20 Dec Different Hair Extension Techniques and Their Applications
It is said that the right hair can make a woman look five years younger. With this in mind, it isn’t surprising that most women change their hairstyle approximately 150 times in their lifetime. Individual hair extensions are, therefore, one of the most important facelifts.
Besides understanding the different brands and types available in a hair extensions salon, it is also important to understand the methods that go into each application. The technique you choose will be determined by factors such as budget, preferences, and lifestyle.
Techniques for attaching individual hair extensions can be broken down into two main groups:
- Strand by Strand Techniques: They include micro-links, bonding, and knotting.
- Wafted Panels Techniques: Includes tape in, sew in, glue in.
Strand By Strand Method
The strand by strand technique involves putting together two or three dozen strands of hair using a bonding agent. Putting together hair using this technique is often referred to as keratin extension. The keratin glue fuses the strands, either with a heat gun or with a pair of specially made plyers.
When you buy hair extensions, the number of strands you need will depend on the application. For the bonded technique where keratin glue is used, you will need up to 150 strands for volume applications. If you are looking to add length, the number of hairs you will need comes to about 300.
The time it takes to apply individual hair extension is one of the shortcomings of the strand by strand methods. A good stylist should do it in two or three hours, while an inexperienced one may take four to six hours. However, with proper maintenance, the extensions can last. Some of the main techniques and their advantages are:
Micro-Links
The strands are fused with pliers or a hot cylinder tipped with silicon beads to prevent breakage. The main advantage is that individual hair extensions are durable. This is ideal for active individuals who need to change their hair a lot.
The micro-link technique is gentle on the scalp because it is easy to take in and take out. It can be suitable for both volume and length applications. Another advantage is that when some strands get out of place, they can be reattached with ease. Additionally, with micro-links individual strands are used, making the hair look and move more naturally.
Cold Fusion
In cold fusion, strands are attached using a fusing element and a Keratin based extension. Cold fusion is preferred today by some hair extension salons because it does not use glue like its predecessor, the hot fusion. There are variations of this technique that use ultrasound and air pressure to facilitate the bonding.
Cold fusion keratin extensions are suitable for thick, coarse hair. They are also ideal for those looking to maintain their extensions by adding a little length or thickness. Fusion extensions can last up to four months with proper maintenance.
Wefted Extensions Method
Instead of using individual hair strands, with wefted techniques, the strands are applied in panels of rows. The panels of hair can be sewn-in, clipped with glue, or taped.
With the sewn-in technique, the wefts are placed on a base of hair where the individual hair extensions are attached. The base is often braided using a needle and thread. The technique is suitable for thick, coarse hair. You can find a wide variety of colors and styles at different costs to suit your budget.
Bottom-Line
There are different techniques applied for attaching individual hair extensions. The best technique will depend on your budget, condition of hair, and preferred styles, amongst other factors. For the best results, get in touch with the professional stylists at Chaviv Hair so you can pick an extension that works for you.