Upon being introduced to hair extensions, the first question you may have is, "How do they work?" There's more than one answer to this question since there are a ton of different hair extension options on the market.
How Do Hair Extensions Work
Hair extensions are a popular beauty treatment that involves adding extra hair to an individual's natural hair. The process involves attaching natural or synthetic hair wefts to the existing hair using various techniques, such as bonding, weaving, or clipping.
Depending on the individual's preference, hair extensions can add length, volume, color, or a combination of these to the hair.
Hair extensions are an excellent option for those with shorter or thinner hair who want a fuller, more voluminous look. With expert installation, hair extensions can seamlessly blend in with natural hair, resulting in a flawless, natural-looking hairstyle.
So, in this article, we'll introduce you to the most common types of extensions and fill you in on how they work. By the end of this article, you'll know how hair extensions work and have the information you need to decide whether you should try hair extensions.
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How Do Tape-in Hair Extensions Work?
Tape-in extensions are weft extensions made with a long-lasting adhesive at the top. They are known to be very natural-looking, lightweight, and super easy to install. They are reusable and last up to 6 months on average, but you'll need to get them adjusted every 6 weeks or so.
How Tape-in Extensions Work
Tape-in extensions are a breeze to install, thanks to the adhesive on the end of each weft. To install tape-in extensions, a professional will part out a very thin section of your natural hair, place a tape-in extension weft on top of it, and then place one on its underside. Your natural hair will be sandwiched between the hair extensions.
Considerations for Tape-in Extensions
Tape-in extensions are some of the gentlest hair extensions available, and here’s why. The wefts are extremely thin and lightweight, so they’re less likely to pull on your roots than heavier extension types. However, they can still cause tension and breakage if they’re installed too tightly or attached to sections that are too small.
Also, the hair tape used to adhere the extensions to your hair can be removed without damage using a specialized solution.
Are Tape-in Extensions for You?
Many love tape-in extensions because of their low-profile look and how gentle they are on your strands. So, if you have thin or fine hair, this is a great extension type to consider. But keep in mind that you'll need to factor in the cost of extension maintenance every six weeks or so.
How Do Sew-in Hair Extensions Work?
Sew-in extensions are weft extensions or strands of hair attached to fabric. They are designed to be sewn into the hair.
You'll find sew-in extensions in straight, curly, kinky, and wavy textures at your local beauty supply store and online.
Human hair sew-in extensions last several months, or even up to a year, with adequate care. Sew-in extensions are reusable and should be removed and re-installed after 6 to 8 weeks in most cases. Some ladies in our audience have worn them for up to ten weeks.
How Sew-in Extensions Work
It's easy to understand how sew-in extensions work - installation is relatively straightforward. To get a sew-in, you or a professional will need to cornrow your natural hair.
The cornrows will act as a base to sew the extensions onto. Once the braids are complete, you'll use a curved needle and thread to sew the extensions onto the braids. You can then style the extensions as desired.
Sew-in Extension Tips and Considerations
Traction alopecia, or hair loss caused by repeated pulling on your hair and scalp, is a real risk with tight sew-ins and other high-tension hairstyles. It isn’t rare, either. A study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology examined African schoolgirls and women and found traction alopecia in 31.7% of the women studied. This figure included all tension-producing hairstyles, not sew-ins alone.
Watching the tension during installation matters, but it isn’t the whole story. The same research found that only 18.9% of participants with traction alopecia had never experienced hairdressing-related symptoms beforehand. In other words, more than four out of five noticed at least one warning sign before the hair loss appeared.
Treat pain, tenderness, stinging, or bumps around your braids as signs that your sew-in is too tight. Ask your stylist to loosen the braids instead of waiting for your scalp to adjust, and watch your edges closely, since the hair along your hairline is the finest and gives way first. Be especially careful if your hair is relaxed. In the study, adding traction to relaxed hair was associated with about three and a half times the odds of traction alopecia compared to wearing natural hair.
Are Sew-in Extensions for You?
Sew-in extensions are for people who want a low-maintenance style with many styling possibilities.
If you have healthy hair of normal to thick density and money for professional installations (or the ability to do your own sew-ins), sew-in extensions are a great option to consider. But if your hair is damaged, you should definitely pass on this extension type.
If you're not too keen on sewing extension wefts to your hair, you can glue them in with hair bonding glue.
While glue-in extensions are easier to install, the glue can be tough to remove. So, if you decide to try this extension type, we advise that you use proper glue remover to minimize damage.
How Do Clip-in Hair Extensions Work?
Clip-in extensions are wefts of hair attached to clips. They come in various hair textures, colors, and densities. People praise them for their undetectability and ease of use.
Human hair clip-ins last for 3 to 6 months on average, but if you don't wear them often, they can last much longer.
Synthetic clip-in extensions last only a fraction of the time - you'd be lucky if they last longer than a few weeks. You should remove your clip-ins nightly.
How Clip-in Extensions Work
Clip-in extensions are user-friendly, being that all you have to do is place the clips at the roots of your natural hair and clamp them down.
If your hair is free of oil and slippery substances, the clip-ins will stay put until you're ready to remove them.
These hair extensions are not meant to be left in for weeks at a time, as they can add considerable stress to your hair, especially if it's thin, fine, or damaged.
