Summer is the season we get the most worried texts about blonde turning strange colors. The good news: it is almost always preventable, and almost always fixable. Here are the questions we hear most, answered honestly.
- Does sunscreen actually affect hair extensions?
- Yes, more than most people expect. Chemical sunscreens that contain avobenzone and octocrylene are the culprit. When that sunscreen gets on your hair, it can leave a pink, peachy, or rusty-orange cast. It shows up most on light blonde and lifted hair, which is exactly what most extensions are.
- Why does my blonde turn pink or orange in summer?
- It is the sunscreen itself, specifically the avobenzone in chemical formulas, getting onto your hair. Extensions are pre-lightened and porous, so they grab onto that discoloration faster and hold it longer than your natural hair does. Sun and heat can speed it up, but the sunscreen on your hair is what causes the color shift.
- Does the sun itself fade extensions?
- It does. UV light breaks down the cuticle and lifts color, so your toner and gloss fade and a clean blonde can turn brassy. Hand-tied and bonded human-hair extensions cannot repair themselves the way your scalp hair slowly does, so sun exposure is cumulative. They do not bounce back, they just get drier and warmer over time.
- Can I still wear sunscreen with extensions?
- Absolutely, and you should always protect your skin. The goal is simply to keep it off your hair. Apply to your face and body, wash your hands before you touch your hair, and pull your hair back until it fully absorbs. When you can, choose a mineral sunscreen made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Mineral formulas are far less likely to discolor light hair than chemical ones.
- How do I protect my extensions at the beach or pool?
- Rinse your hair with clean water before you get in. Hair that is already saturated absorbs far less salt and chlorine. Add a leave-in or a UV-protectant spray made for hair, wear a hat, and tie your lengths up. Rinse again the moment you are out, and never let extensions dry caked in salt or chlorine.
- What about self-tanner and bronzing oils?
- Same rule applies. Self-tanner and bronzing oils will stain extensions the same way they tint a white towel. Keep them off your lengths, and be careful at the neckline where product loves to transfer.
- My extensions already turned orange or pink. Can it be fixed?
- Often, yes, so do not reach for a box toner. At-home color usually makes the discoloration worse. A stylist can use a clarifying or chelating treatment to draw out the product buildup, then re-gloss or tone to correct the color. Come see us before you try to fix it yourself.