London Hair Extensions
Can you swim with hair extensions? Often yes: Cliphair says permanent extensions can be slept in, showered in and worn for exercise and swimming. But chlorine and salt water can dry, tangle and discolour them, so tie your hair up, rinse straight after and dry the roots completely.
This post covers what to do before, during and after a swim, how method and hair type change the advice and where the sources differ. It builds on our washing and care guide.
Can you swim with each type of hair extension?
It depends on the method. Clip-ins should come out first. Cliphair says clip-ins should be removed before bed and stored carefully, and they are not designed to be worn in water. For fitted methods, the sources are more relaxed but cautious.
Cooviphair says wefts tend to withstand lifestyle factors such as workouts and swimming better than tape-ins. Cliphair advises avoiding soaking your head if you wear tapes or keratin tips, because water and chemicals can work on the adhesive and the bond. Ask your stylist what is right for your method.
What should you do before swimming?
- Coat the mid-lengths and ends with a leave-in conditioner (Cliphair).
- Tie your hair into a low braid or ponytail (Cliphair), or wear a swim cap (Hair Rehab London).
- Avoid products with oils near the bonds, which can cause slipping.
What should you do after swimming?
Rinse immediately, condition the ends and dry thoroughly. Hair Rehab London says to never leave extensions wet after swimming, to rinse, condition and dry them thoroughly. Cliphair adds to brush gently once dry and to limit exposure for the longest extension life.
Dry the attachment points completely. Cliphair says leaving them damp can cause slippage, frizzing and scalp irritation, and Cooviphair notes that wefts left damp risk mildew. Do not go to bed with wet hair.
What about the sun, sunscreen and hard water?
Hair Rehab London says sun can dry out extensions, so wear a hat or use a moisturising serum. It also warns that sunscreens containing avobenzone can cause orange or pink staining, and that hard water with high mineral content can cause brassy or green tones, especially in blonde extensions, so use a clarifying treatment afterwards.
How often can you swim with extensions?
We found no source that gives a safe number. Cliphair says to limit exposure as much as possible for the longest lifespan, and Hair Rehab London recommends protection on holiday. If you swim often, ask your stylist about a method and routine that suit it, because refits may come sooner. Our post on how long hair extensions last explains why.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, with care. Hair Rehab London says chlorine and seawater can cause dryness, tangling and discolouration, so tie your hair up or wear a swim cap, rinse straight away, condition the ends and dry thoroughly. Ask your stylist if your method needs extra protection.
Cooviphair says wefts withstand swimming better than tapes, and Cliphair advises avoiding soaking your head if you wear tapes. Tapes can be worn in water, but ask your stylist, keep hair tied up and avoid long soaking sessions.
Remove them first. Clip-ins are designed to be taken out, and Cliphair says removing them before bed extends their life. Water and chlorine can tangle them and loosen the clips, so keep them dry and store them carefully.
Rinse immediately, as Cliphair advises, then condition the ends and dry thoroughly. A full wash may be needed after chlorine or salt water. Use sulphate-free products, and follow your stylist’s advice on how soon after a fitting you can wash.
Where to go next
If you travel or swim a lot, raise it at your consultation. You can find a salon by borough and method, compare methods, or browse the blog.
How we prepared this post: we compared care advice from Hair Rehab London, Cliphair and Cooviphair, all read on 15 November 2026. They are suppliers with products to sell, so follow your own stylist’s advice for your method. The photographs are stock images from Pexels.
Ready to compare salons? Browse by London borough. Prime and Takeover placements are paid; this article is independent.