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Dyeing hair extensions can completely transform your look, whether you want to match your natural hair color or go for a bold, vibrant shade. While it’s best to have extensions colored professionally, it is possible to safely dye hair extensions at home.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to dye human hair and synthetic extensions yourself. Follow these tips and tricks for stunning, long-lasting color.

Can You Dye Hair Extensions At Home? hair and synthetic fiber extensions can both be dyed, but the process and results vary significantly.

Dyeing Human Hair Extensions

Human hair extensions are made from real human hair, just like the hair on your head. This means they can be dyed, lightened, and chemically treated just like natural hair.

When dyeing human hair extensions:

• Use professional salon-quality hair dye. Avoid boxed dyes which can damage extensions.
• Always do a strand test first to ensure even color absorption.
• Apply dye gently from roots to ends and follow timing directions closely.
• Thoroughly rinse, deep condition, detangle, and air dry after dyeing.

With proper products and techniques, you can achieve beautiful, vibrant color at home with human hair extensions.

Dyeing Synthetic Hair Extensions

Synthetic fiber extensions are made from man-made materials like kanekalon. Synthetic hair does not readily absorb dye, so achieving even, long-lasting color at home is very difficult.

There are a few options for dyeing synthetic extensions:

• Purchase pre-dyed synthetic extensions in your desired shade.
• Use special synth-hair dye formulated for synthetic fibers. Color results will be subtle.
• Submerge extensions in boiling hot dye bath for 30 minutes. This is risky and can damage hair.

Overall, dyeing synthetic extensions yourself is tricky. For best results, opt for pre-dyed synthetic extensions from a reputable brand.

How To Dye Human Hair Extensions At Home

Follow these simple steps for salon-worthy hair color:

1. Choose a Semi-Permanent Dye

Semi-permanent dye offers vivid color that gradually washes out over 4-8 weeks. It’s gentler than permanent dye and won’t damage extensions.

Avoid permanent boxed dyes which contain harsh chemicals like peroxide that dry out human hair.

Good options for dyeing human hair extensions include:

• Ion Brilliance Semi-Permanent Creme Hair Color
• Adore Semi-Permanent Hair Color
• Lime Crime Unicorn Hair Semi-Permanent Hair Dye

Look for dye specially formulated for dark hair if your extensions are brown or black.

2. Do a Strand Test

Before dyeing your entire set of extensions, do a strand test to check color results.

Take a few pieces of hair from the bundle and dye following package directions. This predicts how the color will take overall so you can adjust if needed.

3. Section and Detangle Extensions

Detangling before dyeing is crucial to prevent matting and achieve even coverage.

Use a wide-tooth comb or wet brush and gently separate extensions into sections. Take your time to fully detangle each section.

4. Mix and Apply Dye

Follow instructions to mix dye and developer in a ratio of 1:1 or 1:2. Wear gloves and use a tint brush to apply dye from roots to ends.

Spread sections flat and saturate each strand thoroughly. Wrap sections in foil after applying dye.

5. Process and Rinse

Process the dye according to package directions, checking occasionally for desired shade. Rinse under warm water until clear.

Gently shampoo and condition extensions after color processing is complete. Finger detangle again and air dry hair completely.

6. Repeat for Stubborn Areas

If any areas didn’t take color evenly, reapply dye only to those sections. Wrap in foil and process again as needed for full, even color.

How To Dye Synthetic Hair Extensions

Achieving natural-looking, lasting dye jobs on synthetic fibers at home can be very tricky:

• Purchase pre-dyed synthetic extensions in your desired color for best results.
• Alternatively, use a wig-specific dye like Formula4 or Unicorn Hair in hot water following instructions carefully.
• Submerge extensions in boiling hot dye bath for 15-30 minutes. This can permanently damage synthetic hair.
• Spot-test small sections first and never exceed 15 minutes to avoid melting the fibers.
• Harsh chemicals like bleach and permanent dyes will ruin synthetic extensions.

The limited absorptive properties of synthetic fibers compared to human hair makes at-home dye jobs extremely challenging. Consider leaving dye jobs on synthetic extensions to the professionals for best results.

Tips For Dyeing Hair Extensions At Home

Follow these handy tips and tricks for at-home dyeing success:

Use Foil For Mess-Free Dyeing

Wrap each section of extensions in aluminum foil after applying dye. The foil keeps dye from rubbing off and staining. It also helps body heat process the color faster.

Dampen Extensions Beforehand

Pre-dampening extensions allows them to absorb dye more evenly. Mist hair with water and towel dry just until damp before applying color.

