Have the ends of your blonde hair extensions turned orange? Why are hair extensions more prone to this during the summer months or while on vacation? Most importantly: Is there a solution so you can continue to enjoy your flawless hair extensions?
Hair extensions are stripped of their natural color so they can then be dyed the desired shade. Because of this chemical process, contact with certain skincare products—such as moisturizers and sunscreens that contain beta-carotene and similar substances—can be particularly problematic for blonde extensions. The UVA filter in SPF sunscreens can transfer its own color to fabrics—and, unfortunately, to hair extensions as well. This results in an orange tint on blonde hair extensions. Therefore, extreme caution is advised when using certain sunscreens. Pay close attention to the instructions on the packaging. Some products even explicitly warn about this, while others provide a general warning: “May cause permanent contact stains on textiles and surfaces.”
Important: For light-colored extensions (light brown, light red, and blonde), avoid any contact with sunscreen products whenever possible!
Precautions:
- Before applying sunscreen to your skin: Treat the ends of your hair with hair oil. This prevents the sunscreen’s ingredients from penetrating the hair.
- Use sunscreen products that do not indicate a risk of discoloration and/or color transfer.
- Allow the sunscreen to absorb completely—remove any excess cream with a cloth if necessary.
- Tie your hair back and pin it up (no skin contact)
It’s happened—is there a solution?
Unfortunately, there isn’t really any. The discoloration is very difficult or impossible to remove and cannot be washed out.
Another (summer) tip:
Avoid swimming in chlorinated or saltwater whenever possible.
In general, we recommend avoiding swimming as much as possible when wearing extensions, or tying your hair back and pinning it up before swimming. Prolonged contact with water chemicals can weaken the extensions. In addition to certain skin creams and sunscreens, chlorinated water in swimming pools or sea salt—in combination with heat—can cause hair extensions to discolor, the condition of your hair to deteriorate, and the extensions to lose their shine. If your hair does get wet, be sure to rinse it thoroughly with our shampoo and conditioner after swimming. You can find more information on the ideal care for hair extensions here -> Care Tips.