Magazine adverts, hair commercials, and salon Instagram profiles feature long, lush locks, making us wish we had Rapunzel-like strands. Fortunately, several types of hair extensions now allow us to achieve our “long hair ambitions” and improve hair fullness without waiting months for it to grow.
Let us expose you to all hair extension alternatives, assist you in selecting the hair extension type that would be apt for you, and provide vital maintenance recommendations so that you don’t damage your hair while wearing the wefts.
What do clip-ins, weaving, tape-ins, pre-bonded, micro-link, and fusion mean? If you’re a newbie to hair extensions, there are so many different styles and words that it might be intimidating. To clear up some misunderstandings, we will break down the various types of extensions.
The following essay will clarify things for you and assist in making the best decision for your hair. So tuck your hair, and let’s get started.
Let’s look at the numerous sorts of hair extensions, including Tape-in and Clip-in hair extensions, Hot-Fusion Pre-Bonded hair extensions, Cold Fusion and Micro-Link hair extensions, and Sew-In hair extensions.
Clip-in Hair Extensions
What Are They?
Clip-in wefts, or clip-in hair extensions, consist of a strand of shaped pieces held together by silicone or fabric at the base, which has clips attached to them that are ready to use. Clip the pieces to your natural hair yourself, as each clip snaps open and closed with ease!
These extensions are the least permanent type since they can be taken off and put back on at any time. Unlike other hair extensions, clip-ins take between 5 to 15 minutes to apply at home.
Clip-in hair extensions are mostly the least damaging because they don’t require any chemicals, pressure, heat, or other means of application—they clip into your hair with ease, causing no damage to your natural hair. One of the significant reasons it’s among the most popular hair extension varieties is this.
Application
You can apply and remove clip-ins from the comfort of your own home. Clip-in hair extensions take less than 10 minutes to apply, depending on the number of wefts linked to your natural hair and require no adhesive, heat, or chemicals.
If you’re going to wear clip-in hair extensions regularly, we recommend sticking to 100 percent human hair extensions. These extensions can be heated and styled just like your own hair; be sure to use a heat protectant spray when straightening, curling, or waving them.
Treatment
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When it comes to the clip-in hair extension treatment, the same synthetic vs. genuine hair guidelines apply as they do with any other hair extension. Since we advocate human hair extensions, we’ll concentrate on them.
Clip-ins take minimal maintenance and do not need to be regularly washed because they do not produce natural hair oils. Simply said, human hair extensions are incredibly low maintenance and need to be washed after 15-20 wears or if they become problematic due to excessive product buildup. Brush, shampoo, and condition the extension as you would your hair, then let it air dry!
Human hair clip-in extensions can be fashioned much like your own natural hair in terms of appearance. They can be straightened, curled, and colored; however, when heat styling the hair, it is always recommended to use a lower heat setting and a heat protectant beforehand.
You can’t heat-style synthetic hairpieces the same way you can human hair. Thus, you should only use them on special occasions.
How Long Do They Last?
This, too, is dependent on how well you look after them, what products you use, and how frequently you wear them. Clip-ins can last anywhere from 3 to 6 months, up to a year, and occasionally even longer, with good maintenance and consistent wear. For more information on how to keep your hair extensions gorgeous for longer, click here.
Tape-In Hair Extensions
What Are They?
Hair extensions that are taped in are precisely what they sound like. The extensions are pre-taped and then glued/taped together on either side of your hair. A hairdresser typically administers tape-ins since they must be aligned with the roots and are applied using a heated tool, which heats the adhesive.
You’d also have to get them removed (with a glue remover) and reinstalled. Naturally, applying heat to your roots and any adhesive agent like tape or glue can cause harm to your hair. This procedure takes approximately 40 minutes to an hour to complete, and the extensions can be reused, given they are in excellent condition.
Tapes are usually about one inch wide and adhere to the hair using adhesive glue. Tape-in extensions do not cause as much breakage and tension to natural hair as other permanent extension procedures since they are applied to such a large amount of hair.
Tape-ins are the most popular semi-permanent procedure utilized by celebrities and top stylists. They are the easiest to apply and take out while maintaining a natural and unobtrusive appearance. Stylists frequently use tape extensions to thicken a short bob around the front of the hair, giving the face a blunt framing.
Tape-ins suit most hair types and are considered to cause the least long-term damage to your natural hair when done appropriately.
Application
The tape application to the hair takes about an hour, and the removal takes about the same amount of time. This hair extension process entails ‘sandwiching’ natural hair between two tapes, subsequently secured to the hair with a low-heated tool or professional hairdressing pliers. After that, your natural hair will be cut to mix in with the extensions in a subtle way.
This method’s removal entails spraying a solvent at the root of the extensions to melt the adhesive and allow the extensions to be securely removed. You can reuse your tape-in extensions, but the roots will need to be re-taped each time, and the length will likely be cut. To avoid matting or the glue becoming too difficult to remove, you must have your tapes re-applied every 6-8 weeks.
Treatment
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As with most semi-permanent hair extension treatments, extreme caution is required when washing and drying the hair. You should avoid using conditioner or any oil-based products near the root of your hair because this will cause your tapes to slip.
The hair simply slides off tape-in extensions, a fairly common problem. To guarantee the glue sticks to your hair, hairdressers normally recommend using a particular shampoo and conditioner and style products that are less oily and harsh.
