Human Hair Extensions: Types, Application, and Comprehensive Care Guide

For modern women seeking versatility and style, human hair extensions offer a fantastic way to enhance volume, length, and overall look. To ensure these extensions maintain their health and longevity, proper care, especially washing and conditioning, is essential. This article delves into the diverse types of human hair extensions available, their application methods, and detailed care guidelines to keep them looking their best.

Types of Hair Extensions

There are several types of hair extensions, each with unique application methods, textures, and longevity. Understanding these differences is crucial for choosing the right type for your hair and lifestyle. According to Rauchut, there are four main types of hair extensions.

1. Tape-In Hair Extensions

Ideal for those with normal to thick hair, tape-in extensions create a cascading veil effect. They are reusable up to three times, making them convenient for touching up hair color within that period. The removal and reapplication process takes about one to two hours, with a wear time of six to eight weeks. Tape-in hair is sandwiched between adhesive strips, creating a flat and seamless application.

Care Tips:

Avoid scrubbing or rubbing the hair vigorously, especially around the tape area.
Focus conditioner on the ends of the hair, avoiding the tape areas to prevent loosening the adhesive.

2. Clip-In Hair Extensions

Clip-in extensions are incredibly easy to use and can be applied at home in just a few minutes. These extensions are the least damaging since they don't require chemicals or harsh solutions for securing the faux hair. They can be removed easily and washed approximately once every 15 wears. Clip-ins are versatile and work well for a wide range of hair types. Clip in hair extensions are improved from weave hair bundles which made by sewing or gluing hair wefts onto small clips. The clips are designed for easy attachment and removal, making them a temporary option for adding length and volume.

3. Flip-In Hair Extensions

Flip-in hair extensions are versatile and easy to apply and remove, making them a popular choice for those wanting a quick change. These extensions feature an invisible wire at the crown of the head, which the wearer conceals by pulling their natural hair over the top. With no tapes or clips involved, they are convenient for occasional wear. However, they are less secure than other types and may need adjustment throughout the day.

Read also: Bambi Eyes with Human Hair Lashes

4. Bonded Hair Extensions (Keratin Bond Extensions)

Also known as keratin bond extensions, these are flexible at the root, making them suitable for those who style their hair regularly or wear low ponytails. Application can take three to six hours, and they can be worn for two to four months. Keratin bonds are less visible and more customizable, allowing for a full transformation by adding length or volume, or filling in a shallow spot. Bonded hair extensions are ideal for fine hair types.

5. Halo Hair Extensions

Halo hair extensions are easy to style and perfect for those seeking a low-maintenance option. A single weft (hair strands sewn onto a thin cloth strip) is secured by a barely visible thread that lays on the head’s natural curve. This type is excellent for those curious about extensions but not ready for a more permanent application. Halo hair extensions can last three to five years and take two to three hours to apply when fitted to the whole head.

6. Micro-Link Hair Extensions

Also known as micro-bead and micro-loop extensions, these are applied by threading small sections of natural hair through tiny silicone-lined beads. A special tool secures the extension strand to the hair. This versatile extension type takes two to four hours to apply and doesn’t involve heat or glue. However, there is some risk of damage, especially to finer hair, due to the tightness of the application, which pulls the hair and scalp. Microlink hair extensions are made by binding small strands of human hair with tiny silicone tubes. Microlink beaded hair extensions are a type of semi-permanent hair extension that are applied by attaching small beads or cylinders to individual strands of natural hair.

7. Sew-In Hair Extensions

Particularly well-suited to thicker or coarser hair types, sew-in extensions are typically applied by braiding the hair into cornrows. Extension strands are then sewn into each braid using a needle and thread. These extensions can also come in wig form, sewn onto hair in a single piece. Sew-in extensions are an effective method for adding volume and length. However, they put a great deal of tension on the scalp, which can be uncomfortable and may cause hair breakage. Application is complicated and should be performed by a professional. Wearers should moisturize their scalps at least once a week and remove the extensions every six to eight weeks. When installing quick weave hair, some people avoid washing their hair thoroughly until the extensions are removed. Focus on the Roots: Since the natural hair is braided and the extensions are sewn into the braids, it’s important to focus on gently cleansing the scalp.

