For a long time, my hair routine didn’t require much thought. I used what I liked. I washed when it felt necessary. I didn’t think about how products interacted with each other or whether small habits added up over time.

That changed once I started wearing tape-in extensions.

I didn’t overhaul my haircare routine all at once. I kept doing what I’d always done at first. Same shampoo. Same brush. Same leave-in products. It took a while to realize that what had worked before wasn’t working the same way anymore.

The adjustments didn’t come from the install or the maintenance appointments. They showed up in the in-between moments. In the shower. In how I brushed my hair. In the products I used without thinking much about placement or buildup.

Those were the things that ended up mattering.

Part of why I got extensions in the first place is that I have thyroid issues and, as I got older, my hair stopped growing the way it used to. It thinned out overall and no amount of products, vitamins or time really changed that. Tape-in extensions ended up being one of the best decisions I’ve made. They gave me back fullness and length, but more than that, they gave me confidence. Many people are surprised when they find out I have extensions because they are blended into my hair really well (thanks to Linda, my hair stylist and dear friend).

I didn’t expect the day-to-day care to matter as much as it did. The products I used, how often I washed, how I brushed and where I applied things all added up over time.

This is what I’ve noticed along the way and what has worked for me.

Taking Care of Hair Extensions

Once I had extensions, I had to be more mindful of how I treated my hair day to day. That mostly meant slowing down and being more consistent. I’m careful with where products go and I don’t overload my hair. I keep conditioner and masks on the mid-lengths and ends. I brush gently, especially when my hair is wet. I pay attention to buildup near the roots and don’t ignore it. Those basics are what keep extensions looking good between appointments.

How Often to Replace Hair Extensions

How long extensions last depends on the type of extensions and how they’re cared for.

With tape-ins, the hair itself can usually be reused for several months. The tapes are replaced more often, but the hair doesn’t need to be replaced every time it’s moved up.

I know it’s time to replace the hair when it starts looking dry no matter what I use, doesn’t blend the way it used to, starts slipping down unevenly or feels worn at the ends even after a trim. At that point, replacing them makes everything easier again.

The Best Shampoos and Conditioners for Hair Extensions

I stick to shampoos that clean well without stripping and moisturize without weighing my hair down. That balance matters whether someone wears tape-ins like I do or keratin bonds, hand-tied wefts or clip-ins.

I mostly avoid clarifying shampoos because they dry extension hair out quickly (but when I do use one, I use the Ouai Detox Shampoo only on my roots). I also stay away from overly rich formulas that leave residue behind. That buildup happens slowly and you don’t always notice it right away, especially around attachment points. Instead I look for sulfate-free shampoos that rinse clean and leave the hair soft rather than squeaky.

Conditioner matters just as much as shampoo, but placement matters more than the formula. I only apply it from the mid-lengths down, and I keep it away from the tape.

These are the shampoos and conditioners I consistently use with my extensions:

How Often I Wash My Hair With Extensions

I’ve learned that washing my hair too often can be damaging to my extensions (they also take extra time to dry) and waiting too long to wash them leads to buildup at the scalp and attachment points.

Since getting my tape-in extensions, I usually wash my hair twice or three times a week depending on whether I’ve been working out more or using heavier styling products. That cadence keeps my scalp comfortable without drying out the extensions themselves.

I do use dry shampoo to stretch time between washes, but I’m selective. Most aerosol dry shampoos I’ve tried have been very drying and leave a film on my hair. That residue builds up quickly and makes my hair feel stiff near the roots.

The only dry shampoo I consistently use by Crown Affair. I apply it with the attached applicator just at the crown of my head where oil shows up first. It absorbs oil without leaving that chalky feel and doesn’t make my hair feel heavy.

The Best Detanglers and Leave-In Hair Products for Hair Extensions

I rely on detanglers when my hair is wet to make brushing easier, but I’m selective because this is where extension issues tend to start. The same is true for leave-in products. I stick to lightweight formulas and apply them only to the mid-lengths and ends. With both, a small amount goes a long way.

These are the detanglers and leave-in hair styling products that I love:

The Best Deep Conditioning Products for Hair Extensions

Conditioning your hair matters even more once you have extensions. Extension hair doesn’t receive natural oils from the scalp, so it dries out faster and shows wear sooner if it’s not cared for consistently. This is one of the areas where small lapses add up quickly. I keep this part of my routine simple and pay attention to how my hair feels rather than following a set schedule.

When my hair feels dry, I use the Olaplex Weightless Nourishing Mask and keep it focused on the mid-lengths and ends.

When my hair needs deeper moisture, I use a Kérastase mask from the Nutritive line, again applying it only to the ends and being mindful not to overdo it.

The Best Brushes for Hair Extensions

Most extension damage I’ve had came from brushing my hair without being careful or not using a brush especially made for extensions. Now I stick to brushes with flexible bristles and very little resistance. I start at the ends and work my way up slowly. These are the brushes that have worked for me:

What Actually Makes the Difference When it Comes to Caring for Hair Extensions

The biggest difference for me in having extensions came from paying attention to how my hair responded and making adjustments over time. Hair is a big part of how I feel, and when it looks and feels right, everything else feels easier. That showed up in the products I used, how often I washed and how I handled my hair between appointments.

As time went on, I noticed I was doing things differently. Certain products made my hair feel better. Some habits made everything easier. Others didn’t work anymore so I stopped using them.

I didn’t change everything at once. I adjusted when something felt off and left the rest alone. Once those choices stayed consistent, the routine took less effort.

Eventually, my extensions stopped feeling like something I needed to manage separately. They just felt like my hair.