You can style them whichever way you prefer because they’re made of human hair, but keep an eye out for the tape or glue around the roots. To avoid melting the tape adhesive, we recommend avoiding heat styling the root of the hair and blowdrying your extensions at a lower temperature.
How Long Do They Last?
Tape-in hair extensions are a type of semi-permanent installation. They typically last 4–8 weeks before being removed and re-applied. However, just like any hair, it is dependent on how well you care for them and how rapidly they develop.
Sew-In Hair Extensions/Weave
What Are They?
Weave hair is applied by braiding natural hair into cornrows first, then sewing the weave into the braid or cornrow with a needle and thread. Because of the method weave hair extensions are applied, those with thicker hair most commonly utilize them.
Generally speaking, weaving is a time-consuming operation (usually several hours.) The tight application method exerts a strain on the scalp and might feel heavy or painful, which is why it’s not recommended for thin or light hair.
Because this is an extremely technical and demanding application that requires a professional to sew in, it is applied by an expert hairdresser. Sew-ins are also available in wig form, which is sewed into cornrows in the same way as sew-ins, but with one piece of hair rather than separate wefts. Because the hair is essentially sewn into your hair and cannot be removed, this hair extension type is popular because it is the most flawless and permanent.
Application
Depending on the number of rows you need, weaving takes about 1-2 hours. Three rows of weft hair extensions are usually required for a full head of extensions. Depending on your natural hair growth, your weave will need to be re-positioned every 8-10 weeks.
To avoid cutting or injuring your hair, have a skilled professional hairdresser remove your weave. It takes about 30 minutes to remove a weave from the hair without matting.
After application, a weave is the most uncomfortable hair extension method since it requires your natural hairs to be strained at the scalp; nevertheless, the pain and discomfort should lessen within 24 hours, and your weave will soon feel like your natural hair.
Treatment
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Make sure you moisturize your hair’s nape, scalp, and borders at least once a week, and use deep conditioning products if you have a weave. Another frequent advice for persons with weaves is to use a particular protein treatment to wash their hair to prevent damage and weakening. When it comes to styling, real hair vs. synthetic hair follows the same rules—weaves are usually made of real hair due to how long they are left in.
How Long Do They Last?
You should remove the weave every 6–8 weeks, especially if you’re trying to grow your hair. Because it will impair the growth of your natural hair, you must only wear a full weave in your hair for about four months.
Pre-Bonded/Hot-Fusion Hair Extensions
What Are They?
Fusion hair extensions (pre-bonded or bonding) are adhered to the natural hair with glue or other adhesives. Pre-bonded hair extensions are done by a hairdresser and take roughly 3-4 hours to apply.
Fusion extensions may not be suited to all clients because this application method is pretty destructive to natural hair. Thus, the hairdresser may suggest against it. The procedure uses a machine that resembles a hot glue gun to adhere the hair to individual strands of natural hair. A heat clamp is employed to melt the glue to the natural hair in another method of applying pre-bonded hair extensions.
Application
Pre-bonded extensions, like cold-fusion extensions, can take anywhere from 2-4 hours to apply for a whole head.
Depending on your natural hair growth, you’ll need to have your bonded extensions pulled and re-positioned every 8-12 weeks. To remove the extension from the hair, your hairdresser will shatter the bond to break down the keratin, then apply a bond removal solution.
Treatment
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Fusion/pre-ponded applications are handled and treated similarly to natural hair. You can use your regular products, but the extensions will need to be re-positioned every 2–3 months as your natural hair grows. This procedure can also cause breakage, hair loss, and scalp irritation because of the various chemicals in the glue.
The cost of maintaining bonded extensions is generally higher. If you want to reuse the hair after the first application, your hairdresser will have to clip the present tip off the hair and re-apply another adhesive tip to the extension, which is time-consuming.
To avoid a response or significant scalp irritation, you must undergo a patch test before your visit because this treatment uses glue.
How Long Do They Last?
These extensions are semi-permanent because they can last about four months in your hair. This, like all other hair extension types, is dependent on the type and growth of your hair.
Micro-link Hair Extensions
What Are They?
Micro loop and micro bead hair extensions are other names for micro-link hair extensions. Nano beads, I-tips, and Micro rings are all terms for hair extensions that require the same treatment and procedure to fit the original hair.
Individual hair extensions tips are bonded to tiny wefts of hair with micro-link extensions. A micro-ring or nano-bead is clamped to each tip with a specialized hair plier.
The beads are dyed to match your natural hair, and the points are arranged in perfect rows around the head. This application does not involve heat or adhesive glue to connect the extension to the hair and, when done correctly, can be a highly safe and discrete procedure.
Application
These are applied using a small silicone-lined bead to affix tiny wefts of hair to small portions of natural hair. Then, the bead is secured to the hair with a specific tool and tightened to keep it in place.
Micro-link hair extensions can damage the hair if not done properly by a professional, even though they do not require heat or adhesive. The bead may be too tightened, producing pressure and pulling at the roots, and the hair may be ripped out if not removed properly. This process takes about 2–4 hours to complete.
Treatment
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You can wash them and style them the same way you would your hair. Micro-link hair extensions, like fusion hair extensions, must be re-positioned every 2–3 months as natural hair develops and the microbeads travel away from the scalp.
How Long Do They Last?
Micro-link hair extensions are considered semi-permanent and can last up to four months in most cases.
That’s all there is to it! We hope we’ve given you all of the details you require to make an educated decision about which hair extensions types are best for your hair type hair goals. For more hair tips, try these tips for hydrating your hair and what to look for in a curling iron.
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