Hair Extension

Hair extensions first gained their popularity with celebrities, who used them to enhance lavish looks or to save themselves the horror of having to weather a bad haircut. Hair extensions can be attached to your own hair to cleverly provide the illusion of a long, flowing mane or to add volume to limp locks. They've become so ubiquitous on the Hollywood scene that anytime you find yourself wondering how a star got such amazing hair, extensions are likely to be involved. Their popularity has spilled over to the general public, where many different types of hair extensions are now offered.

Wearing Hair Extensions

Hair extensions can be used without damaging your hair, and in fact, can assist your own hair to grow longer and healthier. You can use hair extensions to make your hair up to 30 long, but they usually look best when they are no longer than 22 inches. Otherwise, the extra weight starts to place too much extra weight on the scalp.

Ideally, hair extensions shouldn't hurt. If they do, you are not dealing with a very good hair extension artist. Cornrows and braids are commonly used to attach the hair extensions, but they do not have to be tight in order to be secure. Hair extensions typically last for several months before they need to be removed and redone. Having hair extensions applied can take anywhere from 3 to 7 hours.

When combing your hair extensions, use a soft brush. Start brushing the hair from the bottom and work your way up. Prevent tangling by running your fingers through the braids, and do not spray hair extensions with conditioners or any silicone based products that can loosen the braids and cause them to slip.

Types of Hair Used in Hair Extensions

Synthetic hair is considered the worst kind of hair for extensions, simply because it will never look natural. In some fashion circles synthetic hair is popular for dreadlock extensions.

European Hair is dark hair from southern Italy and Spain. Due to its attractiveness and durability, it is the most popular hair used for extensions. The color is completely stripped from the hair, which is then dyed in a spectrum of blond, brunette, red, and other tones. Because hair extensions receive extensive chemical treatments, it is important to choose the appropriate hair color or blend. You will be unable to color the hair extensions.

Raw or Virgin Hair is the best quality hair used in extensions, because it is specifically grown for such use. It is called Raw or Virgin because it is simply natural hair that is left completely untreated. Brunette hair comes from a brunette, blond from a blond, etc. It is typically grown by families living in the European Artic Circle, whose members have been growing hair for wigs and extensions for many generations. These types of hair extensions can last for many years, but are more expensive.

Hair Extension Techniques

There are many different techniques used to apply hair extensions, so some consideration should be given before you rush into the hair salon. Choosing the right hair extensions will depend on:

What kind of hair you have

What you're looking to accomplish

How much time and money you're willing to invest.

Individual strands and wefts are the most common way of applying extensions. The individual strand method involves using extension hair, which may be natural or synthetic, and applying it to small sections of hair. This may be done through weaving, heat fusing, gluing, or clamping the extensions to a person's natural hair. Waxes and polymers may also be used. Wefts resemble little curtains of hair. The best wefts are handmade.

By Doug Vanisky

Hair Extension

Related Links: