Can I do ghusl with hair extensions?
It depends on the type of extensions. Ghusl is valid as long as water reaches your scalp and the roots of your own hair. Clip-ins should simply come out, braided-in styles are usually fine, but glue or tape stuck directly on the scalp can block water and needs care.
The rule: water must reach the scalp
In ghusl, the whole body has to be washed, including the skin of the head. For women, the Prophet ﷺ made things easy: a woman with tightly braided hair didn't need to undo it, as long as she poured water over her head three times (Sahih Muslim 330). Scholars take from this that the scalp and roots are what count, not soaking every strand along its length.
Type by type
- Clip-ins and halo extensions: take them out before ghusl. It takes a minute and removes any doubt.
- Sew-in weaves on cornrows: the cornrows fall under the braid concession. Your ghusl is fine if water reaches the scalp between the rows. With a closure or a tightly sealed weave that keeps the scalp dry, it may not be.
- Tape-ins and keratin bonds: if they're attached to your hair a little way from the scalp, many scholars are lenient, since the roots and skin still get wet. Make sure you work water into the scalp underneath.
- Glue applied to the scalp itself: this forms a layer on the skin and blocks water, much like nail polish blocks wudu. Avoid it, or have it removed before a ghusl is due.
For the full method, see How do I do ghusl?
Are extensions allowed in the first place?
This is a separate question. The Prophet ﷺ cursed the woman who joins hair to her own hair, and most scholars apply this to human hair extensions. Some scholars allow synthetic fibre or wool extensions that are clearly not human hair, and others disapprove of all of them. See Can I wear hair extensions as a Muslim woman? for the details.
Wiping the head in wudu
In wudu you wipe over your head. The Shafi'i school accepts wiping a small part of your own hair, the Hanafis a quarter of the head, and the Malikis and Hanbalis the whole head. If a weave covers most of your hair, try to wipe the part of your own hair or scalp that's still showing. The same idea applies to anything sitting on top of your skin, like makeup. See Can I make wudu with makeup on?
- Water must reach your scalp and hair roots in ghusl.
- Take clip-ins out; braided sew-ins are usually fine.
- Glue directly on the scalp blocks water.
- Human hair extensions are disliked or forbidden by most scholars.
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