A few tangles at the ends are normal. Matting at the root — where hair knots around the attachment — is not, and it's the thing extension wearers dread most. The good news is that it's almost always preventable.
Why extensions tangle
Extensions tangle for the same reasons natural hair does, with a couple of extras:
- Shed natural hair. You naturally shed hair every day. With extensions, those strands can get caught near the attachment instead of falling away — and if they're not brushed out, they knot.
- Dryness. Dry hair has a rougher cuticle that catches on neighbouring strands.
- Friction. Rubbing against pillows, scarves, seatbelts and collars roughs up the hair.
- Moisture left at the root. Damp wefts are a common cause of matting.
- Hair quality. Hair without an intact cuticle, or hair coated in silicone that wears off, tangles much faster.
1. Brush properly, every day
Daily brushing is the single most important habit. Brush morning and night, in sections, starting at the ends and holding your hair above the attachment. This removes shed hair before it can knot. Step by step: how to brush hair extensions without damaging them.
Use a brush that gets through tangles and smooths at the same time — a boar bristle and nylon blend does both.
2. Brush before every wash
Water tightens tangles. Always brush thoroughly before washing.
3. Keep conditioner away from the root
Apply conditioner to the mid-lengths and ends only, and rinse thoroughly — with more hair, it takes longer. Leftover product near the weft can cause build-up and matting. Our washing guide covers it.
4. Dry the roots completely
Never leave the tops of your extensions damp. After washing, and after sweating at the gym or in a sauna, dry the root area thoroughly on a low heat.
5. Keep your hair hydrated
Use a leave-in conditioner with heat protection, and treat the ends to a deep conditioning masque weekly or as needed. Hydrated hair has a smoother cuticle and tangles less.
6. Protect your hair while you sleep
Never sleep with wet hair. Brush before bed, then tie your hair in a loose braid or low ponytail. A silk or satin pillowcase reduces friction. See how to sleep with extensions.
7. Avoid salt water and chlorine
Salt water dehydrates hair and can leave extensions extremely dry and hard to manage — avoid it. If you swim in chlorine, rinse thoroughly straight afterwards.
8. Tie your hair back for sport
Exercise creates friction and sweat at the root. A loose ponytail or braid keeps hair contained, and you'll need to dry the roots afterwards.
9. Keep up with maintenance
As your natural hair grows, your extensions sit further from the scalp, and more shed hair can collect at the attachment. Maintenance appointments every 6 to 8 weeks keep everything sitting where it should.
If you already have a knot
- Don't pull. Hold the hair above the knot.
- Apply a little leave-in conditioner.
- Ease the knot apart gently with your fingers, working from the bottom.
- Brush from the ends up once it's loosened.
- If it's matted right at the attachment, see your extension stylist rather than forcing it.
The short version
Brush daily from the ends up, keep conditioner off the roots, dry the roots fully, never sleep on wet hair, and avoid salt water. Do those five things and tangles become rare.
Shop the Mane Baby brush, designed for extension wearers.