What types of hair extensions are there?
There are multiple different types of hair extensions that differ mainly in their application method. Some are temporary, and others are semi-permanent.
When determining which type of hair extensions to choose from, consider booking a consultation with a hair extension technician, especially if you have interest in semi-permanent hair extensions. You'll want to speak to a professional and determine if it'll be the right solution for your hair, your hair needs, and your hair goals.
Clip-Ins
Tape-Ins
Sewn-Ins
Micro Links
Wigs
How do the different types of hair extensions work?
Clip-Ins
Clip-in hair extensions have clips sewn to the base of each weft. Those clips are then snapped open and applied to the roots of your hair and then snapped shut. Each weft is layered beneath your own hair to create an instantly longer and fuller look while remaining completely invisible. This type of extension can be applied by yourself at home within a matter of minutes and causes zero damage to your own hair. No professional help is required.
Tape-Ins
Tape-in hair extensions are pre-taped and then taped or glued together on both sides of a section of your hair. This method typically requires professional application as you need someone to align them with the roots of your hair, and then glue them using a heated tool. This is a semi-permanent solution that will need to be replaced every 1-2 months. It can cause damage to your hair as you're applying heat and glue to your own natural hair.
Sewn-Ins
Sewn-in extensions is a lengthy process that starts off by braiding your natural hair into cornrows, then using a needle and thread to sew the weave into the braid or cornrow. This can take several hours to complete, and is typically recommended for those with thicker hair due to the tight application and strain it can cause on the scalp. A professional needs to perform this type of hair extension due to the complexity of it.
Micro Links
Micro link hair extensions are applied via a small silicone-lined bead that attaches tiny wefts of hair to small sections of your natural hair. A special tool is then used to secure the bead in place. A professional is required to apply these extensions due to the complexity and tools involved, and it can take severals hours to complete. While this particular style of hair extensions does not include heat or glue, the pressure and pulling of the micro link extensions can be damaging on the hair.
Wigs
Wigs come in many different lengths, colors, and sizes, and are applied to the hair topically. They are designed to cover your entire head and act as a replacement for your own hair. This is a DIY method of hair extensions which means it can be applied by yourself at home. This type of hair extension is ideal if you are experiencing excessive hair loss where you may not have enough hair for any of the other types of hair extension methods to secure on to.
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What do the different weights mean?
When you see weights listed with hair extensions, this is indicative of how thick the set will be (how much hair is attached to the wefts). Most companies will measure the weight of their extensions in grams. The higher the grams, the thicker the extensions will be.
For example, a full set of extensions that is considered to be lightweight (not much hair attached to the weft) would be somewhere around 120-140 grams. Whereas, a full set of extensions that is considered to be thick and heavy in weight (a lot of hair attached to the weft) would be around 220 grams or more.
To select the right weight for your hair type, you need to first determine what your own hair thickness is (thin, medium, or thick). It's always suggested to opt for a weight that matches your hair thickness, than the hair thickness you want to achieve.
The reasoning behind this is because you may end up with a set that you have difficultly blending in with your hair. If you have thin hair and want as much volume as possible, we would not suggest you opt for the heaviest set available (like 220 grams or more). This may result in the extensions weighing too heavy on your hair and as a result causing discomfort. A light to medium weight (between 120-180 grams) will still allow you to achieve a full and voluminous look without the discomfort.
Similarly, if you have very thick hair and are not concerned about adding more thickness, we would not suggest opting for a lighter weight set (anything less than 220 grams) as the extensions will be too thin for your hair and may appear stringy-looking when applied in.
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