Different Types of Extensions
There are many different types of hair extensions near me to choose from. All of which will help you add length and volume to your natural hair. There are two main categories to choose from: Permanent and Temporary. Within these two categories are different methods or types to choose. They often have names that are defined by the method of attachment. In this article we will break them down in order to give you clarity in making the best decision for your hair and lifestyle.
1. Permanent Type (Professionally Installed)
Permanent extensions are ones that are professionally installed by one of our experienced hair extension specialists in Las Vegas. These types of hair extensions are bonded to your hair in a number of different ways. They are designed in such a way that when installed the bonds are hidden. These stay bonded in your hair for between four to eight weeks before they are professionally removed and reinstalled.
1. Tape-In Hair Extensions
What are they?
Tape-In hair extensions bond to your natural with with a medical grade adhesive. Often they are made in flat 1.5 inch wide weft pieces of human hair strands. To install Tape Ins a hair stylist will often section your hair into a row. They will then take a thin 1.5 inch section of that row and place one piece on top and one piece on bottom pressing the adhesive of the two pieces together with your natural hair between them. They will repeat until the sectioned row of hair has the needed number of bonds installed. For a full head install most clients need about 4-5 rows with 20-25 total bonds. These bonds are sometimes referred to as sandwiches because of the way they attach to your hair. The install time takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour. After each 6-8 weeks if the hair is in good condition it can be removed and reused.
Why choose them?
Tape-In extensions in recent years have become the #1 choice world wide for adding permanent hair by clients and stylists alike. Clients and stylists love Tape Ins for a number of reasons. Primarily in comparison to traditional strand by strand hair extensions they are very fast to install and extremely comfortable to wear. Giving you great coverage and versatility, even if you have thin hair. Can even be installed in such a way as to be worn in high ponytails. Visits to the salon are also less often than other methods.
How to care for them?
Your hairdresser can recommend products and maintenance routines. However here are a few care tips to keep in mind. With Tape-In hair extensions it is best to avoid using products near the bonds such as conditioners or oils. This is to prevent the adhesive bonds from breaking down causing the tapes to loosen or slip. Keeping your hair brushed is important to avoid tangling. Before sleeping braiding your hair will also prevent tangling. When brushing or styling it is best to firmly hold your hair right below the bonds. This will avoid putting pressure to the roots of your hair where they are bonded. You can style just like you do your own hair as they are made with human hair. You will want to be careful with heat tools. Using lower heat setting are better for the health of your hair and the extensions.
How long do they last?
As your natural hair grows in you will need to see your hair stylist to have them moved up. Tape-Ins need to be removed every 6-8 weeks and reinstalled. Depending on the hair quality you choose they can be used anywhere from a few months to over a year. Hair reusability is also dependant on at home care maintenance routines.
2. Bead Weft Hair Extensions
What are they?
Beaded weft hair extensions bond to your natural hair with small beads that are lined on the inside with a soft silicone. Often they come in sewn bundles that stretch several feet wide. To install beaded weft a hair stylist will often section your hair into a row. The weft is then cut to size to the width of the row. The weft piece is then placed against your head. About every inch your hair natural hair and the extension hair is threaded together inside the bead. A pair of pliers is used to crimp the bead flat. They will repeat until the sectioned row of hair has the needed number of beads installed. For a full head install most clients need about 4-5 rows. The install time takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour. After each 3-5 weeks if the hair is in good condition it can be removed and reused.
Why choose them?
Beaded weft extensions are the original weft technique and are a good choice for those who have medium density to thicker hair. While similar to Tapes In many ways there is no adhesive used. In comparison to other traditional strand by strand hair extensions they are very fast to install and comfortable to wear. Giving you great coverage and versatility. Can even be installed in such a way as to be worn in high ponytails. Keep in mind visits to the salon are more often than other more popular methods like Tape Ins.
How to care for them?
Your hairdresser can recommend products and maintenance routines. However here are a few tips to keep in mind. Keeping your hair brushed is important to avoid tangling. Before sleeping braiding your hair will also prevent tangling. You can style just like you do your own hair as they are made with human hair. You will want to be careful with heat tools. Using lower heat setting are better for the health of your hair and the extensions.
How long do they last?
As your natural hair grows in you will need to see your hair stylist to have them moved up. Beaded wefts need to be removed every 3-5 weeks and reinstalled. Depending on the hair quality you choose they can be used anywhere from a few months to nine months. Hair reusability is also dependant on at home care maintenance routines.
3. I-Tip Hair Extensions
What are they?
