Different Types of Hair Extensions

There are many different types of hair extensions with different methods of application. Everyone has unique hair in terms of colour, length, thickness, and style. For this reason, one type of extension may work for one person but not necessarily for someone else.

The type of extension to go for will also depend on your personal preference and budget. The period of wear and the care and maintenance required is unique to each extension method. Some are of less maintenance than others.

The Types of Hair Extensions

Hair extensions can be synthetic or actual real human hair. Synthetic extensions are cheaper than real hair, although they usually don’t last as long at all. These extensions give the chance to change the look of your hair and style without any damages, they include:

• Temporary – worn and taken in and out daily or weekly. Ideal where large hairpieces are required. These include ponytails and clip-ins.

• Semi-permanent – the extensions are smaller and undetectable when worn.

• Permanent – these are continuously worn for a longer period and include micro rings or nano rings.

Our range of real human hair extensions come in a wide variety of colours with different lengths and methods of application available to choose from:

1. Tape

These semi-permanent hair extensions are pre-taped and applied onto your hair using tape. They are undetectable and invisible as they look very natural and cause no damage to your hair if fitted and removed by a professional. The tape-ins will be recommended by your hairdresser when you need to align the extensions with your hair roots. The extensions are applied by sandwiching your hair within the tapes.

The process of attaching tapes is short and takes an average of 40 minutes to an hour. The extensions are easy to apply as no tools or chemicals are required. When properly applied they can last in perfect condition for up to 3 months. This is a popular choice for many of our ladies who have thin or fine hair.

The extensions can be removed for maintenance and refitted with recommendations from your hairdresser every 6-8 weeks. Lower temperatures are recommended for blow drying and caution must be taken when using oil-based hair products as they can loosen the tapes and slide them off. We offer a range of hair care products specially designed for hair extensions available on our online shop.

2. Clip-ins

Clip-ins are temporary hair extensions that are easy to apply and remove. You can safely style your hair quickly and attain your goal look without committing to any permanent hair extensions.

Generally, clip-in wefts are pieces of hair with clips sewn at their base using silicone or fabric. This type of extension requires less commitment and can promote the growth of natural hair. The extensions can last up to 6 months with proper care however regularly worn.

This technique of hair extension takes an approximate time of 5-15 minutes to apply. They are also easy and quick to remove. This type of extension is least damaging to your hair since there is no pressure, heat, tools, or chemicals involved in its application.

Clip-ins can be used at home due to their ease of application and removal. The maintenance needed by this method is very little. For synthetic clip-ins, heat-styling cannot be applied as used for real human hair. Real human hair clip-in extensions can be styled just like natural hair. Low heat styling and use of heat protectant of the real hair extensions are recommended.

3. Pre-bonded

Pre-bonded extensions – also called keratin extensions or fusion bonds, are semi-permanent. It involves the attachment of bonds on the extensions to roots of natural hair using heat. The extensions are fused to normal hair using adhesive keratin resin.

The pre-glued tips are then heated to melt the resin making it bond to your hair. The pre-bonded hair extensions require application by a professional due to the precaution needed in handling the adhesive resin and the heated clamp.

This method is suitable for most hair types but is better suited for fine-haired ladies. With proper care, fusion bond extensions can be worn for around 4-5 months.

This type of extension is treated and cared for like natural hair hence the same products apply. Due to hair growth, the extensions require full removal after 4-5 months. If not fitted and removed correctly by a professional the bonds might cause scalp irritation, or hair breakage.

4. Micro-rings

Micro-rings also called stick tips, micro-beads or micro-loops are very discreet extensions. The method utilizes no glue or heat for application. It involves silicon-lined metal rings. Natural hair is looped between the extensions, threaded through the silicone rings and the tips closed shut with pliers holding the extensions firm.

This method is not suitable for those with fine hair or light blonde hair as the rings might be visible. Clients whose hair gets oily quickly are also discouraged against this technique as the rings can slip and slide down or loosen. This extension method is best with darker colours as well as medium to thick hair types.

Micro rings are popular as they are a re-usable technique with clients able to get the same hair moved up a couple of times. The method also does not use heat or chemicals hence no damage to natural hair. Although caution should be taken to make sure the rings are not too tight to pull or cut your hair. The hair can also be re-used by getting the extensions moved up so this is a healthy approach. The rings are also flexible and can be adjusted along the hair shaft. The extensions allow you to switch hairstyles, and use a lot of products.

The application of this type of extension takes 2-4 hours and lasts up to 6-9 months. It is recommended to get the extensions repositioned after 6-10 weeks to avoid matting and damage to your natural hair.

5. Weave Hair extensions

This is a seamless and semi-permanent hair extension technique. Micro rings are attached to rows of the natural hair before the weave is sewn into the rows using a thread and needle. This type of extension is best suited for ladies with thicker hair due to its method of application.

The weave application process is relatively quick, taking up to an hour. The process is safe and secure but might feel slightly uncomfortable for the first few days. An experienced stylist is ideal for applying this method with its difficulty and technicality.

Deep conditioning hair products are recommended for all extension methods. To avoid or minimise damage to human hair extensions, a protein product should be used.

Weaves should be removed and refitted after 6-8 weeks to allow for hair growth. The maximum time to wear a weave is 3 months after which it will have grown down so far and need to be removed,