Removing Hair Extensions With Acetone

How to Go from a Perm to Natural Black Hairstyles
Written By
Meg Butler
Meg Butler
Published: Sep 15, 2010
Updated: Jan 10, 2019
2 minute read
...
wet brunette image by Leticia Wilson from Fotolia.com

Acrylic glue adhesive is used in fusion weaving. Ideally, acrylic glued fusion weave pieces should be removed by a professional. However, in a pinch, the weave pieces can be removed at home. The only way to chemically remove acrylic hair extension adhesive is with acetone. When the glue is soaked with the chemical, it will loosen and the extensions can be pulled out of your hair. However, the combination of acetone and pulling can cause breakage and weaken your hair. For the best results have a friend assist in the removal to minimize the potential for extensive damage.

Separate your hair into four equal quadrants. Secure three of the four quadrants with a hair tie. Leave the back, right section free. Start with this section.

Isolate a fusion-bonded hair piece nearest the bottom of the quadrant. Secure the rest of the hair in the section with a hair tie or hair clip.

Soak a cotton pad in acetone. Lift the bonded section away from the scalp. Wrap the cotton pad around the bond. Hold it in place until the bond becomes bendable and soft (add more acetone to the cotton pad as needed).

Squeeze the loosened bond flat with a pair of needle-nose pliers. Repeat until the bond breaks and is mostly freed from the hair.

Grasp the broken fusion bond with your fingers and pull it down. It should slide easily off of the hair without snagging or pulling.

Comb any residual bonding glue out of the hair with a de-tangling brush.

Continue to work through the quadrant, isolated section by isolated section until all of the bonds are removed. Then, work through the remaining three quadrants.

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Wash and deep condition your hair when you are done.

Photo Credits

wet brunette image by Leticia Wilson from Fotolia.com

Meg Butler

Based in Houston, Texas, Meg Butler is a professional farmer, house flipper and landscaper. When not busy learning about homes and appliances she's sharing that knowledge. Butler began blogging, editing and writing in 2000. Her work has…

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