I-Tip hair extensions bond to your natural hair with small plastic tubes that shrink with the application of heat. It is also common to install I-Tips with either silicone lined beads or copper tubes. However, we have found those bonding methods to be harsh on the natural hair or easy to slip out. Often I-Tips come in bundles of individual hair extensions that each look like a shoelace tip. To install them a hair stylist will often section your hair into a row. An I-Tip is then threaded into the plastic shrink tube along with your hair. A heat tool is then used to shrink the plastic tube similar to shrink wrapping. About every half inch this step is repeated until that row has the need number of I-Tips installed. For a full head install most clients need about 4-5 rows. The install time takes approximately two to four hours. After each 6-8 weeks if the hair is in good condition it can be removed and reused.
Why choose them?
I-Tips are the original strand by strand method and is great for medium density to thicker hair. I-Tip method is for clients that like the look that individual extensions offer. We have updated the method of bonding to use a shrink tube as it is safer on the hair and does not slip. The hair can be reused unlike other strand by strand methods like fusion where the hair is a one time use. Can be installed in such a way as to be worn in high ponytails. Just keep in mind the bonds are more and smaller than tape/weft methods. This means they can spin and tug at the root hair.
How to care for them?
Your hairdresser can recommend products and maintenance routines. However here are a few tips to keep in mind. Take extra care with this type. Keeping your hair brushed is very important to avoid tangling and spinning of individual bonds. Before sleeping braiding your hair will also prevent tangling. You can style just like you do your own hair as they are made with human hair. You will want to be careful with heat tools. Using lower heat setting are better for the health of your hair and the extensions. Make sure to do move ups regularly to avoid spinning damage to your hair.
How long do they last?
As your natural hair grows in you will need to see your hair stylist to have them moved up. I-Tips need to be removed every 6-8 weeks and reinstalled. Depending on the hair quality you choose they can be used anywhere from a few months to nine months. Hair reusability is also dependant on at home care maintenance routines.
4. Fusion Hair Extensions
What are they?
Fusion hair extensions bond to your natural hair with keratin glue with the application of heat. Often fusions come in bundles of individual hair extensions that have flat or hard u-shaped glue tips. To install them a hair stylist will often section your hair into a row. A fusion tip is then bonded to a small amount of your hair the size of a shoelace tip. These tips can also be cut in half to create even small bonds. Allowing you to create an incredibly natural look. A heat tool is then used to melt the extension bond allowing it to attach to your natural hair. About every half inch this step is repeated until that row has the needed number of fusions installed. For a full head install most clients need about 4-5 rows. The install time takes approximately two to four hours. For half size bonds even longer. These were favored at one point because they do not slip, however this challenge was overcome with the advent of shrink tubes for I-Tips. After each 6-8 weeks the hair is removed and discarded.
Why choose them?
Fusions are the original strand by strand glue in method and is great for all hair densities. This method is for clients that like the look that individual extensions offer with half sized individual bonds. Can be installed in such a way as to be worn in high ponytails. Just keep in mind the bonds are more and smaller than tape/weft methods. This means they can spin and tug at the root hair. We recommend I-Tips over this methods as the hair is reusable and does not slip with the shrink link method of install.
How to care for them?
Your hairdresser can recommend products and maintenance routines. However here are a few tips to keep in mind. Take extra care with this type. Keeping your hair brushed is very important to avoid tangling and spinning of individual bonds. Before sleeping braiding your hair will also prevent tangling. You can style just like you do your own hair as they are made with human hair. You will want to be careful with heat tools. Using lower heat setting are better for the health of your hair and the extensions. Make sure to do move ups regularly to avoid spinning damage to your hair.
How long do they last?
As your natural hair grows in you will need to see your hair stylist to have them moved up. Fusions need to be removed every 6-8 weeks and new hair reinstalled.
2. Temporary Type (Do It Yourself)
Temporary extensions are ones that can be installed by yourself. These types of hair extensions can attach to your hair in a number of different ways. They are designed in such a way that when installed the attachments are hidden. These should be removed each night.
1. Clip-In Hair Extensions
What are they?
Clip-In hair extensions are many cut to size pieces of weft hair that have clips sewn to them along the top. Clip Ins often come in sets of anywhere from 7-11 pieces. To install them you will section your hair into a row. Often starting on the lower back of your hair. Tease the spots in the sectioned off row in which the clips will open up and attach to. Snap the clips down. Repeat steps, sectioning rows and moving up the back of your head. Finally do the same on each side of your head for the remaining pieces. They can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes depending on number of pieces to install.
Why choose them?
Clip-In extensions are the #1 method worldwide for quickly installing hair extensions yourself. Primarily in comparison to professional extensions, you can do Clip Ins yourself without the expense of professional extensions. They give you great coverage and versatility. However, they do need to be removed each night and reinstalled each day you want to wear them.