8. Hair weave bundles

Hair weave bundles (weft hair extensions) are made by aligning and sewing or bonding strands of hair into long wefts, ensuring the hair is securely held in place and aligned from root to tip to prevent tangling. When comparing Quick Weave vs. Sew-In Hair, the primary difference lies in the installation method.

Read also: Lasting Hair Graft Results

9. Braiding human hair

Braiding human hair is gathered together in a bundle or pack and tied or banded at the top, leaving the strands loose for braiding. Loosely braid your hair: If you decide to keep your hair extensions in overnight, gently braid your hair or wrap it up.

Cost of Hair Extensions

Pricing varies significantly by hair extension type. Bonded hair extensions (keratin bond extensions) are the most expensive, starting at around $2000 for the application due to their customizability and less visible bonds. Halo hair extensions are the most affordable, starting at around $200, with even less expensive options available online, and are easy to install yourself.

General Hair Extension Care

Like natural hair, extensions require proper care to maximize their lifespan and maintain a healthy appearance. Here are some general guidelines:

Keep Extensions Dry: Ensure extensions are dry after washing.
Brush Regularly: Always brush from the ends up to eliminate tugging and breakage when detangling. Brush your hair twice a day as a minimum. Brush your hair extensions in the morning and before bed every night to detangle anything you’ve built up during the day. It’s also a good idea to brush your hair if you feel it becoming tangled at any point during the day. You may want to make it a habit to carry around a brush or a wide-toothed comb with you during the day, so you have it if you need it. I recommend using an extension-safe brush with boar bristles and flexible bristles, like this one. How you brush your extensions is important too. To prevent breakage or shedding, you’ll want to place your hand at the top of your row or weft while brushing your hair. This will prevent excess pulling or tugging as you brush out your hair. It’s also a good idea to start brushing your hair from the bottom, removing any tangles, and working your way up to the top of your head from there. This method can also help to reduce the amount of pulling on your extensions. While brushing your hair extensions, just remember to be gentle. As with your natural hair, the goal is to detangle without breaking, so try not to yank the brush through the hair, but be patient and gentle when brushing your hair extensions. Rough brushing over the tops of your rows can cause looping at the seam of your wefts. When this happens, your hair extensions will need to be replaced. Lastly, don’t ever brush your hair extensions when wet. When your extensions are wet, they are more vulnerable to breakage. Instead of brushing your hair when wet, feel free to brush prior to getting your hair wet.
Avoid Chlorine and Salt Water: Submerging extensions in chlorine and salt water should be avoided.
Avoid Air-Drying: It’s important to refrain from air-drying after getting your bonded or taped-in extensions wet. Use a microfiber towel to blot your hair dry or use a blowdryer on low heat.
Styling Tools: When using styling tools, avoid the roots. Everything from the earlobe down is generally safe.

Addressing Damage

If hair extensions negatively impact your natural hair, take steps to repair the damage with quality haircare and supplements.

Detailed Hair Extension Care Guide: Dos & Don’ts

Maintaining hair extensions requires attention to detail. While extensions can be low maintenance, neglecting them can lead to damage and a shorter lifespan.

Read also: Customizing Your Hair Oil Blend

Do Hair Extensions Require A Lot Of Maintenance?

While hair extensions can be low maintenance, that doesn’t mean no maintenance. There are definitely things you’ll want to include in your daily hair extension care routine that are going to help you keep your hair looking and feeling healthy, and prolong the life of your extensions. As an added bonus, the better you care for your hair extensions, the less damaged your natural hair is likely to be AND you may be able to go for a longer period of time in between your move-up appointments. Just like your natural hair gets tangled, hair extensions will tangle too, but there are things you can do to lessen and prevent tangling - brushing is one of those things.

Washing Your Hair

Limit How Often You Wash Your Hair. When it comes to washing your extensions, this is where you want to be more low-maintenance. My recommendation is to wash your hair twice a week when you have extensions. If you wash your hair more, you’ll risk drying out your hair extensions. When your extensions are drier they can break easier, which can lead to more shedding and require you to replace your extensions more often. This is why I recommend just twice a week for washing your hair. When you do wash your hair, I HIGHLY recommend double shampooing for optimal scalp health! Once you’ve shampooed make sure to rinse your hair really well to ensure you don’t leave any product residue in your hair. You’ll also want to condition your hair. Conditioner should be used from mid shafts of your hair to the ends, never or only very little towards the root area or scalp. When you condition, focus on damaged or known dry areas of your hair. And, as I mentioned, you can also brush your hair BEFORE you get it wet (not after!). Washing and conditioning are important pieces of hair extension care, but what you use on your hair has an impact too.

