Most Hollywood stars and well-known Dutch celebrities use “hair extensions,” also known as hair additions. These are strands of artificial hair that you add to your hair for various reasons. You might want to add volume, make your hair longer, create a different color or look, or simply decorate your hair.
Besides synthetic hair extensions, there are also extensions made from 100% real hair. This Hair is cut from a donor and imported. Hair that is 100% real lasts a lifetime. Hair quality can vary considerably. For example, synthetic hair cannot be washed, straightened, curled, dyed, or blow-dried. That is why it is much cheaper and lower quality than natural hair.
Hair extensions come in many types, colors, lengths, and styles. The different styles are curly, wavy, and straight. The hair may have been chemically treated by being curled or dyed. This also reduces its quality somewhat.
Choosing hair extensions
To decide which hair extensions are right for you, first consider a few things:
- What is your budget? If you have an idea of how much you want to spend on hair extensions, it will be easier to decide whether synthetic or natural hair is the better choice.
- What do you want to do with them? If you plan to wash, blow-dry, curl, straighten, or dye your hair, you should choose natural hair. You cannot do any of these things with synthetic hair.
- What texture? You can choose the same texture as your own hair. You can also create the desired texture in the hair extensions and/or your own hair using a flat iron, curling iron, or chemical treatment.
- What color? You can buy hair extensions in your desired color or dye them to match. Keep in mind that dyeing reduces the quality of the hair.
- How long should the hair extensions be? You can buy extensions in the right length or have them cut to style.
- Do you want temporary or permanent hair extensions? Extensions that you remove from your hair the same day are temporary. Extensions that you add to your hair for a longer period are permanent.
- Which method? There are several ways to add hair extensions to your hair. The method depends on which extensions you choose.
Methods for adding hair extensions
Braiding
With this method, the hairstylist braids the hair extensions into your hair, one small section at a time. They make many tiny braids. You can choose to braid in just a few inches or complete the entire braid.
Knotting
The hairstylist ties small sections of your own hair and small sections of hair extensions together using elastic thread.
Weave
With this method, the hairstylist braids your own hair into thin cornrows. They then sew the hair extensions onto the braids using a special needle and thread.
Clip-in
These hair extensions consist of strands of hair with clips attached. The hairstylist first parts your hair and then clips in the extensions.
Flip-in Hair
Flip-in is a wide weft attached to a thin, transparent wire. The hairstylist places it over your own hair like a headband. Make sure the wire sits at the front of your head. The hairstylist then pulls your own hair over it.
Keratin/Wax
This is the best-known way to apply hair extensions. The hairstylist attaches the hair using special glue and heated tongs. You need a special liquid to remove these extensions.
Micro rings
Using a special needle, the hairstylist pulls your own hair and the hair from the extensions through a micro ring. They clamp the ring shut close to the scalp, securing the extensions in place. You can use either individual sections of extensions or hair wefts with this method.
Lace wig
The name says it all. A lace wig is a hairpiece made on a mesh-like material called lace. Before placing it, make sure your own hair lies against your scalp, for example by braiding it. The hairstylist then places the hairpiece over your own hair.
Tape-in
This method involves placing double-sided tape on the hair wefts. Some hair extensions already have this adhesive strip. The hairstylist then takes about 4 centimeters of your own hair and 8 centimeters of the hair extensions. They stick your own hair against the middle of the extensions. Finally, the hairstylist folds the extensions in half and presses them closed.
Ponytail
Before placing the hairpiece, the hairstylist first ties your own hair into a ponytail. They can then place the hairpiece over the ponytail. Using the loose elastic or hair attached to the ponytail extension, the hairstylist can secure the hairpiece to the ponytail.
Hair loss from hair extensions
Everyone wants to avoid damaging their hair. With clip-in and flip-in extensions, you do not lose hair because the hairstylist does not attach them permanently. You can remove these hair extensions whenever you want. With all the other methods, you also lose very little hair as long as you have the extensions removed in time. The longer the hair extensions stay in, the more your hair grows out and the heavier they become, which can lead to increased hair loss. Losing 5% of your hair is normal. Most hair loss occurs when removing and brushing the extensions. That is why it is important to have your extensions removed by the same person who applied them. Also use a hair extension brush instead of a regular hairbrush to minimize hair loss. The average time it takes to apply and remove hair extensions varies by method and person. Clip-in and flip-in extensions take only a few minutes, while other methods can take one to five hours because of the work involved. The way the hairstylist applies the extensions plays a major role. There is a reason removing extensions also comes with a price tag: it takes work too.
PLEASE NOTE!
To protect the condition of your own hair, we advise against using extensions if your hair is weak and breaks easily. It is also unwise to use extensions after chemotherapy, as hair remains weak for a long time after treatment. Good care is also important when you get hair extensions. For example, avoid washing your hair too often and let it dry thoroughly after washing. Going to bed with wet hair is not done! The same goes for tying your hair up immediately after washing. Take care when using extensions for the first time, as your hair may feel heavier and become sensitive. This may take some getting used to and usually lasts only for the first few days.
TIP!
Want to know whether you bought real or synthetic hair? Hold a small amount of hair in a flame. Synthetic hair produces black smoke and leaves you with a sticky ball. Natural hair produces white smoke and turns to ash.
Use the Hairloxx Boost Total Care Kit for complete care of your hair extensions. This kit is specially developed for hair extensions and includes shampoo, conditioner, a mask, serum, and an extension brush.
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