How to care for them?
They should be washed about every 15-20 wears, or if there is a lot of product buildup to the point that they become unmanageable. Just like your natural hair, you simply brush, shampoo and condition the hair and let them air dry! In terms of styling, human hair clip in extensions can be styled just like your own natural hair. They can be curled, straightened, and colored, however, it is always best to use a lower heat setting when heat styling the hair, and to use a heat protectant prior to heat styling.
How long do they last?
This will depend on how well you take care of them, what products you use and how often you wear them. With proper care and regular wear, clip-ins last anywhere from 3-6 months, up to a year and sometimes even longer.
2. Halo Hair Extensions
What are they?
Halo hair extensions are a newer method of hair extensions that do not actually attach to your own hair. Instead Halos makes use of your heads natural shape and sits comfortably on your head like a crown. However your own natural hair will sit on top of the halo firmly holding it in place. This is in contrast to most all other extension methods that attach to your actual hair in some way. Halo Extensions are installed in most cases 30 seconds or less. This is extremely fast in comparison to most other methods that require 30 minutes to many hours.
Why choose them?
Halo extensions have gained tremendous popularity worldwide over the last few years. Primarily for the speed of install compared to Clips Ins, comfort and damage as they do not attach to your actual hair. You can do Halos yourself without the expense of professional extensions. Gives you good coverage. However, they do need to be removed each night and reinstalled each day you want to wear them.
How to care for them?
They should be washed about every 15-20 wears, or if there is a lot of product buildup to the point that they become unmanageable. Just like your natural hair, you simply brush, shampoo and condition the hair and let them air dry! In terms of styling, human hair clip in extensions can be styled just like your own natural hair. They can be curled, straightened, and colored, however, it is always best to use a lower heat setting when heat styling the hair, and to use a heat protectant prior to heat styling.
How long do they last?
This will depend on how well you take care of them, what products you use and how often you wear them. With proper care and regular wear, halos last anywhere from 3-6 months, up to a year and sometimes even longer.
3. Ponytail Hair Extensions
What are they?
Ponytail extensions are a type of hair extensions that can be wrapped or clipped around your natural ponytail. It is a quick way to add length or volume to your natural ponytail and can be applied in just a few minutes. This is extremely fast compared to some other methods and a great do it yourself option.
Why choose them?
Ponytail extensions are very popular worldwide. Primarily for the speed of install compared to Clips Ins, comfort and damage free as they do not attach to your actual hair. You can do it yourself without the expense of professional extensions. Gives you quite a bit more hair to style. However, they do need to be removed each night and reinstalled each day you want to wear them.
How to care for them?
They should be washed about every 15-20 wears, or if there is a lot of product buildup to the point that they become unmanageable. Just like your natural hair, you simply brush, shampoo and condition the hair and let them air dry! In terms of styling, human hair ponytail extensions can be styled just like your own natural hair. They can be curled, straightened, and colored, however, it is always best to use a lower heat setting when heat styling the hair, and to use a heat protectant prior to heat styling.
How long do they last?
This will depend on how well you take care of them, what products you use and how often you wear them. With proper care and regular wear, ponytails last anywhere from 3-6 months, up to a year and sometimes even longer.
4. Head Topper Hair Extensions
What are they?
Head topper hair extensions are a type of hair extensions that can be clipped to the top of your head. It is a quick way to hide thinning hair and can even be worn as a Clip In bangs. In can be applied in less than a minute and is often worn in conjunction with permanent or temporary extensions.
Why choose them?
Head topper extensions are very popular worldwide. Primarily used to hide thinning hair. You can do it yourself. Gives you quite a bit of coverage. However, they do need to be removed each night and reinstalled each day you want to wear them.
How to care for them?
They should be washed about every 15-20 wears, or if there is a lot of product buildup to the point that they become unmanageable. Just like your natural hair, you simply brush, shampoo and condition the hair and let them air dry! In terms of styling, human hair ponytail extensions can be styled just like your own natural hair. They can be curled, straightened, and colored, however, it is always best to use a lower heat setting when heat styling the hair, and to use a heat protectant prior to heat styling.
How long do they last?
This will depend on how well you take care of them, what products you use and how often you wear them. With proper care and regular wear, ponytails last anywhere from 3-6 months, up to a year and sometimes even longer.
Need Help Choosing the Right Type of Hair Extensions For You?
We can help you choose the right type of extensions for you. If you are living in Las Vegas or plan to visit and get hair extensions in Las Vegas, you can schedule a free consultation. You can also call or text and we can help you pick out the right type for you.