Introduction
So you want to get Hair Extensions but you've heard the horror stories but you're petrified that you'll end up bald and ugly and a lot poorer when it's all over? Well, if you don't do your homework then this may well happen. But there is a way to have beautiful hair using Hair Extensions without damaging your own hair, and in fact allowing your natural hair to grow longer and healthier in the process.
Where Do I Start?
There are many different types of Hair Extensions on the market, but for the sake of simplicity we will focus on two main types of application methods: Individual Strands and Wefts
How Hair Extensions Are Applied
The hair extension is placed on the parting of a small tress of hair and the hair criss-crossed over the extension. The real hair and the hair extension are then tightly plaited or braided together and painted with a bonding solutions. A heated clamp melts the solution sealing the extension around the hair. This is known as "heat sealing". Hair extensions must be attached by a professional hairdresser or hair expert. It is very difficult and risky to attempt to add hair extensions on your own. Not only will the attachments be hard to handle, you may wind up with an uneven overall length or possibly damage your hair unnecessarily.
Care Of Your Hair Extension
Hair extensions are washed and treated the same way as you do your natural hair. Therefore, extensions do tend to wear out with normal wash and wear. As your hair grows, this will tend to affect the extensions. It is recommended that you used high quality gentle hair care products to encourage a long life for your extensions.
How long can my extensions be?
You can have any length you want up to about 26"-30". Any natural hair over this length is about 8 - 10 years old at the ends (i.e. it took the person that long to grow it for you) and as such loses quality. Also, anything longer than this puts extra weight on your scalp which may lead to uneven pressure and damage to your own hair. The best looking hair extensions for average height women are usually around 22" or less. Our most popular length is 18" which is to your bra line.
How do I know my Extensions Artist is a professional?
Now this is a hard one. Anyone can lie to you, so be aware. Ask to see photos (before/after). Ask if you can contact one of his/her long term clients. Most hair extensions clients like to remain anonymous but there is always at least one who would love to let the world know what a great job they had done on their hair. Ask how often the average client needs to replace the hair (6 months, 2 years etc). After reading this article, if you know more than the Extensions artist then go find another one.
Advantages Of Hair Extensions
Hair extensions can be a lot of fun if you are aware of the risks and the procedures. If you get good advice and find a professional who is skilled at extensions here are some of the advantages you can enjoy: You have an instant new look that is fairly easy to care for once it is applied. You can change the look at any time and know that the long hair has a limited life cycle. You can have an intricate patterns of different colors or beads added to the extension without additional damage to your hair. You can try the look and feel of long hair before you decide to invest a lot of time and energy growing your own.
Disadvantages Of Hair Extensions
It is a well known fact that hair extensions can do damage to your natural hair. The glue that is attached to your natural hair can burn and split the ends of your hair. This means that you will almost always be required to have the ends of your hair cut after the extensions are removed.
Also, if a lot of long or heavy extensions are added, this applies additional pressure to your scalp. One of the dangers of extra pressure to your scalp can be a thinning of your natural hair. In some cases there have been reports of headaches from the added weight of the hair or allergies to the bonding glue that is used. Everyone is different and will react to hair extensions in a different way. They are not necessarily good or bad. It depends on a number of factors that you have to consider. If you are trying to grow your hair long, you might want to think seriously of the potential damage the hair extensions could do to your long hair quest. However, if you only would like a new look for a few months and are prepared to lose some inches along with the extensions, they can be a great solution.
The best advice is to find an expert at hair extensions and discuss all the pros and cons of the instant hair look.
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