You can transform your hair with enhancements like wigs, extensions, and more. These hair enhancements have the power to switch up your look temporarily or long term. A popular way to secure these hair enhancements is with hair glue.
Hair glue is a bonding adhesive that’s specially formulated for the hair. Usually, it’s safe for natural hair, extensions, wigs, and synthetic hair. It can be easily removed in a salon setting without causing damage to your natural hair.
However, removing hair glue at home can be a little time-consuming. If you find yourself in a pinch or you can’t make it to the salon, there are a few home remedies you can try to remove hair glue. You’ll want to remove it safely.
How can you remove hair glue from the hair? Thankfully, a handful of household products can break down hair glue. For example, shampoo and conditioner, oils, and even ice can help eliminate hair glue from your strands.
These methods are relatively safe for most hair types. So no matter if you’re working with natural hair, extensions, wigs, or synthetic strands, one of these methods may get the job done. Are you ready to find out how to remove hair glue?
What Is Hair Glue?
Hair glue is a bonding adhesive that’s used to create endless hairstyles. There are multiple types of hair glue. For example, there is bonding glue, keratin polymer glue, wig adhesive, and even hairstyling hair glue.
Each glue serves a purpose, whether it’s to style your actual hair or install a hair enhancement. However, hair glue is used to secure wigs and extensions in most cases. It can be used on human and synthetic hair enhancements.
Tape-in extensions have their own bonding agent, like hair glue that can also be secured to the hair. Hair glue is generally harmless when you apply and remove it correctly.
Hair glue is usually designed to work with all hair types and textures.
Risks Of Leaving Hair Glue In Your Hair
If you can’t make it to a salon or you’re pressed for time, you can remove hair glue at home. However, you’ll want to be patient because it can be time-consuming. Working slowly and gently will be better than leaving the glue alone.
A few risks can arise if you decide to leave hair glue in your strands. For starters, it can damage the overall health of your hair if it’s neglected. You can risk hair loss or matting.
Hair Loss
Hair loss is a significant concern when removing hair glue at home. Hair glue is meant to latch onto your strands. So, the glue will even catch all the strands that were supposed to be shed.
A minor amount of hair loss can occur when removing hair glue because the strands you’ve shed are still stuck to the glue. However, if you aren’t gentle with the removal process, you can risk pulling out clumps of hair from your head.
So, to avoid significant hair loss, work in small manageable sections. You’ll want to take your time and work gently.
Breakage
You can also risk breakage. For example, you may notice more split ends or that the bottom of your hair looks thin or fried. The glue can potentially break up the strands which might need to be chopped off to create a healthy effect.
Also, hair glue that’s neglected can cause matting, which creates clumps of tangles in your hair. In severe cases, matting can’t be detangled, and you must cut it off. So, if you have hair glue in your hair, tend to it as fast as possible.
Home Remedies To Remove Hair Glue
How can you remove hair glue at home? You’ll find that most of these methods incorporate products that you already own. You won’t have to spend extra cash on beauty products, and these methods are accessible to almost everyone.
These at-home remedies include using shampoo and conditioner, various oils, ice, and even dish soap. As we mentioned earlier, these methods should be effective on human hair, extensions, wigs, and synthetic hair.
The most essential tips are taking your time, working in small sections, and being gentle to your hair.
Shampoo & Conditioner
The simplest and easiest method is to use shampoo and conditioner.
This method will work for less intense hair glues or hair glue made for styling human hair. It uses products that you already have in your shower to eliminate hair glue quickly.
You’ll want to wash your hair more thoroughly than you usually do. It can help to have a wet brush or wide-tooth comb in the shower to remove glue and detangle your strands. The combination of these tools should eliminate hair glue.
Also, if you’re looking for extra nourishment, try adding a deep conditioning mask (we love this one from Amazon). A deep conditioner will add extra slip and moisture that can help break down the hair glue.
Oil
Various household oils can also help eliminate any sticky mess from your hair. Oils will ensure your hair stays moisturized, and you get the extra slip. Finally, this method can work on sturdier glue that’s meant to hold wigs or extensions.
You can use olive oil, baby oil, or coconut oil for this method. Once you’ve picked your oil, you’ll want to saturate the hair to eliminate any sticky residue thoroughly. If you find yourself in a tricky mess, you can leave the oil to soak for an hour or so.
As the oil has more time to soak in the hair glue, it should slowly become softer and easier to break down. Once the glue is weak, you can gently comb it out. You can repeat this step for more challenging glue spots.
Dish Soap
Try using dish soap if you’re working with hair enhancements like extensions or wigs. This tip will be constructive for synthetic hair. Dish soap is known to be tough on greasy messes, so it might be able to alleviate any sticky residue from hair glue.
You can also use the same method for oil as for dish soap. For example, apply the dish soap to the hair glue and let it sit for an hour. This will give the dish soap enough time to soften the bond so it can be combed out.
Finally, you can rinse your hair and repeat this process if you have some glue leftover.
Ice
Have you ever gotten gum stuck in your hair as a kid? Gum is also a sticky and stubborn substance that’s hard to remove from the strands, and ice has been an effective method. So, ice can also help remove hair glue from the hair at home.
Ice cubes can help hair that’s been tangled or slightly matted. Allow the ice to sit on top of the glue spots to freeze and harden. This will make it easier to comb out of the hair, and the glue can be removed in larger clumps.
Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is another product that you can use to eliminate hair glue from your strands. You’ll want to do this method after a fresh shampoo. Shampooing first may remove additional residue, and it can prep the hair for the rubbing alcohol.
However, it’s crucial to remember that rubbing alcohol can be highly potent and dry. So, you’ll want to let the rubbing alcohol soak only for a few minutes. Anything longer can also potentially cause damage to your strands.
When To Consult A Hairdresser
While these are at-home remedies, you’ll want to perform them sparingly. These methods of removing hair glue should be used as a one-time or temporary solution, and it shouldn’t replace professional removal.
If you find that you need to be overly forceful towards your hair or that multiple methods still leave glue residue in the strands, it’s time to see a pro. A professional hairstylist will be able to remove the glue and nurse your hair back to health.
A professional hairstylist may save you from needing to chop off your hair if it gets too damaged or matted from at-home removal.
Takeaway
There are multiple ways to remove hair glue from the hair at home. You can use everyday household products like shampoo, conditioner, olive oil, ice, and dish soap. You’ll need tools like a wet brush or wide-tooth comb for detangling.
However, with all at-home remedies, always proceed with caution. Leaving the glue to rest in your hair or forcing it out can lead to breakage and hair loss. So, make sure to work in small sections, take your time, and never apply force to your hair.
These methods can work on natural hair, extensions, wigs, and synthetic strands. Hair glue no longer has to be a stubborn and sticky mess!
If a visual tutorial is more your speed, check out this awesome video from Annesha Adams on YouTube.
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