You packed SPF. Don’t forget your hair protection plan
Your flights are booked, your bikinis are packed, and your out-of-office is officially on. But before you cannonball into that infinity pool like the main character you are—let’s have a quick heart-to-hair chat.
Because babe, extensions are a luxury. And chlorine, saltwater, and mystery sunscreen residue? Yeah… those are not part of the glam squad. They’re more like the toxic exes of summer—leaving behind brittle ends, slippery bonds, and the dreaded green-tinged hair that absolutely no one asked for.
You’ve invested in a good set of human hair extensions (aka your personality right now). So no, we are not just throwing them into pool water and hoping for the best.
The good news? You don’t need to stay landlocked or miss a single beach day. With the right prep, a little strategy, and a few tricks from the extension pros (hi, us), you can absolutely swim, sunbathe, and snap selfies without sacrificing your strands.
Keep reading for the ultimate game plan to protect your hair, keep your bonds tight, and avoid post-swim regret. Because extensions can swim too, just not without a plan.
Pre-swim prep checklist—Protect first, splash later
Water isn’t your enemy, but it can be your extensions’ worst nightmare if you dive in unprepared. Here’s exactly how to shield your strands before that beach or pool moment.
1. Drench your hair (before the pool does)
Saturate your hair with fresh, clean water before getting in. Why? Dry extensions are basically a sponge for chlorine and salt—and neither of those are cute. Pre-wetting fills the hair cuticle, so there’s less room for harsh stuff to soak in.
Top tip: Keep a reusable water bottle filled with fresh water in your beach tote for quick top-ups.
2. Layer on leave-in conditioner or a mask
Think of this as sunscreen for your strands. A rich hair mask or leave-in conditioner acts like a barrier between your extensions and the elements—locking in moisture, blocking out chemicals, and making post-swim detangling way easier.
Hot tip: Use a mask that’s safe for human hair extensions (not all are!). Bonus if it has UV protection.
3. Skip the loose waves—tie it up instead
Loose, flowing beach waves? STUN-ning. Until they turn into a matted, tangled mess mid-swim. Keep your extensions safe and secure with a low braid, high bun, or bubble pony. Not only does this help prevent tangling—it minimizes water exposure at the roots (where bonds live).
Need inspo? Braided buns, boxer braids, and bubble braids are all extension-friendly and beach-approved.
4. Wear a (cute) swim cap—or wrap it up
Okay, okay, we get it: swim caps are NOT the vibe. But if you’re doing laps or going underwater, a silicone swim cap is your best friend. If not? A silk scarf or cute printed wrap is a low-key way to keep your hair tied up and protected. Plus, it’s totally trending right now—so why not?
Tip: Look for swim caps made for long or thick hair—they’ll fit over your extensions without tugging.
5. Keep sunscreen off your strands
You’ve probably heard horror stories about green hair from the pool, but pink-tinged extensions from sunscreen? Also very real. Chemical-heavy SPF (especially those with avobenzone) can react with blond extensions and cause discoloration. Cry.
Solution: Apply sunscreen before doing your hair. Wash your hands before styling. And keep SPF sprays away from your head. Believe us.
What happens if you swim with extensions (without the prep)
So, you dove in—iconic. But now your extensions are salty, sun-soaked, and maybe a little suspicious.
Here’s what’s really going on under the surface.
1. Chlorine can weaken your bonds
Chlorine doesn’t just dry things out—it can mess with adhesives. Think: tape-ins slipping, bonds loosening, clips shifting. Repeated exposure without protection? Expect your extensions to start detaching mid-trip. Sad, but true.
2. Green hair is not a myth
That weird green tinge on blonde hair? Blame copper in the pool water oxidizing with chlorine. It clings to lighter extensions and doesn’t always wash out with shampoo. Once it sets, you’ll need a clarifying treatment or chelating shampoo to fix it. Prevention is way easier, trust.
3. Saltwater = dry, tangled chaos
Salt strips hair of moisture fast, and extensions don’t have natural oils to fight back. That beachy wave turns into a crunchy knot-fest by dinner. And detangling salt-dried extensions? Major risk of damage and breakage.
4. UV rays fade and fry
The sun is cute, but it’s low-key fading your color while breaking down your bonds. That buttery blonde or rich brunette tone? It’ll look brassy and dull if you don’t shield it. UV damage also makes adhesive less reliable over time. Yikes.
5. Sunscreen stains are real
Yes, your SPF is important—but it can stain your extensions, especially if they’re platinum or ash blonde. The result? Random pink or peachy patches that look like accidental color jobs. Use mineral SPF or tie your hair up before application.
