You’ve been loving your extensions, but now your brush catches more often, your volume has vanished, and your stylist is giving you that look. If it’s been more than 6 to 9 months—or even sooner with heavy wear—it might be time to refresh your hair.
Old extensions don’t just look tired. They can dull your entire look. When the volume fades or the texture shifts, it can throw off your confidence and your daily styling routine. Let’s help you spot the signs before they disrupt your day to day.
Extensions don’t last forever. But knowing exactly when to replace them can mean the difference between flawless confidence and lifeless locks. Let’s break it down into 9 signs it's time for a new set of extensions.
1. Your Extensions Have Lost Length Over Time
Extensions shed and thin with daily wear, brushing, and heat styling. Combine that with regular trims to manage split ends, and you can lose 2 to 3 inches over a few months.
2. Major Discoloration or Fading
Greenish undertones from chlorine, orange tones from hard water, or excessive brassiness? Your extensions are likely reacting to minerals or toning products. Unlike your natural hair, extensions don’t regenerate and are harder to color-correct.
3. Matted & Tangled from Dryness or Buildup
Tangles at the nape, matting near the seams, and hair that clumps when damp? There’s a couple reasons you could be experiencing this. Dryness from too much heat styling, and product buildup causes the cuticle layer to roughen and tangle. Or low quality hair extensions.
While this may seem common with some extension brands, it shouldn't be. At Couture Hair Co., we specifically designed our extensions to avoid these issues. Our founder and stylists were tired of dealing with poor-quality hair and damaging installs from other brands. Couture extensions are designed for softness, longevity, and seamless blends so matting should never be the norm.
4. Dull, Sticky, or "Waxy" Texture
Hair that feels oily or tacky, even after a fresh wash, often suffers from product overload. Overuse of oils, dry shampoo, or silicones can create buildup that resists normal cleansing.
5. Your Hair is Unmanageable - No Hold, No Style
If your hair won’t hold a curl, always looks frizzy, or resists styling tools, the structural integrity may be breaking down. Old extensions don’t respond the same way to heat or product.
6. Visible Slippage or Weft Loosening
If wefts are hanging low, slipping out of place, or becoming visible in updos, the bond has weakened or grown out. This affects comfort, appearance, and wear time.
7. You Want to Change Your Hair Color or Texture
You’re ready to go lighter, deeper, or curlier, but your extensions won’t lift like your natural hair. Instead of risking damage or an uneven tone, start with a new set.
8. Thinning, Shedding, or Balding Areas
Excessive shedding and damage to the natural hair shouldn't happen with the right install method. Couture Hair Co. exists because our stylists were tired of seeing clients suffer damage from subpar extension systems. Our damage-conscious methods are designed to support natural hair health while delivering the glam you deserve.
9. Your Stylist Says It’s Time
Even if everything looks okay to you, your stylist can see the wear you can’t. Wefts swelling, ends thinning, or bonds deteriorating? Trust your stylist.
So How Long Should Hair Extensions Last?
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K-Tips: 3 to 6 months
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Micro Wefts: 6 to 12 months (with professional care and regular move-ups)
Home-Care Checklist to Maximize Extension Life
Daily:
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Brush 2 to 3x daily with extension-safe brush like the wet/dry detangling brush
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Use a lightweight oil on mid lengths to ends to keep extensions hydrated
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Avoid excessive heat when styling. The less heat, the longer the life of the extensions. We recommend only using heat tools 1-2 times per week and not on the daily.
Weekly:
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Wash 1 to 2x with sulfate-free shampoo
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Deep condition from mid-lengths to ends
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Blow dry roots fully to prevent bond weakening
Monthly:
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Clarify buildup
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Trim ends if needed
Time for a Refresh? Upgrade Your Extensions
Don’t wait until your extensions are dull and lifeless. If you’ve checked 1 or more of these signs, it’s time to upgrade to a new set of premium extensions.
Shop Couture Extensions for matched tones, tailored lengths, and zero guesswork. Whether you want volume, color, hair to match your natural texture, or a full glow-up, we’ve got the hair that works for your lifestyle.
FAQ
How long do extensions last?
Anywhere from 6 to 12 months+ depending on type, care, and wear habits.
How do I remove buildup from extensions?
Use a clarifying shampoo monthly and follow with a conditioning mask.
Can I dye my old extensions?
It’s risky. Older hair may not color evenly or hold onto the color as long. Fresh extensions matched to your new tone are safer.
Do extensions damage your real hair?
Not when installed and maintained professionally. Skipping move-ups or improper care can cause damage.
Do textured extensions last as long as straight hair?
Textured extensions (like wavy or curly hair) undergo more processing to achieve their pattern, which can slightly shorten their lifespan compared to straight hair. With proper care, they still offer beautiful, long-lasting results, but may need to be replaced a bit sooner to maintain their bounce, definition, and integrity.
xoxo,
Couture Hair Co.
