Popular types of hair extensions

Top 5 types of hair extensions

Thinking to extend your hair? The first step is to decide on the technique. There are different types of extensions with their own nuances and characteristics. But they are all conditionally divided into two large groups, depending on whether the temperature effect is applied:

• cold
• hot

And there is plenty of different techniques. The most popular of them are:

1. Italian (micro and nanocapsules)
2. Spanish (with special glue)
3. ultrasonic
4. tape
5. Hollywood (tress, or pigtail extensions)

Italian extension

This is one of the most popular, convenient, and reliable techniques. The hair strand is fixed on yours using miniature keratin capsules. The bonding point is heated with iron to 150-180 degrees, due to which a small (6 mm) inconspicuous capsule is formed.

Keratin capsules are durable – they withstand hair washing, swimming in the sea and the pool, perming, and even coloring. It is not recommended to only lighten the hair. It is because chemicals are poorly washed out of the capsule and it can destroy the hair.

The correction will be required in two to three months. During the correction, the master dissolves the capsules with the help of a special composition, removes the strands, prepares them for new users, and re-fixes them at the roots. Removing the capsules takes about an hour, and it will take another three to four hours to put them back.

A variation of this technique is building up with microcapsules (4 mm) and nanocapsules (2 mm). They are more convenient and even less noticeable.

Spanish build-up

The technique involves the use of a special adhesive to fix strands. The structure of the glue resembles keratin, it is hypoallergenic and affordable. For light hair, transparent glue is used, for dark hair, special dyes are added to it, so it is completely invisible. This is a gentle technique as the hair is not exposed to high temperatures. The capsules are very durable, small, and completely invisible. The technique works well for thin and short hair.

The correction is performed three months after the extension. The glue is removed simply with a hot iron. After that, the strands are prepared for subsequent use and built up again. The whole procedure lasts about an hour.

Ultrasonic extension

It is one of the most modern and gentle techniques. Just like Italian hair extensions, hair strands are attached to your own using small capsules. But this happens not with a help of high temperatures, but of ultrasound. The duration of the procedure is from two to four hours – it depends on the number of strands. Such an extension is completely invisible and harmless to native hair. The capsules are very durable, so you can do any hairstyle, dye your hair, go to the sauna and pool.

Hair extensions need to be corrected as they grow back – usually after two months. During the correction, the master first softens the capsules with a special liquid and then fixes them again. Usually, the correction takes longer than the extension itself.

Tape extension

With this technique, the extended strands are tightly fixed between two adhesive tapes. The technique is performed even on very short hair. It is gentle and fast, and the tapes themselves are soft and pleasant to the touch. The disadvantages of tape extension include frequent correction and the need for special hair care. In addition, due to the location of the tapes, some hairstyles and styling cannot be done.

After the tape extension, the correction will be required in a month and a half. The master will remove the old tapes with the help of a special composition, wash and dry the curls and re-fix them using the new tapes. The whole procedure will take one and a half to two hours.

Hollywood build-up

With Hollywood (tress) hair extensions, native hair is braided into a thin pigtail across the back of the head. And the master clings strands (tresses) to it. It is recommended for girls with medium or long hair. The technology is good because it does not need temperature exposure and treatment with chemical compounds. Pigtails do not cause any inconvenience, and extensions using this technique can be performed even on thin hair.

Correction is performed as the hair grows back, on average after two to three months. During it, the master re-makes the braids so that they fit snugly to the head, and fixes the wefts on them. The correction takes about two hours.

You need to choose a technique based on the length, structure, and condition of your native hair. Each hair extension technique has its unique features. Therefore it is better to seek advice from a specialist. A good master will help you decide which type of hair extension is best for you.