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Your New Extensions Deserve a Better Brushing Technique > Quick Answer: Brush new extensions starting from the ends and working upward in small sections...
Quick Answer: Brush new extensions starting from the ends and working upward in small sections using a loop brush or wide-tooth comb, never a regular paddle brush. Wait 48 hours after salon installation before your first full brush-through, then brush gently two to three times daily to prevent tangles and matting.
Brushing brand-new hair extensions requires a different approach than brushing your natural hair — starting from the ends and working upward in small sections with a loop brush or wide-tooth comb designed for extensions. The wrong tool or technique on day one can cause shedding, matting, and shortened wear time before your extensions even have a chance to settle in. Whether you just left the salon with a fresh set of hand-tied wefts or you're unboxing your first clip-ins at home, this guide walks you through the correct brushing method so your extensions stay smooth, full, and tangle-free from the start.
Extension brushing is the practice of gently detangling extension hair using specialized tools and a bottom-up sectioning method that protects both the bonds and the hair cuticle. It sounds simple, but it's one of the most common things new extension wearers get wrong.
Even 100% Human Remy extensions — where all cuticles run in the same direction — behave differently than hair growing from your scalp. Your natural hair receives continuous moisture and oil from your scalp. Extensions don't. They rely entirely on the products you apply and how gently you handle them.
Fresh extensions straight out of the package or right after installation are especially vulnerable. The hair hasn't been conditioned into your routine yet. It may feel silky, but without the natural oil distribution your scalp provides, dry spots develop quickly if you brush aggressively or with the wrong tool.
At Bombshell Extensions, our work centers on premium Remy hair with a curated color library, and we consistently see that proper brushing from day one is the single biggest factor in how long extensions look salon-fresh.
A standard paddle brush or boar bristle brush can snag on extension bonds, pull out individual strands from wefts, and create friction that roughens the hair cuticle. Skip them entirely.
What to use instead:
What to avoid:
This technique prevents the most common damage pattern: dragging a brush from the top and forcing tangles downward into a knot that tightens near the bond.
Hold the hair. Gather a small section and hold it firmly about halfway down, between your fingers and the attachment point. This anchors the extension so brushing doesn't pull on the bond.
Start at the very ends. Place your brush at the last two inches of hair and gently stroke downward. Work through any tangles at the tips first.
Move up in two-inch increments. Once the ends are smooth, move your brush up two inches and stroke down through the section you already cleared. Repeat until you reach the midshaft.
Stop before the bond. Never drag a brush directly over tape tabs, keratin tips, or hand-tied weft knots. Use your fingers to gently separate any tangles within an inch of the attachment point.
Repeat section by section. Work through your entire head in small sections rather than trying to brush all extensions at once.
For tape-in, hand-tied, or fusion extensions installed at a salon, wait at least 48 hours before your first full brush-through. This gives adhesive bonds time to fully cure and allows sewn-in wefts to settle into position.
During those first two days, you can use your fingers to gently separate any tangles that form, particularly at the nape and behind the ears where friction from clothing and pillows creates knots fastest.
Clip-in and halo extensions can be brushed before each application. Lay them flat on a towel, hold the weft base with one hand, and brush from ends to top using the bottom-up method described above.
Yes — and most new wearers under-brush rather than over-brush. A gentle pass two to three times per day prevents small tangles from compounding into mats. The FDA's guidelines on cosmetic product safety remind consumers that proper use and maintenance of hair products directly affects their performance and longevity, and extensions are no exception.
A practical daily routine:
Summer 2026 brings extra considerations — humidity, pool water, and ocean salt all accelerate tangling. Increasing your brushing frequency to three or four gentle sessions per day during the warmer months keeps extensions manageable without requiring extra salon visits.
Never brush soaking wet extensions with a standard extension brush. Wet hair stretches more easily, and the added weight of water puts stress on bonds.
Instead, apply a lightweight leave-in conditioner or detangling spray to damp extensions and use a wide-tooth comb exclusively. Work in the same bottom-up sections, and be even slower and more deliberate than you would on dry hair. Let extensions air-dry at least 80% before switching back to your loop brush for a final smooth-through.
Treating your extensions like an extension of your natural hair — pun intended — starts with how you pick up a brush. The right tool paired with patient, bottom-up technique on day one sets the pattern for the entire life of your set. Rushing through with whatever brush is on your bathroom counter is the fastest way to turn beautiful, full extensions into a tangled frustration. A little intention goes a long way.