Everything you should know about hair extensions

It’s very common for hair to start to thin out with age. From as early as our late teens, the thick hair we took for granted as a child may struggle to regrow as quickly as it sheds.

Though there’s nothing we can really do to stop our hair from embarking on its own natural ageing process, many of us consider hair extensions as a way to provide a natural thickness to hair. But just how permanent of a solution are hair extensions? And are they worth the significant investment? We’ve shared everything you need to know in this blog post.

Types of hair extensions

There are a number of different types of hair extensions, ranging from cheap clip-ins to costly longer-lasting options. Many of us had a stage during our early teenagehood when we thought clip-in hair extensions were the coolest thing ever, but even though they’ve come along since then, these are definitely lacking in comparison to some of the options on offer today.

Taped

One option for a more permanent hair extension solution is to have your extensions taped to your head, where you will need to keep them in for a minimum of 2 weeks - they should last for between 6 and 8 weeks. After that time, you’ll need to go back to your hair salon and have them re-taped according to how much your hair has grown over that period.

Tape hair extensions are quite effective, and they generally cost less than the alternative (which we’ll discuss below). There are some concerns that tape hair extension can cause damage to your roots, but there’s no evidence of this with the right treatment and gentle brushing.

Weave

Weave hair extensions are sewn or attached to the hair for a more natural, seamless look. There are different ways of weaving extensions into the hair: by sewing extensions strand-by-strand, fusing individual locks in place, or using micro rings – tiny hoops or beads – to attach tresses of hair extensions.

Weave hair extensions last for 3 to 4 months before they will need to be refitted, having grown around 1.5 inches away from the scalp.

Type of hair used

No matter what type of hair extensions you go for, you can opt for synthetic hair or human hair. Synthetic hair tends to be pre-set, which means it won’t need quite as much maintenance as human hair, which you’ll just need to treat as you treat the rest of your hair.

Synthetic hair extensions tend to keep their shape longer than human hair, and they’re cheaper, because they don’t need to be grown by a human – just manufactured. However, they are what they say on the tin – synthetic – so they don’t quite have the natural human look about them. But, to a non-professional eye, they would definitely pass as legitimate.

Human hair is costlier, but many people prefer the idea of having hair that legitimately looks, feels and behaves like their own. Just be wary if you see human hair extensions priced very cheaply, as there are still major issues in countries like China with the questionably forced production of hair.

Most human hair comes from people in China and India who have made religious pilgrimages at temples, where they shave their hair as a right of devotion. You might feel more comfortable with human hair extensions if you speak to your hairdresser about where they source these extensions from in advance.

Are they worth it?

The biggest thing you’ll need to consider before getting hair extensions is the cost. One set of hair extensions can cost between £200 and £800, sometimes even more, depending on the salon you visit. You also need to factor in for the maintenance of having hair extensions – they’re not technically a permanent solution, as you’ll need to get them refitted or re-taped when your hair has grown. They’re by no means a quick fix.

Make sure you find an expert who can provide you with the ideal solution to suit your own hair. This is definitely a case where you don’t want to try and save your money by opting for something that seems almost too cheap to be true. Avoid paying less than $100 for a hair extension treatment or you risk being ripped off – even for that small amount of money.