Divide Hair Into Four Sections

It’s easiest to dye extensions by separating them into four quadrants – divide hair from side to side and top to bottom. Apply dye one section at a time.

Apply Vaseline Around Hairline

Use a cotton swab to lightly coat your hairline in Vaseline or petroleum jelly before dyeing. This prevents staining on your skin or natural hair.

Tint Eyebrows and Lashes With Petroleum Jelly

If dyeing extensions a bold color like bright red or platinum blonde, coat your eyebrows and eyelashes in Vaseline so they don’t get tinted by the dye.

Process Under Heat For Vibrant Color

Sit under a hooded hair dryer to process the dye and develop richer, more intense color saturation. Check frequently to avoid overprocessing.

Rinse Until Water Runs Clear

Rinseextensions for 5-10 minutes under warm running water, until the water runs completely clear of excess dye. This ensures you won’t transfer color onto your clothes or sheets.

Deep Condition After Dyeing

Always deep condition extensions after rinsing out dye to restore moisture and smoothness. Air dry fully before curling or applying heat tools.

Stick To Darker Shades For Less Damage

If going darker than your natural shade, opt for black, brown, or other rich but dark shades. Dark dyes are gentler and won’t require lightening or bleaching.

Should You Dye Extensions Professionally?

While it’s possible to dye extensions at home, having them professionally colored offers some key advantages:

• Expertise: Stylists are skilled at precisely matching extensions to your natural hair color. Their knowledge ensures even saturation and color development.
• Product Access: Salons use high quality professional dyes you can’t purchase at retail. These dyes offer stunning results and less damage.
• Efficiency: Stylists work quicker and dye multiple bundles in foils simultaneously for faster turnaround. The entire process takes mere hours versus days.
• Special Effects: Professionals can achieve tricky techniques like ombre, balayage, vivid rainbow colors or pixie toning. These are very challenging to DIY.
• Aftercare: Salons give your extensions specialized aftercare like bond building and reconstructive treatments to improve their quality and longevity.

If you want 100% guaranteed color-matching, even dye saturation and vibrant results with no hassle or mistakes, professional dyeing is best. But dyeing extensions at home can save money if you feel up to the challenge.

Caring For Dyed Hair Extensions

Dyed hair requires some special TLC to keep color looking vibrant. Follow these aftercare tips:

Use Sulfate-Free Shampoo and Conditioner

Sulfate-free formulas help retain hair color longer. Always shampoo gently and limit washing to 2-3 times per week.

Rinse With Cool Water

Warm water opens the hair cuticle, causing dye to fade out faster. Rinsing with cool water after shampooing locks in color.

Apply Weekly Conditioning Treatments

Use a weekly hair mask or deep conditioner to boost moisture and keep dyed extensions soft and manageable.

Use Color-Safe Styling Products

Avoid alcohol-based mousses, gels, and sprays that can dry out hair and fade color faster. Opt for color-safe heat protectants and finishing sprays.

Protect From Sun, Chlorine, and Heat Styling

UV rays, pool chemicals, and heat damage from hot tools can all accelerate color fading. Always protect dyed extensions when outdoors and use heat styling minimally.

Get Gloss Treatments Between Dye Jobs

Refresh color between full dye jobs by getting semi-permanent glossing treatments. These restore vibrancy and deposit color pigments without fully re-dyeing.

Common Questions About Dyeing Extensions

How often can you re-dye extensions?

Limit full dye jobs on human hair extensions to every 8-12 weeks. Too much overlapping dye causes buildup and damage.

Can you just dye the roots?

It’s best to re-dye lengths as well as roots each session for uniform color. But you can touch up roots only between full dye jobs as needed.

Does dye wash out of human hair extensions?

Semi-permanent dye will gradually fade after 4-8 washes. Permanent color is longer lasting, but will still fade slightly over time.

Can you dye only part of the extensions?

Yes, you can dye only certain sections for a fun ombre look. Use foils to separate hair and apply dye only where desired.

Should you dye extensions lighter or darker than natural hair?

It’s safest to go darker than your natural level to avoid extra lightening. But you can go a shade lighter if you use permanent dye with low peroxide.

In Summary

Dyeing extensions opens up tons of fun possibilities for changing up your hairstyle. While human hair and synthetic fibers have very different dye absorption properties, both can be colored for dramatic transformation.

Follow the tips outlined to dye extensions at home safely. Consider having extensions professionally colored for foolproof results and to protect the quality of high-end human hair.

With the right tools and techniques, you can successfully achieve vibrant, gorgeous color for beautiful dyed extensions. Show off your new look with hairstyles that really make those fresh colors pop!