People who wear these extensions overnight may experience breakage and hair thinning from the tension, not to mention the fact that sleeping with clips in your hair is uncomfortable.
So, professional stylists recommend removing clip-in extensions every night and reinstalling them in the morning if desired.
It may seem like a drag to have to reapply clip-in extensions every day, but it's the best thing you can do for your natural hair if you opt for these extensions.
Are Clip-ins a Good Fit for You?
Clip-in extensions may be a good fit for you if (1) you have normal to thick hair without damage and (2) you don't mind reapplying the hair extensions daily. Since clip-in hair extensions attach directly to your roots, they're very popular and easy to use. Many people swear by clip-in extensions since they allow them to transform their look whenever they want.
How Do Fusion and Pre-bonded Hair Extensions Work?
Pre-bonded extensions are a lesser-known extension type that is hailed for its seamless and natural look. They are groups of extension hair joined by a nearly invisible keratin bond.
The hair extensions last for several months, just like the other extension types mentioned above. However, you must go back to your stylist and have them refitted every month or two.
How Pre-bonded Extensions Work
Pre-bonded extensions require heat to fuse to your natural hair. During installation, the stylist will take tiny sections of your hair, place a pre-bonded extension strand on top of your natural hair section, and then use a melting tool to fuse the extensions to your natural hair.
After melting the keratin bond, mold the extension strand to your natural hair by rolling it in between your thumb and forefinger. Doing so will ensure that the bond is secure.
Are Pre-bonded Extensions for You?
Since pre-bonded extensions require heat, you should consider the condition of your hair before giving these hair extensions a try.
The heat from the melting tool can cause direct damage to your roots and lead to brittleness and breakage over time. For people with healthy hair, this may not be an issue, but if your hair is compromised in any way, consider another extension option.
Other Types of Extensions and How They Work
This list would not be complete without mentioning halo extensions, micro ring extensions, and wigs. Let's take a brief look at each of these hair extensions.
- Halo Hair Extensions - Halo extensions are thick hair extensions attached to a wire. To install these extensions, all you need to do is place the wire near the crown of your head (like you'd wear a headband) with the extension hair hanging downward. Then use your natural hair to hide the wire.
- Micro Ring Extensions - Micro ring extensions are small extension hair sections with a ring near the top. To install micro ring extensions, you'd thread your natural hair and the extension hair through the micro ring and then clamp it shut to secure.
- Wigs - Wigs are a type of extension that you wear, like a hat. Wigs come in a wide variety of styles, colors, textures, and at virtually any price point. To wear a wig, put it on your head and go! You can sew or glue a wig down for extra security if necessary.
How to Style Your Hair with Extensions
How Do Hand-Tied Hair Extensions Work?
Hand-tied hair extensions involve attaching small wefts of hair to your natural hair using a special technique that involves hand-tying each weft to your hair using thread. The result is a natural-looking, seamless extension that moves and flows just like your own hair. Hand-tied extensions are known for their durability and longevity, lasting up to six months.
How Do Cinderella Hair Extensions Work?
Cinderella hair extensions work by using a keratin bond to attach little bundles of hair to your natural hair. The keratin bond is melted with a special tool and then wrapped around your natural hair, fusing the extension to your hair. Cinderella extensions are known for their versatility and can be customized to suit any hair type, length, or color.
How Do Flat Tip Hair Extensions Work?
With flat-tip hair extensions, small wefts of hair are attached to your natural hair using a small, flat-tip bead. The bead is clamped onto your natural hair using a special tool, securing the extension in place. Flat-tip extensions are known for their natural-looking appearance and can be styled just like your own hair.
How Do 6D Hair Extensions Work?
6D hair extensions are a newer type of extension that use a microbead technique to attach small wefts of hair to your natural hair. The hair extensions are attached using a small bead that has six grooves, allowing for a more secure hold. 6D extensions are known for their natural-looking appearance and can be totally customized to suit you.
How Do Hair Extensions Stay In?
Hair extensions can stay in using a variety of methods, including clip-ins, tape-ins, and sew-ins. Clip-in extensions are the easiest to attach by using small clips that snap into place. Tape-in extensions use double-sided tape to attach the extensions to your natural hair, while sew-in extensions are sewn onto braided natural hair using a needle and thread.
Can You Brush Your Hair With Extensions?
You can brush your hair with extensions, but it's important to be gentle and use the right tools. It's best to use a soft-bristle brush or a brush specifically designed for hair extensions to avoid damage. You should also prevent pulling and tangling by starting at the ends of your hair and working your way up to the roots.
Can You Shower With Extensions?
You can shower with hair extensions, but avoid washing your hair every day, as this can cause the extensions to become tangled and matted. When you do wash your hair, use a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner, and avoid using hot water, as this can cause the hair extensions to loosen or fall out. Gently squeeze out any excess water.
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The types of hair extensions are seemingly endless, including semi-permanent hair extensions, temporary hair extensions, micro bead hair extensions, Remy human hair extensions, and much more. The list can go on and on.
By now, you probably realize why we couldn't give you a single answer for how hair extensions work. We hope that this article has given you some actionable information that you can use to choose the perfect hair extensions for you.
