Different Types of Hair Extensions

There are so many different types of hair extensions that it gets confusing and overwhelming at times that which ones to opt for. Hair extensions have become all the hype over the years with more and more celebrities opting for them including Kylie Jenner and Jennifer Lopez among others. Not all of us are blessed with naturally long and beautiful hair, and growing them to perfection often is a long course and to save us the time, hair extensions come to the rescue. So here's a detailed look at the different kind of extensions available and it will help you select the ones to suit you best.

The Difference Between Human Hair & Synthetic Extensions

The first question to ask yourself is whether you would want to have real human hair extensions or the synthetic kind. There is a difference between both as real human hair is collected from a donor and the cuticles of the hair remain intact and run in the same direction at the time of collection which ensures that the extensions remain silky and smooth for a lifetime.

Synthetic hair is fashioned from synthetic plastic fibres that are very fine and look just the same as real human hair. Depending on the quality of the synthetic extensions, at times they can be stiff or coarse to feel and do not blend in as perfectly as human hair. Human hair on the other hand feels and looks real as it is, of course, real hair.

One more advantage of human hair extension is that they can be coloured, dyed, curled and straightened just like your natural hair, while synthetic hair can not even be styled with heat as it can be melted off or severely damaged. Even exposure to the sun for a longer duration can deeply damage synthetic hair extensions. While human hair extensions are slightly expensive, but they are worth the investment, and synthetic hair extensions may be cheap but do not have the same quality as that of human hair.

The Different Types of Hair Extensions

1. Clip-in Hair Extensions

Clip-in Hair Extensions are the most popular as they are easy to use and do not cause any damage to your hair. Clip-in Hair Extensions come with a built-in clip that is attached at the base either with fabric or silicone. They are also the least permanent as they can be removed quickly and also reused. Clip-in hair extensions also cause no damage to your hair as no heat or chemicals are involved in the installation process. Like all human hair extensions, these can be styled and coloured, and are also low-maintenance as they require a wash only after every 10-15 wears. Depending on how you care for them, clip-in extensions last for up to six months.

2. Weave/ Sew-in Hair Extensions

More suitable for people with naturally thick hair, weave extensions are applied by braiding the natural hair into cornrows and using a needle and thread to sew the weave into the braid or cornrow. It is a long process and also puts strain on the scalp, but the end result is flawless and seamless as the weave seems to be literally sewn on to your scalp. You will have to put in extra care to maintain your natural hair, and use a conditioner so that your hair is not damaged. The weave also has to be taken out every 6-8 weeks so that it does not effect the growth of your natural hair.

3. Tape-in Hair Extensions

As the name suggests tape-in extensions are taped or glued to your natural hair, as close to your roots as possible so that they look real. They are applied with a heated glue so that they don't come off easily. In order to take them off, you will have to use a hair glue remover. The process of application and removal is usually done by a professional. If you style your hair you have to be careful as very oily products can weaken your tape-in extensions. These extensions are semi-permanent and last 4-8 weeks.

4. Pre-Bonded Hair Extensions

Bonded or Pre-Bonded Hair Extensions are also known as Fusion Hair Extensions and basically involve a hot glue gun that glues hair extensions to your natural hair. This type of hair extension method is the most damaging to the natural hair as heat and the chemicals in the hair glue cause a lot of damage. Pre-bonded Hair Extensions are treated just like your natural hair and you can continue to use your regular products, however, repositioning of the extensions is required every three months or so, depending on the growth of your hair.

5. Microlink Hair Extensions

Microlink Hair Extensions are also known as micro loop or micro bead hair extensions and are applied to tiny sections of the hair using a silicone-lined bead. The bead is then tightened and secured using a special tool. No glue or heat is used in this process, however, the method can be very damaging if not done by a professional. These semi-permanent hair extensions last up to 3 months, depending on your natural hair's growth, and take about 2-3 hours to apply. For these types of extensions also you can use your regular styling products and wash your hair when needed.