The Importance of Hair Products

Whether you have extensions or not, the products you put in your hair make a difference in the health of your hair. That’s why you’ve likely heard of sulfate free shampoos or know about hair product build up in your hair. These things you know impact your natural hair also make a difference when you’re trying to take care of your hair extensions. So what products should you be using (or avoiding) to keep your hair extensions healthy? The main rule when it comes to hair care products for your extensions is to make sure you're using products that keep your hair hydrated, rather than drying it out. As I mentioned earlier, dry hair extensions are more prone to breakage. So to avoid excess breakage, there are a few things you can do to help keep your hair hydrated when you're choosing your hair care products.

Use Sulfate-Free Hair Products

Hair extensions are more prone to dry out than your own hair because they aren’t being replenished with oil or nutrients like your natural hair is. This means anything that is likely to cause your extensions to dry out should be avoided. Sulfates can dry out your extensions, making them more prone to damage like breakage or shedding. So it’s important to choose only sulfate free hair care products. If you are in a dry climate, like we are here in Bend and Central Oregon, choosing products that keep your extensions hydrated is even more important.

Regular Oil Use

Oil for your hair extensions is an important part of keeping them hydrated and preventing all the negative consequences of dry extensions. How much oil you use depends on the amount of hair and hair extensions you have, but start with less and you can always increase the amount you use. When you apply oil to your hair extensions apply from the mid-shaft to the ends of your hair.

Other Styling Products

Hair masks are another great product you can use to help keep your hair and extensions, fully hydrated. I recommend using a hair mask once or twice a month in place of your conditioner to get the maximum benefit. If you are heat styling your hair, be sure to use a heat and UV protectant before any heat styling. High heat can burn and discolor blonde extensions and this damage is unfortunately irreversible. You can also use salon professional styling products like hair spray, texture spray, or dry shampoo with your hair extensions. If you do, I always say less is more! And if you are using heavier styling products, be sure to double shampoo to ensure you remove all products from your hair.

Products to Avoid

Avoid any products with sulfates to prevent drying out your hair extensions. You’ll also want to skip using any strengthening or keratin-building products altogether. These products can actually have an adverse effect on your hair extensions because the protein these products often contain can make your extensions more brittle. More brittle extensions can lead to more damaged hair extensions rather than stronger, healthier locks like you might expect. Instead of using a strengthening treatment, use moisture-rich salon professional products only. Beyond sulfate free products, you’ll also want to avoid the following ingredients in any hair care products you are using: dimethicone, quaternium 80, 95, 16, sodium hydroxide, Moroccan oil, coconut oil, and silicon-based products.

Sleeping with Extensions

When you’re sleeping, you’re likely to be moving your head around during the normal course of your sleep. This can sometimes lead to tangling overnight, which is why I recommend brushing in the morning and before bed. But there are a few other simple things you can do to avoid any unnecessary tangling and subsequent damage to your extensions while you sleep.

Use Silk: To help reduce the amount of rubbing on your pillowcase, you can use a silk or satin pillowcase. Using these more frictionless materials will help reduce matting and frizz while you sleep.
Hairstyle: To reduce the amount of tangling at night, I also recommend putting your hair in a loose ponytail, loose top knot, or loose braids before you go to sleep. If doing a ponytail, a low one to the side is recommended. You can use whichever hairstyle you prefer for bed, but the point is to keep your hair from being completely loose. This will help prevent some of the natural friction that happens at night and protect against some of that natural tangling. If you use loose braids at night, you’ll likely have a nice wave in your hair for easier styling when you wake up.
Don’t Sleep With Wet Hair: My last tip for sleeping with hair extensions and it’s important, don’t ever sleep with your hair wet. I mentioned it earlier with brushing, but your hair is at its weakest when wet, so it’s important not to make the situation worse by sleeping on it that way. Seriously, avoid sleeping with wet hair and your extensions will thank you with less frizz and less breakage.

