What Are the Different Types of Hair Extensions?

What Are the Different Types of Hair Extensions? Long, thick, voluminous, and shiny hair is always in trend and also adds better value to the overall look book. But very often people require additional elements called hair extensions to get the desired hair type. These hair extensions are certainly the style savior and allow individuals to stay turned on with the changing hairstyling trends.

 Along with the fact that extensions bring elation, there are several questions crossing the human mind relating to the types of hair extensions available and how can they serve the individual purpose. But before we choose outright fit it’s important to ensure that it shall be the natural hair extension as synthetic extensions can actually limit styling by making it difficult to heat.

5 Different Types of Hair Extensions

Clip-in Hair Extensions

These are the most affordable hair extensions also known as clip-in wefts which merely take 10 to 15 minutes to be fixed. They are available in the strand of contoured pieces which are attached at the base with silicone or fabric material. All that we need to do is clip the pieces to the natural by opening and closing the clip snaps with ease.

These are certainly the less permanent way of adding extensions but are preferred worldwide because of their least damaging nature as they do not involve any heat, chemical, pressure, or rigorous installation methods. Moreover, being the human hair extensions these require low maintenance lets’ say 15-20 wash unless there is a lot of product built on it.

Also, one can experiment with any form of hairstyling – curled, colored, straightened, or anything else in that order. Depending on the care and the use, these hair extensions can last from 4-6 months to a year to even more.

Tape-In Hair Extensions

As the name suggests these extensions are pre-taped but the hairdresser applies tape-ins to align them with the roots too. Additionally, the heated tool is used to heat the glue and ensure a strong fix.

The complete process of applying for tape-in hair extensions usually takes 40 to 60 minutes. Since the process involves extreme heating every time it’s removed and reaffixed therefore it increases the probability of hair damage. 

Also, one has to be careful while conditioning, washing, or using any product on these hair extensions to ensure that glue does not become weak. Being thicker in features these extensions give picture-perfect hair, therefore are best suited for people with very thin and less voluminous hair. These extensions are semi-permanent in nature and last for 4-8 weeks if cared for well. 

Sew-ins/Weaven Hair Extensions

These oldest forms of hair extensions are secured to the scalp by sewing and braiding them with the natural hair horizontally. After braiding the natural hair into cornrows, the needle and thread are used to sew the weave.

Preferably, these extensions are used by people with thicker hair because of their application method and most importantly require a professional hairdresser to do the job. Its tight application does not just require more time but also puts a strain on the scalp which might make it uncomfortable and heavy.

Yet these hair extensions are way more popular because of their permanent and seamless nature which is a result of deep sewing which cannot easily come off. Also, the special protein-based product shall be used for conditioning them weekly in order to minimize hair damage and weakening.

Besides this, these extensions shall only be kept weaved for a maximum period of 4 months to avoid negative impacts on natural hair growth.

Fusion & Pre-Bonded Hair Extensions

The Fusion Hair Extensions are fondly known as bonding or pre-bonded extensions and require approximately 3 to 4 hours for completing the application process. It involves the use of a hot glue gun –like a machine for gluing the hair with the individual strands of the natural hair. 

The downside of the fusion extension is that the involvement of too much heat is responsible for severe hair damage such as hair loss, scalp irritation, breakage. As a result, a hairdresser always warns individuals of the cons attached to it.

The biggest reason to prefer these forms of hair extensions is the fact that they can be treated with similar ease as that of natural hair with no different products. However, these extensions are semi-permanent in nature and require repositioning every 2-3 months.

Micro link Hair Extensions

These are known as Micro bead hair extensions which are applied by attaching tiny wefts of hair to each smallest section of the natural hair with the help of a silicon-line bead. Here, the best part is the use of the special tool to tighten and hold the extension in the place, not the glue or heat.

The process is quite technical and therefore it is important for the professionals to correctly install beads to avoid excessive pressure on the scalp leading to pulling off at the roots. Like Fusion extensions, these can be washed, conditioned, and styled like natural hair too.

Final Words

Evidently, every hair extension comes with its own pros and cons which make them customized to everybody’s suitability. The only thing it requires is a thorough understanding of one’s hair type with the help of a professional so that hair extensions do not exercise pressure on the scalp and lead to damages.

Another important fact that needs sincere consideration is the maintenance need with the particular hair extension. Since now you know what all hair extension options are available so go ahead and find your best fit.