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Hair Extensions by Type: When to Use Which?
Hair extensions are extremely popular today. Celebrities are using them all the time and they are now affordable enough to ensure any of us has access to them. However, with so many types of hair extensions out there it’s hard to pick exactly what you should use. To make the right choice, you need to understand the exact differences between common hair extension types. Also, you need to decide how you want to use them. This will allow you to pick between permanent, semi-permanent, and single-use extensions.
Choosing the Right Hair Extensions: Natural or Synthetic?
Unless you want to look like someone from some weird sci-fi future dystopia, you should choose extensions made with natural hair. Note that synthetic hair is very good today as well. However, it will never look 100% natural.
On the other hand, synthetic hair can be long-lasting and it can be permanently styled and retain the shape perfectly.
Natural hair will behave similarly to your real natural hair, which is why it can blend in seamlessly.
Best Hair Extensions for Different Hair Types
If your hair is naturally thick
If you have naturally thick hair, you are in luck because you have a chance to use many types of hair extensions. You can start with regular clip-ins as they are the easiest to handle and very affordable. You literally clip them into your hair and enjoy a new look for a few hours. You shouldn’t wear them for over 12 hours. But this type is the best if you want to simply try out how you look with extensions before using something more permanent.
The best option that will last longer for thick hair is a weave. This method requires braiding your natural hair close to the scalp. The stylist will then sew in wefts into the braid. This application method boosts the hair volume greatly and also allows the extensions to look completely natural. You can wear a weave for 2-4 months, but no longer as this will affect your natural hair growth.
If you have medium-thick hair
If your hair isn’t particularly thick, but it’s not fine either, you can use any type of extensions, except the weave. But don’t be upset because you can use wefts attached with microbeads, which are just as good. They will also look natural and last for up to 4 months.
Keratin bond hair extensions are an option if you have this type of hair, and this option is the most versatile by far. These extensions are easier to apply compared to weaves or microlinks. These extensions are attached with some type of adhesive. Therefore, you need to be careful and use the help of a professional stylist. Incorrect application might cause serious damage to your natural hair. However, if applied right, these extensions will look completely natural and boost your hair volume. You can use these extensions for up to 4 months as well and they don’t require any special treatment.
If you have very fine hair
Not so long ago you couldn’t use any hair extensions with thin hair because they were too noticeable. However, today there are weft extensions attached to PU skin and tape extensions with very thin strips of tape. Some of them don’t’ require heat for application. Therefore, they are very safe to use.
These types of extensions can blend into thin hair seamlessly and give it volume as well as length. Depending on the type of adhesive used, they can last from a few weeks to up to 4 months.
You can apply some tape extensions on your own. But this will require practice to make sure they aren’t noticed.
If your hair is damaged
You shouldn’t wear any type of extensions if your natural hair is damaged in any way. No matter how safe the application method is, extensions with damaged hair will always compound the damage. This can be very dangerous and result in hair loss. In extreme cases, the hair loss might be permanent.
Therefore, you should always make your hair healthy before thinking of using extensions. If you aren’t sure whether it’s safe to use them consult a professional. Even then, start by using clip-ins or tape extensions that aren’t permanent. This way you’ll see how well your natural hair adapts to the addition.