Next we’ll give you your post-swim recovery plan. Because even if you didn’t prep, you can still bounce back—and babe, we’ve got you.
How to care for hair extensions after swimming
You swam. You slayed. Now your extensions need a little TLC. Here’s what to do the second you towel off.
1. Rinse immediately
Don’t wait. Rinse your hair ASAP with fresh, cool water to wash out salt, chlorine, and product buildup. Even if you can’t do a full wash right away, this quick rinse helps prevent long-term damage and that dreaded crunchy texture.
2. Shampoo with care
Use a sulfate-free, extension-safe shampoo like this one we swear by. Massage gently at the scalp with your fingertips, not nails—avoid rubbing the extensions. Focus on cleansing the roots and letting the product rinse through the lengths.
3. Always condition (but skip the roots)
Apply conditioner from mid-length to ends only—this hydrates without loosening any bonds. Try our Extension Conditioner for a formula that softens and smooths without making hair slippery at the roots. Leave it in for 3–5 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
4. Gently detangle with a wide-tooth comb
Start from the ends and work your way up, section by section. Hold your extensions at the base to avoid tugging. For stubborn knots, use a leave-in spray or detangling mist to glide through with less breakage.
5. Air dry when you can—or use low heat
Towel dry with a microfiber towel (no rubbing!) and let hair air dry whenever possible. If you need to speed things up, blow dry on a cool setting using a diffuser or nozzle to direct airflow downward. And ALWAYS use heat protectant if you’re reaching for hot tools after.
6. Bring a backup plan
Your beach look doesn’t always need to rely on full glam extensions. If you’re not swimming but still want a vibe, pack a removable hair topper for a fuss-free switch-up. Pop it off before the pool, slick your natural hair into a low bun, throw on a hat, and boom—effortless, chic, and protected. (We may be biased, but ours are a go-to for that exact reason.)
The ultimate extension-safe travel kit
You’ve booked the trip. You’ve planned the fits. But have you packed smart for your hair extensions? These are the non-negotiables we throw in our bags every. single. time. And yep—we added one of our faves (not sorry).
1. A sulfate-free shampoo & conditioner duo
Choose one made specifically for extensions—no harsh detergents allowed. Our Extension Shampoo and Extension Conditioner are travel-bag legends: lightweight, bond-safe, and made for human hair TLC.
2. A detangling brush or wide-tooth comb
Beach breeze + boat rides = tangles. A good brush keeps knots under control without tugging your bonds loose. Look for one with looped bristles or a flexible paddle head.
3. Leave-in conditioner or UV protectant
Must-have. Use it before sun exposure or pool dips to seal in moisture and fend off fade, dryness, and color distortion.
4. A microfiber towel
Skip the hotel cotton. A soft microfiber towel is gentler on your bonds and cuts down on frizz—especially important when your hair’s vulnerable post-swim.
5. Hair masks (hello, built-in beach treatment)
A nourishing hair mask doubles as a styling balm when slicked into a braid or bun. Let it do the work while you sip that frozen drink.
6. A cute silk scarf or swim cap
Stylish and practical. Protects your hair from sun and SPF while adding main-character energy to any poolside pic.
7. Bonus move: a hair topper for off-days
Not into the full-glam maintenance every day of vacay? We got you. Throw in a hair topper and give your natural hair a break. Perfect for beach hats and slick-back moments. This trick saves lives (and luggage space).
You and your extensions deserve a hot girl summer (Not a hair horror story)
Vacay mode is sacred. And your extensions? They deserve the same level of planning you put into your airport outfit or beach playlist. So yes, you can swim with hair extensions—you just need to show up for them the way they show up for your confidence.
From dodging chlorine damage and mystery sunscreen stains to tying up your hair in a glam braided bun, you’ve got the know-how now to protect those luxe locks. And even if you do take a spontaneous cannonball or forget the pre-rinse? Your post-swim routine’s officially foolproof.
The truth is, extensions can handle summer—it’s just about knowing how to prep, protect, and pamper. Bonus points if you pack a cute scarf, a bottle of leave-in conditioner, and a hair topper for no-maintenance moments (we see you, slick-back bun days).
So go ahead—live your yacht-core life, babe. Just don’t forget your hair game plan.
Oh, and one last thing? Don’t wait ‘til the day before your flight to stock up. Grab your extension-safe must-haves now and set your strands up for success.
Because beach pics fade, but damage? That sticks around.