What Products Are Best To Use On Your Hair Extensions

Professional styling products are likely to be sulfate free, but always check the ingredients if you're unsure or using a new product. You can also ask your stylist for product recommendations that are sulfate free and will help moisturize your extensions rather than dry them out. Below are a few products I highly recommend to my hair extension clients to help them keep their hair extensions healthy.

Other Things You Shouldn’t Do With Extensions

I’ve covered the things you should do to care for your hair extensions in-depth and touched on a few things to avoid, but there are a few other things you should know not to do with your extensions to keep them healthy.

Use Excessive Heat Styling: I mentioned it a few times, but hair extensions are more prone to dry out, and styling with heat can just add to the dryness. If you want to keep your hair extensions looking healthy, avoid using heat to style your hair too often. If you’re following the other recommendations in this hair extension care guide, you’ll be washing your hair just a couple of times a week. This will reduce the need for you to blow dry your hair every day and you may find you don’t need to redo your styling with hot tools every day either. Small touch-ups with heat tools are fine on days in between washing but don’t forget to refresh with a new application of heat protectant each time to reactivate those benefits. I know it’s not always realistic to avoid the heat tools altogether, but if you can reduce your use it’ll do your hair extensions (and your natural hair) good. Air dry your hair as often as you can to avoid blow drying. Use natural styling methods (the braids at night), and if you choose to use heat styling tools, use the lowest temperature setting possible and always use a heat protectant.
Leave Your Hair Up In A Bun: One other thing you don’t want to do with your hair extensions is leave your hair up in a bun or ponytail for multiple days. It can be tempting sometimes, but when you leave your hair up for multiple days at a time, it can cause excessive tangling and matting. So take your bun out at the end of the day and brush your hair before bed to avoid having a tangled mess in your hair.
Use Certain Sunscreens: What does sunscreen have to do with your hair extensions? I mention sunscreen because it’s essential to many people’s skincare routines, but certain types of sunscreens can negatively impact your hair extension color. Sunscreens with avobenzone can actually discolor blonde extensions. Another ingredient to watch out for in sunscreen is octocrylene. So check your sunscreens before you use them because you don’t want to end up with discoloration in your extensions. If you’re looking for an extension-safe sunscreen, I recommend Goldie Locks Sheer Mineral Sunscreen.
Avoid sunscreens with avobenzone/octocrylene which can discolor blonde extensions.
Skip using strengthening or keratin-building products altogether. Instead, focus on moisture-rich salon professional products only.

Quick Recap: Dos & Don’ts of Hair Extension Care

Dos:

Wear a loose ponytail/bun or braids before going to bed to prevent tangling.
Sleep on a satin or silk pillowcase to reduce friction and breakage while you sleep.
Brush often, detangle each morning + before bed at night.
Place your hand at the top of your weft/row to avoid extreme pulling or tugging when brushing your hair.
Wash 2X a week for optimal scalp health, double shampooing is highly recommended, & don’t forget to rinse REALLY well.
Only use sulfate free shampoos/conditioners and professional styling products recommended by your stylist.
Oil your mids + ends to keep hair from being dry and brittle.

Don’ts:

Never go to bed with wet hair.
Heat styling too often can cause your extensions to become dry and brittle.
Leaving your hair in a bun or ponytail for multiple days can cause excessive tangling and matting. Always take your hair down at the beginning + end of every day.

How Are Hair Extensions Made?

While clip-ins, wefts, and halos are either hand-tied or machine-made, human hair extensions-Rauchut’s preference-are carefully sorted. Before being cut from one’s head, the hair must be cleaned. It’s then pulled back and put in a tight ponytail before being cleanly cut at the nape. From there, the soon-to-be human hair extensions undergo a sterilization and color bathing process before getting distributed. Most human hair used for extensions comes from India and China. Even hair extensions labeled as hailing from Brazil may boast a small percentage that originated from China.

Which Hair Extensions Are Best?

The “best hair extensions” depend on your goals and what you’re willing to deal with in terms of upkeep. Rauchet prefers keratin bond extensions because of their undetectable feel.

tags: #human #hair #extensions #types #and #care

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