Are you considering getting hair extensions and wondering where to start? There are many different types of hair extensions, and each has its pros and cons. There’s a lot to take into account, from cost to time commitment to even how the weather and climate where you live may impact your hair. For example, most methods and types of hair extensions do not do well with oil-based hair care products.
Effects of Weather on Hair Extensions
And just as the weather can have an extremely noticeable impact on your natural hair, it can also affect your hair extensions. The cold, dry air of winter can quickly sap your extensions of their life and volume, which may make them feel like more of a hassle than a help when you’re trying to achieve a certain stylish look. There are some simple tips that can help maximize the beauty of your new extensions, including timing your showers and hair care routine to make sure that your hair will be completely dry before you head outdoors, and donning a hat or scarf to keep your head covered and protected. Dry air can be just as much of a hazard in warmer climates, especially in desert regions like Arizona. You can still protect your hair by wearing a hat, but you’re more likely to want to show off your new hair when the weather outside is a little less frightful. In the summertime, there are other factors to consider, like potential sun damage or the chlorine you’ll encounter when you spend your days at the pool. The bonds that attach hair extensions to your natural hair are the most vulnerable part of the extensions. It’s important to keep them dry as much as possible, so towel them off as soon as you get out of the pool or shower.
You’ll also have to make sure that you’re extensions don’t get tangled. Consider hairstyles that will protect your extensions from blowing around too much in the wind. Simple buns or braids often work well for this purpose. You can ask your stylist for advice on extension-friendly detanglers and other hair care products, as well as special hairbrushes that will keep your hair extensions looking great without the risk of pulling them out or damaging either the extension bonds or your natural hair.
Types of Hair Extensions
Although all hair extensions have some basic things in common, there is a wide range of types, processes, and materials to think about. Your stylist can help you decide which is right for you, but it certainly helps to go into the salon with some idea of what you’re looking for. Consider your budget, how long you want your extensions to last, and how much time you have to commit to the process of getting hair extensions applied and cared for. Think also about how you want your extensions to look and feel: is the ability to style it just like your natural hair important to you, or are you more interested in a longer ‘do that you can set and forget? All of these questions will help you in figuring out what type of hair you need.
Some hair extensions are made of human hair, which may be donated or sold for this purpose. Other extensions are made of synthetic, or imitation, hair. Synthetic hair is made out of man-made fibers, including silk and polyester. Some synthetic hair is made with very recent advances in materials technology, while others use methods that are thousands of years old. Some forms of hair extensions were used even in Ancient Egypt. There are also some types of hair extensions that blend natural hair and synthetic materials.
Hair extensions made from human hair have the benefit of looking and feeling more natural than synthetic hair. These types of extensions give you more styling options, because you can usually wash, dye, perm, and otherwise manipulate extensions made of natural human hair without having to worry that your extensions won’t tolerate the extra heat. People who wash their hair every day usually do better with extensions made from human hair rather than synthetic material. It’s important to take a look at your lifestyle and your daily hair routine when considering which type of extensions are right for you. If you’re the type who styles your hair in elaborate up-dos that require a lot of maintenance and products, extensions made from real human hair are almost certainly your best bet. That said, even natural human hair extensions come in a range of different levels of quality and cost. One type, called “remy” hair, is very high quality, with every part of the hair weave going in the same direction and of the same length. This type of hair will usually cost over $1,000 for a full head of hair.
Like natural human hair extensions, synthetic hair ranges in quality and cost. There are some types of synthetic hair that look almost exactly the same as natural human hair. Synthetic hair is also very durable, and some types of synthetic hair extensions can even be re-used many times, as long as it is properly cared for. Synthetic hair extensions come under many different brand names, any of which may refer to the material the hair is made of or the process by which the hair extensions are added to your hair. Generally, higher quality and more permanent extensions cost more than simpler methods like clip-on hair, which can even be done at home. Therefore, hair extensions can cost anywhere from $200 to $2,000, depending on the method and type of hair that you choose.
How Hair Extensions are Attached
Hair extensions can be applied one strand at a time, a process which is very time consuming and expensive. Hair extensions applied this way are fused to your natural hair using heat to attach small u-shaped pieces of silicone which melt and bond to your hair. The extensions are applied close to the roots, allowing some room for your natural hair to grow. This method is also called a keratin bond. The keratin bond method takes anywhere from three to eight hours for a stylist to complete. This method is one of the most durable and long-lasting, with extensions lasting for two to six months. People choosing the heat fusion method should be careful, because the heat involved in the process can damage some types of hair.
Another method of application for hair extensions is micro-linking, where a small lock, usually made of copper, is used to attach the extension to your hair. One disadvantage of this method is that the locks can sometimes slip, or be visible if not applied properly, especially if your natural hair is very thin.
Not all hair extensions need to be applied strand by strand. Weaves, or wefts, are pieces of hair that are usually two to four inches wide and can range in length to fit your needs. Weaves are easier to apply compared to strand-by-strand methods, and can be glued, taped, sewn, or braided in to your hair. Weaves are also much faster to apply than single strand methods, taking as little as half an hour – good news if you don’t have the patience to spend all day at the salon! Of course, as you might expect, this type of hair extension does not last as long. You can expect your weave to look its best for only about a month. Still, it’s important to note that taped in weaves have no chance of damaging your natural hair the way that more intensive methods like heat bonds and micro-linking may. You should not wash your hair for a day or two after having weave extensions applied using a tape-in method, as the bonding agent needs time to fully settle.
If you’re looking for a very short-term hair extension solution, perhaps for a weekend wedding or other special occasion, a glue-in weave might be just what you’re looking for. This type of extension is very low cost and can be had for under $100. Of course, it only lasts for a few days, and it is recommended that you avoid showering or washing your hair while wearing these extensions. Although glue-in weaves can be applied at home, it’s a good idea to see a stylist instead of doing it yourself to make sure you won’t damage your natural hair. Weaves that are too heavy can cause severe breakage, and glue applied incorrectly can irritate your scalp.
Clip-in extensions can also be used if you only need to add some extra hair for a few hours. You can put in your own clip-in extensions, or a stylist can apply them to make sure you look your very best.
Braided or sew-in extensions are ideal for people with thick or coarse hair. If you choose this method, the stylist will first braid your hair and then “sew in” the extension to attach it to your hair. Unlike most other methods of adding hair extensions, sew-in extensions require you to wash your hair often in order to keep your hair healthy and looking its best. It’s important to choose a good stylist to put in your sew-in weaves, as braiding too tightly can cause headaches or other discomfort.
Get Hair Extensions in Tempe Arizona
The great news is that you can find any of these types of hair extensions at the Hair2o Salon in Tempe, Arizona. The stylists there can answer all of your questions and make sure that you get the head of hair that’s perfect for you. Hair2o Salon has received great reviews on their hair extension services, as well as all of your other hair care and styling needs.