. Maintenance Appointments
Regular check-ins with a stylist throughout the summer months are advisable. They are the ones who will provide professional treatments and adjustments to keep hair extensions in optimal condition.
3. Never Sleep With Chlorine in Your Hair
Is it bad to sleep with chlorine in your hair? Yes. Sleeping with chlorine in your hair can cause severe dryness and damage. Chlorine continues to affect your hair as it sits, stripping away natural oils and weakening the strands. Always rinse and condition your hair thoroughly before going to bed after swimming.
4. Use the Best Swimmer Shampoos
Can you swim with hair extensions? Yes. But the hair must be washed properly after. Swimmers should use shampoos formulated specifically to remove chlorine and salt buildup. These shampoos contain chelating agents that cleanse the hair without stripping its natural oils. A good swimmer shampoo is sulfate-free to prevent dryness and maintain the integrity of your extensions.
5. Use the Best Hair Masks
Deep conditioning masks are essential to combat the drying effects of chlorine and saltwater. How can you swim with hair extensions and with proper protection? Look for masks with nourishing ingredients like shea butter, aloe vera, and silk proteins. Use the mask once a week to keep your extensions soft and shiny.
6. Use the Best Leave-in Conditioners
Using high-quality leave-in conditioners is crucial for maintaining your extension hair. Products specifically designed for extensions, typically sulfate-free and enriched with hydrating ingredients like argan oil and keratin, help detangle, moisturize, and protect your hair from environmental damage.
Can You Swim With Upgraded Newtimes Hair Extensions?
Ordinary hair extensions, especially synthetic hair extensions often undergo acid treatment and coloring, which makes them prone to frizz and tangling, especially with frequent swimming. How can you swim with hair extensions with less maintenance required? Newtimes Hair’s upgraded Remy hair extensions retain 100% of their cuticles. This means your client can swim without any worries—the hair will stay smooth, shiny, and free from dryness and frizz (but make sure they are well maintained after swimming).
Conclusion
Can you swim with hair extensions in the ocean, a pool, or freshwater? Yes, but you need to know what water you can swim in with what type of extensions, with appropriate preparation and post-swim care. By following this post, you or your client can enjoy swimming through the summer.
RELATED:
- 9 Hair Extension Care Tips That Make Your Client’s Extensions Last
- How to Store Hair Extensions Properly
- Care for Tape in Extensions
- Upgraded Newtimes Hair Extensions
Frequently Asked Questions on Hair Extension Care
What can’t you do with hair extensions?
Try to stay away from products like wax, gel, mousse, or hairspray. They can damage extension hair by drying it and causing tangles. These products can also clog up hair extensions, so extensions won’t last for too long. If you or your client must use these styling products, ensure they are alcohol-free to prevent drying and damage. Wash the hair, but not too often.
What happens if you leave hair extensions wet?
Tell your clients to never do that. As described in the article, if the person comes out of the pool or the ocean and doesn’t wash her extensions properly, the chlorine or salt water will continue harming the hair and the bond. If the hair isn’t dried properly after washing and before bed, then the whole night’s sleep could get the hair tangled up. Let your client know that they should dry their hair properly before bed.
What are the best hair extensions for swimmers?
When swimming with hair extensions, human hair extensions are much better than their synthetic counterparts. Bonding-wise, the best are beaded and weft hair extensions, which don’t easily slip off. Their beads and threads physically hold the natural and extension hair together in a solid bond that is hard to detach. Tape-ins and fusion extensions are also considered among the best extensions for swimming due to their bonding strength. However, swimming too frequently or staying too long in the water will cause the chlorine and sea water to weaken the bond.
How to protect hair extensions in chlorine?
What’s introduced in the article on “can you swim with hair extensions?” is the most detailed guide. You can basically follow them for the best-possible method for protection. It’s basically about giving the extension hair a good brush from the ends, working your way toward mid lengths. Braid or tie the hair up into a ponytail. Then use leave-in conditioner, which serves as a protection shield that protects the hair against the chlorine.
