The do's and don'ts of hair extensions.

The do's and don'ts of hair extensions come down to three habits: brush gently from the ends up, wash two or three times a week, and keep conditioner off the bonds. At OLLIN Beverly Hills we install K-tips, I-tips, tape-ins and wefts and go over upkeep for your method at the consultation. Call (424) 204-9095 to book.

Do and don'ts of hair extensions?

Do brush your extensions gently from the ends up, wash two or three times a week with a sulfate-free shampoo, and keep conditioner and oils off the bonds or tape. Don't sleep on wet hair, don't flip your head upside down to wash, and don't skip maintenance visits. Braid your hair loosely or use a silk pillowcase at night to cut friction, use a heat protectant before hot tools, and dry the attachment points fully after every wash. If an install hurts or gives you a headache, the American Academy of Dermatology says it is too tight, so ask your stylist to loosen it.

Can I wash my hair every day if I have extensions?

No, washing every day is not recommended with extensions. Extension hair gets none of your scalp's natural oils, so it dries out faster, and frequent washing loosens tape and bonds. Most extension guides put the ceiling at two or three washes a week, and one or two for tape-ins and micro-rings. Use dry shampoo at the roots in between. If your scalp needs a daily wash, clip-ins or a halo suit you better, because you take them out first. After a new install, wait 48 hours before the first shampoo.

Do hair extensions get thicker after washing?

Hair extensions often look thicker after the first wash, but no hair is added. New extensions leave the factory with a light silicone coating that presses the strands flat and glossy, and washing it off lets the hair separate and relax into its real texture and wave. It settles after two or three washes. If a set looks thinner or starts to mat after washing instead, a heavy coating may have been hiding damaged hair. Clip-ins and wefts are often washed once before they are worn; bonded and tape sets stay dry until they are installed.

How to tell if someone is wearing extensions?

You can usually tell someone is wearing extensions from a bond, track or tape that shows when the hair moves, ends that look as thick as the roots, or a break in color, shine or texture partway down. Natural hair thins gradually toward the ends, and poorly blended extensions keep the same density all the way down. Clip-ins can leave a ridge at the crown. A good install hides each of these: attachments sit under your own hair, the hair is color-matched to yours, and the ends are cut into your shape.

Are hair extensions still popular in 2026?

Yes, hair extensions are still popular in 2026, but the look has moved from obvious length to natural volume. The methods people ask for are lighter ones, such as tape-ins, small keratin or I-tip bonds and flat wefts, chosen to add fullness that reads as your own hair and to go easier on the scalp. Color blending matters most, because a natural result fails the moment the shade is off. Our hair extensions in Beverly Hills are color-matched to your lived-in color.

Should I get extensions if my hair is thinning?

You can get extensions with thinning hair, but only a light method, and only once you know why the hair is thinning. Heavy or tight extensions add weight and pull on fragile strands, and the American Academy of Dermatology lists extensions among the causes of traction alopecia, hair loss from pulling that can become permanent. Tape-ins, halos and some flat wefts spread the weight more evenly. If your part is widening or you are shedding more than usual, see a dermatologist first. Extensions cover thinning; they don't treat it.

What are the big 3 for thinning hair?

The "big 3" for thinning hair is a hair-loss forum nickname for minoxidil, finasteride and ketoconazole shampoo, used together against pattern hair loss. The American Academy of Dermatology says minoxidil can stimulate growth and slow loss and is commonly recommended for female pattern hair loss, and that finasteride is FDA-approved for male pattern hair loss. Each can have side effects and finasteride carries a pregnancy warning, so a dermatologist should decide which, if any, suit you. A salon's part is cosmetic: lighter extensions, or a cut and color that make fine hair look fuller.

What are the top 5 hair extension brands?

Five brands come up again and again in 2026 roundups of professional hair extensions: Great Lengths, Bellami, Hairdreams, Hotheads and Luxy Hair. Great Lengths and Hairdreams are known for keratin bonds, Hotheads for tape-ins, and Bellami and Luxy for clip-ins and a wide shade range. There is no official ranking, and the method, the hair quality and the install matter more than the label. At OLLIN Beverly Hills we work with LINEONE, The Hair Shop, Bellami and Great Lengths; Kyra McCaffrey specializes in luxury extensions and Grace Zip in custom micro K-tips and tape-ins.

To plan extensions, call (424) 204-9095. We're at 8912 W Olympic Blvd, open Tuesday to Saturday, 7am to 6pm. Book at OLLIN Beverly Hills →