If you happen to have short hair, or even no hair at all, you’ll probably find that these different types of hair extensions won’t help you much. But extensions are definitely a stylish and practical option for those of us who are blessed with long hair, which seems to be firmly back in fashion these days.
Just about anyone can take advantage of hair extensions these days, partly because of changing hair styles being a staple of Instagram, although it wasn’t too long ago that only the famous celebrities used extensions. However, most of us still don’t understand just exactly how hair extensions work, although we do know that they are a great option for anyone who wants to instantly increase hair length without having to go to the trouble of taking vitamins to do the job and without having to wait weeks for longer hair.
What Exactly Are Hair Extensions?
Basically exactly what the name suggests, extensions can be made from natural or artificial hair and can add to the volume of your hair as well as increase its length. Synthetic extensions have the advantage of requiring little maintenance and providing an instant and temporary fix; they also cost less than natural hair extensions. Because all the hair runs in one direction and the hair’s cuticle is preserved, natural hair extensions are of higher quality, but inevitably cost more.
Reasons To Have a Hair Extension
- Length is added instantly and easily to your hair, even if you don’t have strong hair growth.
- If you feel like a new look or style, or perhaps a fringe for this week, an extension is a great method of looking different.
- Your regular hair gets some much needed extra bounce.
- Without using chemicals, you can add some color to your hair instantly when you use a hair extension.
What To Consider If You Are Thinking Of a Hair Extension
Before having the procedure carried out, there are some things to consider for anyone who is interested in a hair extension:
- It’s all too easy to damage your hair if you try to add the extension yourself, despite some extensions appearing easy. Having your expert stylist do it is always the best option.
- Make sure your extension isn’t too tight. Your hair stylist should immediately fix any issues you may have of discomfort or pain with your extension.
- Cheaper extensions can potentially cause damage to your hair. It’s worth your while to pay more for a good quality and safe extension.
- Always care for your extension as you would your natural hair, including regular treatments and oiling. You can’t safely and easily style your hair if it has been damaged.
The Look and Feel Of Hair Extensions
Real hair extensions are just that – real. If you want something that blends more naturally, real hair is the answer. Synthetic extensions vary somewhat in their quality, but just don’t blend as well with your hair and when touched, they sometimes feel a little coarse or wiry. There are different types of hair extensions, both natural and synthetic and you can find differences in how the extension is applied, as well as the color and style.
Styling and Coloring
If you want to apply hair products to your natural extension, or blow dry, color, curl or straighten your new hair, go right ahead. You can basically treat your extension in exactly the same way as you treat your own natural hair. However, as the majority of hair dyes available contain bleach or ammonia, you can’t color your hair if you have a synthetic hair extension, as the chemicals would simply destroy the hair.
Synthetic hair is also easily damaged by heat, which means that you should not use a blow dryer, straightener or curling iron on your synthetic hair extension. And if you opt for a synthetic extension, you may also damage it if you try to use harsh hair products on it, or simply expose it to the sun too much. As can clearly be seen, if you want to be able to treat your extension as your own hair, then a natural hair extension is your best choice.
Different Types of Hair Extensions Pros and Cons: Which Suits You Best
Tape In Hair Extensions
These extensions are ideal for anyone who doesn’t want to spend too long attaching them, as they can easily be put into place in a couple of hours, making them ideal for a one time special event. The extension comprises wefts which hold your hair in place between them; these range in size from 1.5 to 8 inches in length and come with double or one sided tape tabs made from polyurethane.
Micro Ring Hair Extensions
Small areas of your natural hair are looped around small bundles of hair which are then secured in place with a metal bead clamped in place. You don’t need a loop tool to attach micro loop extensions as they already come with the bead and loop attached to them, making them more convenient and easier to apply than the micro ring extension. This 10-Step Guide to Care for Microring Hair Extension will be useful read for you >>
Weaving Hair Extensions
Being blessed with very thick hair is ideal as it helps to hide these extensions, and for that reason they are popular with many African women. A needle and cotton are used to literally sew, or weave these extensions into your natural hair after a horizontal cornrow has been created in your hair.
Clip In Hair Extensions
If you want your hair to look longer and different in minutes rather than spending hours, then clip in hair extensions are the ideal solution for you. These wefts of hair vary in size from about 2 inches to 8 inches and they are simply clipped onto the roots of your own hair, using the clips that come already attached. Read 10 Ultimate Clip In Hair Extensions 2019 >>
Hot Fusion Hair Extensions
A qualified and professional stylist will need to carry out this extension procedure as the process is fairly complicated and it isn’t something that you should attempt to do yourself. A heating tool is used to bond the extension to the roots of your hair; your hair is protected from any damage from the heat by means of a keratin U-tip bond that attaches to the extension and is lined with silicone.
Cold Fusion Hair Extensions
With this extension type you’ll still need a special tool to apply a cold fusion heat extension, the use of heat isn’t needed, although in other respects this is similar to the hot fusion extension described above. A keratin based polymer has to be attached to the roots of your hair.
The above types of hair extension all have various pros and cons. Finding the right one for you depends on your hair type, the effect you are striving to create and just how much or how little time you want to spend transforming the way you look. You can be more beautiful…