The Ultimate Guide on How to Remove Glue from Hair Extensions: Your 4 Best Options

Hair extensions and wigs can elevate your hairstyle. And, sometimes, hair glue is crucial in ensuring everything stays perfectly in place. 

While removing glued-in hair extensions may not be too challenging, getting rid of the glue residue from the wefts can be a daunting task! 

In this article, we’ll dive deep into how to remove glue from hair extensions. You’ll find 4 ways to remove the glue that we’ll walk you through, step-by-step. They’ll help you make your extensions look and feel fantastic and also allow you to reuse them with ease.

Let’s get started!

Mastering the Art of How To Remove Glue from Hair Extensions: 4 Recommended Methods

1. Removing Glue with a Professional Glue Remover

Glue bond removers are the most professional and efficient way to remove hair extension glue. Beauty supply stores offer bonding liquid to secure human hair weaves. But they also sell products designed specifically for removing hair glue from wefts. 

These products are formulated for glue-in hair extensions, so you can trust they’re safe for your scalp and hair.

To use this method, simply follow the manufacturer’s instructions found on the packaging. Do that, and you’ll be on your way to glue-free extensions in no time!

2. Removing Glue Using Heat: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Choose a thin piece of cloth, such as an old T-shirt or a thin towel. Make sure it’s a fabric you don’t mind damaging, like cotton or terry cloth. Steer clear of polyester, silk, and spandex.

2. Set your hair straightener to the highest setting and let it heat up for a few minutes to ensure it’s ready to work its magic.

3. Cover the glued section of the hair weft with the cloth, working in short sections of a few inches (7–10 cm) in length. Ensure the cloth also covers the back of the weft, creating a sandwich with the glued part in the middle.

4. Clamp the straightener firmly closed over the glued section, allowing the heat to gradually dissolve the glue on the tracks and transfer it to the cloth. Maintain the straightener on the weft for 1 to 3 minutes, clamping it down and rubbing it against the iron as needed.

5. Set aside the hair straightener and remove the cloth. Gently rub the heated part of the weft with the cloth to remove any remaining glue. If necessary, re-wrap the weft in the cloth and apply more heat.

6. Repeat the process on the remaining weft sections, working in small segments until the entire weft is clean and free from glue residue.

7. You can also rub the weft with alcohol to remove any residual glue. Soak a cotton ball or rag in rubbing alcohol and run it from end to end along the weft’s track, ensuring a thorough cleaning.

3. Removing Glue with the Help of Hair Conditioner

1. Wet your hair and generously apply hair conditioner, focusing on the areas most affected by the bonding agent.

2. Cover your hair with a shower cap or plastic bag and let the conditioner work its magic for about 20 minutes.

3. Rinse your hair thoroughly and use a comb to remove any remaining glue. Repeat this process until all the glue has been removed.

4. Removing Glue Using Acetone: A Powerful Solution

1. If you have sensitive or vulnerable skin, wear medical latex gloves before attempting to remove the glue from hair wefts. Acetone is a potent chemical that can irritate the skin, so it’s also a good idea to have an old towel on hand to catch spills or splashes.

2. Carefully pour acetone over the wefted portion of the track to dissolve the glue. Aim solely for the track and try not to get any acetone on the extensions. Depending on your preference, you can pour the acetone in sections or along the entire track.

3. Allow the acetone to sit for 1 to 3 minutes to break the glue’s bond. During this process, the glue will stiffen and lose its sticky, glue-like consistency, making it easier to detach from the weft.

4. Gently wipe along the track with an old towel or t-shirt to absorb excess acetone and remove the dissolved glue.

5. Use your fingers to pull any remaining glue from the weft. If any glue remains, peel it off with your hand.

Keep in mind that acetone can dry out your hair extensions. To maintain their good condition for reuse, deep condition them or apply oil to replace any lost moisture during the process. You can also deep condition the extensions right before using the acetone to help protect the hair from damage.

Bonus Tips on How To Remove Glue from Hair Extensions

Here are some additional tips to help you get the best results when removing glue from your hair extensions:

Be patient and gentle throughout the process. Aggressive rubbing or pulling can damage your extensions or your natural hair.

If one method doesn’t work for you, don’t be afraid to try another. Every person and every hair extension is unique, so it’s possible that different techniques might work better for you.

Always follow any specific instructions provided by the manufacturer of your hair extensions or glue remover products. They’re designed to work best with their own products, so adhering to their guidelines will yield the best results.

Some Last Words of Advice

Learning how to remove glue from hair extensions is essential for maintaining their appearance. And it helps ensure they can be reused. 

By trying one of these four methods – glue remover, heat, hair conditioner, or acetone – you’ll be well on your way to keeping your hair extensions looking fabulous and feeling comfortable!

Just remember to be patient and gentle, and follow the steps closely to achieve the best results. Happy styling!