Are Your Extensions Shedding Too Much?
- Storybook Salon
- Oct 17
- 3 min read
Written by: Samantha K. Paris
If you've noticed your extensions aren't feeling quite as full as they used to and maybe the ends look a little thinner or you're seeing a lot of hair in your brush, you're not imagining it. Some shedding is totally normal, but when your extensions start losing that fresh, full look to soon, it's usually a sign something deeper is going on.
At Storybook Salon, we specialize in Invisible Bead Extensions® (IBE®) -- a method designed to keep both your extensions and your natural hair healthy. Here's what's normal, what's not, and how to make sure your extensions stay lush from install to move-up.
What's Normal vs. What's Not
Extensions are made from real human hair, so just like your own hair, they'll naturally shed a little over time.
Totally normal:
A few stray strands when you brush or wash (especially after several days of no washing)
Slight thinning for the first 1-2 weeks after install, but then evolving to a normal amount of shed
Minimal shedding at the top of the weft (not noticing the part at the very top of the weft becoming thinner/ more see-through)
Not so normal:
Noticeable thinning and pulling out long clumps of hair
Wefts that feel lighter or stringy compared to when they were installed
Shedding mostly from the top of the weft (where it's sewn in)
If your rows seem to lose fullness quickly, you're likely dealing with a combo of issues that can be fixed with the right care, method, and stylist.
Why Extensions Start Shedding or Thinning:
The method itself
Not all sewn-in or beaded methods are created equal. Some put uneven tension on the hair or don't properly protect the weft, which can cause early shedding and breakage. The IBE® method was created to solve this exact problem.
Over-processed or Low-Quality Hair:
Cheaper hair often looks great on day one-- but after a few washes, the cuticle breaks down, and the wefts start losing strands. Additionally, the weft itself -- whether hand-tied or genius (and don't even get us started on a machine weft), should be sturdy and able to handle wear. High-quality extensions will allow more wearability.
Improper Brushing or Washing
Tugging at the roots or using the wrong brush can loosen the stitching that holds the wefts together. We always recommend brushing from ends to roots with an extension-safe brush such as the tangle teezer, wet brush, DomDom, and more.
Product Buildup and Heavy Oils
Products that contain silicones, sulfates, or waxes can break down the weft itself overtime, causing shedding and dullness, and even breaking the weft. A gentle clarifying shampoo once per week and regular scalp analysis with reinstalls keep things clean and secure.
Skipping Maintenance or Sleeping Care
Skipping your move-ups or sleeping with loose hair can cause unnecessary tension, tangling, and even matting which leads to thinning and shedding. At night, sleep with heatless rods or a braid and a silk pillowcase.
Why Our IBE Guests See Fuller, Longer-Lasting Hair:
The Invisible Bead Extension® method is all about comfort, scalp health, and weft protection. Because the beads are hidden and cushioned, your hair isn't rubbing against metal or being pulled unevenly. The result?
Healthier grow-out
Fuller wefts that stay intact longer
No slipping, matting, or premature shedding
Every installation at Storybook Salon includes:
Custom mapping for your natural hair type, lifestyle, preferences, and more.
Premium, ethically sourced wefts
Education on at-home care and maintenance
A scalp analysis and treatment
All coloring and cutting necessary to blend and/or transform
A take-home kit for care
A thorough follow-up call
If Your Extensions are Feeling Thinner than they Should...
It might be time for a change-- not just in hair, but in method and maintenance. During your complimentary IBE® consultation, we'll look at yo0ur current setup, explain what's happening, and show you how your extensions should feel: full, soft, and seamless from day one, to move-up.
Book you IBE® consultation today! Let's find out what's really behind the shedding and get your hair back to it's fullest, healthiest state. You can relax and we can restore the fullness-- and the confidence.
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