Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Hair Extensions

Clip-in Hair Extensions

Clip-in hair extensions are the most used temporary hair extensions. These extensions have small combs like clips attached to the base. All a wearer has to do is secure those clips in natural hair and hide the clips with the help of the hair section. Applying clip-in hair extensions is comparatively easier and does not require expert supervision. One can easily apply it at home.

Clip-in hair extensions can be worn and removed daily, making them ideal for those suffering from active hair loss. Temporary hair extensions do not weigh down the natural hair. Thus, there is a lesser risk of damage to natural hair.

Clip-in hair extensions are also an affordable and quick solution to hair thinning. Anyone can make the most of these extensions from teenagers to aged women by wearing them in a snap.

Halo Hair Extensions

Halo hair extensions are other temporary extensions that do not damage natural hair. Instead of small clips, these hair extensions are attached with a wire at the base. Unlike small clip-in hair extension sections, a halo extension is a single long hairpiece in which hair strands are attached to the wire, and the wearer is supposed to fix this wire above the crown like a hairband.

Wearing halo hair extensions takes less than 30 seconds; therefore, it best suits those who always run out of time and want a quicker solution to add thickness and length to natural hair. Halo hair extensions feel comfortable against the scalp, and one can wear them all day long without feeling added pressure.

Halo extensions are even better than clip-in extensions in terms of hair damage. Installing and removing small metal clips every day may damage some of your natural hair; however, removing a bigger headpiece headband-like hairpiece is subjected to a more secure attachment.

Tape-in Hair Extensions

Tape-in hair extensions are categorized under semi-permanent extensions and require a hair expert to install. Hair strands are attached to an adhesive tape-like base which is supposed to be attached to your natural hair. The hair expert takes a small section of your hair and secures it between tape-in extensions by adding one extension above and another one below. You can call it a hair sandwich.

Depending upon the required hair density, it takes approximately 45 to 50 minutes to attach 25 to 30 hair extensions. Tape-in extensions are recommended to be removed every six to eight weeks to break natural hair. Tugging in extensions creates an added burden on the scalp, damaging natural hair in the long run.

Tape-in hair extensions are perfect for boosting volume. This type of extension is recommended more to those having naturally thicker hair texture so that hair strands hold the tape-in extensions in place and bear the force.

Different hairstyles like messy buns, high ponytails, and fashionable braids can be easily styled with tape-in extensions.

Bonded Hair Extensions

Bonded hair extensions are advanced permanent extensions that look more natural than tape-in or sew-in hair extensions. This type of hair extension has a protein keratin bond attached to the base. A hair expert is required to affix these bonded extensions to your hair. The expert will make a row after parting natural hair in two sections. Each extension is placed and heated along the hairline so that protein would melt, fixing the extensions to the natural hairline.

Due to smaller bonds, these extensions look very natural. With proper care and maintenance, bonded hair extensions can last up to six months. If the extensions are made with human hair, no one can differentiate between your natural hair and the extensions.

I-Tip Hair Extensions

I-tip hair extensions resemble a shoelace in shape. The attaching end has a small plastic tube that needs to be fixed along the natural hairline. A hair expert will make a section by parting the hair on your head where the hair thinning is most prominent. In this section, each extension thread will be placed along the hairline, and the expert will punch it with the help of a heating gun or punching tool.

Then I tip hair extensions with silicone punches or copper tubes threaded into natural hair before providing heat to affix them. This method can prove to be a bit harsh for natural hair and scalp, making it prone to damage. It is not recommended for those struggling with medical hair loss or hair thinning due to sensitive scalp.

U Tip Hair Extension

U tip hair extensions have a nail-shaped keratin base. The hair expert will place a few strands of your natural hair in the U-shaped base and provide appropriate heat, melting the keratin base. The melted keratin will bond the extensions tightly to your natural hair, making it look like a part of your scalp.

U tip hair extensions can last up to six months, provided the wearer takes proper care of them. Frequent exposure to heating tools and harsh chemicals can make the extensions look dull and frizzy.

Applying U tip hair extensions requires a clean residual-free scalp; therefore, U tip extensions are not recommended to those having color-treated hair or naturally curly hair, which are difficult to clean. In that case, I-tip hair extensions would be a better choice. Hair experts prefer I-tip hair extensions over U-tip extensions due to heat-free fusion.

Flat Tip Hair Extension

A flare bead is attached at the base of flat tip extensions. Hair experts thread natural hair into the flare bead and compress it with the help of a unique punching tool. Applying flat tip hair extensions does not involve any heat, adhesive, or glue, making it a perfect choice for women struggling with hair thinning but walking away from extensions out of the fear of damage to natural hair.

The flare bead allows 360-degree hair movement, unlike tape-in extensions in which movement is restricted. The bonds are entirely invisible, while hair can rotate easily in any direction.

V Tip Hair Extension

The bonds in U tip hair extensions can be detectable at times. V tip hair extensions are similar to U tip extensions in function; however, the keratin base is much flatter than the U tip to make the bond invisible. After applying the required heat, this extension utilizes a high-quality Keratin protein base that melts and affixes to natural hair.

V tip hair extensions can last up to three months. Different hairstyles can be easily pulled off with the help of these extensions. V tip bonds make a flat appearance and look extremely natural.

Sew in Hair Extensions

As the name shows, sew-in hair extensions are threaded with needles and threads into natural hair. It’s a relatively permanent extension that requires a lengthy and somewhat painful procedure of installing extensions to natural hair. Some sections of hair are weaved into braids, and extensions are sewn into those weaves for a firmer grip. The method is not recommended for those having genetically thin hair textures.

It suits those who want a permanent solution to hair thinning. However, most hair experts do not suggest it to their clients due to the damage it causes to natural hair.

Micro Ring Hair Extensions

Tiny rings are attached to the extension roots, which keep the extension in place. Micro ring extensions are the most incredible semi-permanent hair extensions. These extensions can be applied at home. All you need to do is take a few hair strands and attach the micro ring to those strands, 1 cm away from the scalp. These are the most petite undetectable rings that do not require additional adhesive or heat to be tucked in.

The extensions can be easily removed and reused. However, removing extensions daily is not recommended as applying micro ring hair extensions is a time-consuming process. Additionally, installing micro rings daily can damage natural hair to some extent.

Weft Hair Extensions

Weft hair extensions are stitched hairpieces that are applied to the hairline with the help of surgical adhesives. These extensions have a flat wefted base that needs to be glued to the scalp. It is a semi-permanent method to add volume and length to hair. Weft extensions lay flatly against the scalp; thus, one weft is recommended for medium density, while two wefts must be applied if you want thicker hair.

Strong adhesive can damage the scalp and natural hairline. The weft hair extensions do not suit those having a sensitive scalp.

Ponytail Hair Extensions

These are the wrap-around hair extensions to create sleek and long ponytails. Ponytails do not look great unless the hair has medium to thick density. Ponytail hair extensions are temporary extensions to create fuller and thicker striking ponytails. These are pre-styled extensions that are attached to a wrap-around band. A wearer has to make a pony with natural hair and wrap the extension around, and voila!

Ponytail extensions are ideal for those who love this hairstyle but lack desired hair thickness. Messy buns and braids can also be made with the help of ponytail extensions.