Did you know that the hair extensions trend has been around for over a century? It’s true! The term “hair extensions” was first used in 1920 when referencing hairpieces that were added to someone’s natural locks. At that time, they were made out of real human hair or artificial fibers like silk and wool. Things have changed quite a bit, thankfully, and there are now tons of different options to choose from when it comes to adding length and volume to your hair. Read on for more information about the different types of hair extensions and which might be best for you.
Synthetic Hair Extensions
Synthetic hair extensions are made from materials like nylon and polyester, which are heat-treated and woven into a loose, thread-like braid. They aren’t made from real hair so they don’t last as long as human hair extensions, but they are much cheaper. Synthetic hair extensions come in a variety of colors, lengths, and textures to match your own hair as closely as possible. They are easy to put in and come in many different types of attachment methods, including clip-ins, wefted attachments, and pre-tipped extensions. Keep in mind that synthetic hair extensions are not as durable as real hair extensions, and they don’t blend as well with real hair. Because they don’t last as long, synthetic extensions are often used for special events or photo shoots where you just want to add a bit of length temporarily.
Bonded Hair Extensions
Bonded hair extensions use a heat-activated adhesive to attach synthetic hair to your own hair. These types of hair extensions are easy to install, but they can also be very damaging if installed improperly or incorrectly attached. You can buy real human hair bonded extensions, but they are much more expensive than synthetic hair bonded extensions. If you have a sensitive scalp, it’s best to avoid bonded hair extensions since the adhesive can cause irritation. These extensions are more likely to fall out and damage your real hair since the synthetic hair is not attached as securely as it should be. Bonded hair extensions are a good option if you want to add a lot of volume to your hair but don’t want to commit to having real hair extensions attached.
Sew-In Hair Extensions
Sew-in hair extensions are made up of loose, hand-tied wefts of real human hair. They are sewn onto your real hair with a needle and thread, so you need to have enough real hair to cover the wefts. Sew-in hair extensions are the most natural-looking type of hair extensions, but they are also the most time-consuming to install. They are most often used by hair stylists for photoshoots or special events because they are time-consuming and difficult for someone without experience to install on their own hair. Sew-in hair extensions are attached by hand, so the process is very time-consuming. It’s best to leave the install to a hairstylist or someone who has experience sewing hair extensions.
Extension Migration and Care Tips
No matter what type of hair extensions you choose, you need to take good care of your real hair as well as your extensions. To help your extensions blend in with your real hair, try using a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner. You should also avoid heat styling tools such as flat irons, curling irons, and hair dryers whenever possible. Frequent shampooing is also important to keep your extensions clean, but you should avoid using shampoos that contain sulfates since they can be too harsh for your real hair and your extensions.
Conclusion
Dreadlocks are a natural hairstyle that can be beautiful and unique, but they don’t always come naturally. Dread extensions are a quick and easy way to add length to your hair and create the perfect faux-dread look. If you are interested in adding dread extensions to your hair, you can do so at a salon or at home. If you want to do it yourself, you can purchase faux dread extensions online and follow the instructions included with them to create your perfect faux dread look.
