Beaded hair extensions or “micro bead” extensions are the most natural of all hair extension methods. While it is recommended that a professional put them in, removal is easy enough to be done at home. The process is easy but care must be taken to properly remove beads in order to preserve natural hair.

Part your hair in four sections: front, both sides and back.

Select a beaded strand starting at the hairline and hold it up for a clear view.

Open the bead by applying pressure to the sides using pliers or a connector clamp. Do not squeeze too tight as this will cause the bead to tighten instead of loosen.

Gently slide bead downward and away from hair. The hair extension should slide off with the bead if the right amount of pressure has been applied. Comb the natural hair strand with a fine toothed comb. This will make combing through hair easier once all beads have been removed. Do not comb through hair if it is matted or tangled.

If the bead is difficult to remove, break it by squeezing the bead in different directions.

Repeat the process until all the beaded extensions in the section have been removed.

Pin up the completed section with a hair clip or hair band to prevent tangles.

Work though the remaining sections, removing the beads and pinning the completed sections.

Release the hair sections and make sure all remaining bead remnants have been removed.

Wet your hair and apply a generous amount of conditioner thoroughly and evenly, especially if tangles or matting have occurred. Allow the conditioner to sit on your hair for at least 15 minutes. The longer the conditioner sits on the hair, the easier it will be to detangle and remove matted sections.

Select a matted or tangled section and, starting at the end, carefully work your way up towards the scalp with a fine-toothed comb. Continue working through entire head until hair is easy to comb through.