Most Hollywood stars and famous Dutch celebrities use “hair extensions.”These are strands of synthetic hair that you add to your hair for various reasons. Reasons may include, for example, adding volume to the hair, lengthening it, creating a different color or look, or simply decorating it.
In addition to synthetic hair extensions, there are hair extensions made from 100% real hair. This hair is cut from a donor and imported. Hair that is 100% real lasts a lifetime. The quality of the hair can vary greatly. For example, you cannot wash, straighten, curl, dye, or blow-dry synthetic hair. That is why this hair is much cheaper and of lower quality than natural hair.
Hair extensionscome in many types, colors, lengths, and styles. The different hair styles include curly, wavy, and straight. The hair may have been chemically treated because it has been permed or dyed. As a result, the quality of the hair is somewhat lower.
Choosing Hair Extensions
To decide which hair extensions are right for you, you should first consider a few things:
- What's your budget? If you have an idea of how much you want to spend on hair extensions, it'll be easier to decide whether synthetic hair or natural hair is the better choice for you.
- What are your goals? If you plan to wash, blow-dry, curl, straighten, or dye your hair, you should choose natural hair.You can’t do any of those things with synthetic hair.
- What texture? You can choose to match the texture to your natural hair. You can also create the desired texture in the hair extensions and/or your natural hair using a flat iron, curling iron, or chemical treatment.
- What color? You can buy hair extensions in the color you want or dye them that color. Keep in mind, though, that dyeing the hair will reduce its quality.
- How long should the hair extensions be? You can buy the extensions in the right length or have them cut to the desired style.
- Do you want temporary or permanent hair extensions? Extensions that you remove from your hair on the same day are temporary hair extensions. Extensions that you add to your hair for a longer period of time are permanent hair extensions.
- Which method? There are several methods for adding hair extensions to your hair. It depends on which extensions you choose.
Methods for Applying Hair Extensions
Braiding
With this method, the stylist weaves the hair extensions into your hair strand by strand. She then creates many small braids. You can choose to have the extensions woven in just a few centimeters or to have the braid completed in its entirety.
Buttons
In this process, the hairstylist ties small strands of the client’s own hair and small strands of hair extensions together using elastic thread.
Weave
With this method, the stylist weaves the client's own hair into a thin braid. She then attaches the hair extensions to the braid using a special needle and thread.
Clip-in
These hair extensions consist of strands of hair with clips attached. The hairstylist first parts the hair and then attaches the hair extensions using the clips.
Flip-in Hair
Flip-inis a wide mat attached to a thin, transparent thread. The hairstylist places it over your own hair like a headband. You do need to make sure the thread is positioned at the front of your head. The hairstylist then pulls your own hair over it.
Keratin/Wax
This is the most common method of applying hair extensions. Using a special adhesive, the stylist bonds the hair in place with a heat-activated tool. You’ll need to remove these extensions with a special solution.
Microrings
Using a special needle, the stylist threads the client’s own hair and the hair extensions through the micro-ring. The stylist then squeezes the ring tightly against the scalp, securing the hair extensions in place. For this method, you can use small strands of hair extensions or hair wefts.
Lace wig
You can tell just by the name. A lace wig is a hairpiece made on a mesh-like fabric called lace. Before putting on this hairpiece, you need to make sure your own hair is pulled back against your scalp—for example, by braiding it. The stylist then places this hairpiece over your natural hair.
Adhesive Strip
To use this method, apply double-sided tape to the hair wefts. Some hair extensions already come with this adhesive strip. Next, the stylist takes about 4 centimeters of the client’s own hair and 8 centimeters of the hair extensions. The stylist then attaches the client’s own hair to the middle of the hair extensions. Finally, the stylist folds the extensions in half and presses them together.
Ponytail
Before attaching the hairpiece, the stylist first ties the client’s own hair into a ponytail. Now the stylist can place the hairpiece on the ponytail. Using the loose elastic band or the hair attached to theextension ponytail, the stylist can secure the hairpiece to the ponytail.
Hair Loss Caused by Hair Extensions
Hair damage is what everyone tries to avoid. With clip-in and flip-in extensions, you don’t lose any hair because the stylist doesn’t attach the extensions permanently to your hair. You can remove the hair extensions whenever you want. With all other methods, you’ll also lose very little hair, as long as you remove them in time. The longer the hair extensions stay in, the more your natural hair grows out, the heavier the load on your hair becomes, and the more hair loss you’ll experience. Losing 5% of your hair is normal. Most hair loss occurs when removing and brushing the hair extensions. That’s why it’s important to have the hair extensions removed by the same person who applied them. Also, use ahair extension brushinstead of a regular hairbrush; this will help minimize hair loss. The average time required to apply and remove hair extensions can vary depending on the method and the individual. With clip-in and flip-in extensions, the process takes only a few minutes, while other methods can take anywhere from one to five hours due to the work involved for the stylist. The way the stylist applies the extensions plays a major role in this. It’s no surprise that removing the extensions also comes at a cost—it requires some work as well.
ATTENTION!
To maintain the health of your natural hair, we do not recommend using extensions if your hair is weak and breaks easily. It’s also not advisable to use extensions after chemotherapy, as your hair remains weak for a long time after treatment. Proper care is also important when you get hair extensions. For example, avoid washing your hair too often and make sure to let it dry thoroughly after washing. Going to bed with wet hair is a big no-no! The same goes for tying your hair up immediately after washing. Be careful when using extensions for the first time, as your hair may feel heavier and become more sensitive. This is often just a matter of getting used to it and usually lasts only for the first few days.
TIP!
Want to know if you've bought real hair or synthetic hair? Hold a small strand of hair over a flame. Synthetic hair produces black smoke and leaves a sticky ball. With natural hair, you'll see white smoke, and the hair turns to ash.
Use theHairloxx Boost Total Care Kitfor complete care of your hair extensions. This kit was specially developed for hair extensions and includes shampoo, conditioner, a hair mask, serum, and an extension brush.
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