What hair extension method should I use? How many are there?
There are several difference methods for attaching hair extensions and each method is designed for specific types of hair and hair situations.
Skin Weft
Various types of two-sided tape are used to attach hair extension wefts or strands.
Microlink / MicroLocs
Human extension hair is attached with tiny links, sleeves, locs or shells that can match your hair color or be clear. Some of these micro products are made out of specially formulated polymer materials. Others are made from flexible nickel tubing that is squeezed shut to hold the hair in place. They are non-magnetic and do not rust. If you have a nickel allergy you will not be able to wear them. Some of these micro methods are used on extremely over processed hair, very fine, silky straight hair and any hair that has trouble holding the adhesive or keratin products used by the other extension methods. The micro shells and links can be re-used sometimes up to three times.
Interlock (crochet and hook)
A crochet needle is used to sew the individual strands of human hair into the tracks created on the head with cornrows.
Filament String
Strands of hair extensions are attached to a filament string. The string is then attached to your natural hair
Bonding
Bonding is the easiest and most temporary way of applying hair extensions. It involves applying a glue specially made for bonding hair extensions to a hair weft. The weft should be applied to the root of the small hair part you decide to place the hair extensions. Avoid placing any glue on your scalp. Bonded hair extensions should only be used for temporary occasions like a wedding or prom. Prolonging it can increase the possible damage that may occur during the removal process. You can buy special products in the form of shampoos, oils or conditioners designed for removing bonding glue from your hair. When removing the glue, avoid pulling on your natural hair because this can result in hair loss.
A Bonding glue or adhesive material is brushed onto the weft of the extension hair and then it is applied to the root of the individual’s hair. The extensions can be easily removed by a bonding remover. There have been women that have had an allergic reaction to the bonding material. Many companies offer bonding kits with do-it yourself instructions. This method is a more temporary solution that will last a few weeks.
Sew-In
When you want your hair to take a vacation from the daily stress of styling and processing, sewing in hair exentions can be an excellent idea. With this method, your natural hair is braided into cornrows then a specially designed needle and thread is used to sew the hair extension wefts through the braids. The needle used for a sew-in can be curved or straight. A curved needle is used to prevent accidentally poking the scalp during the sew-in process. The thread used for a sew-in is thicker and stronger than regular thread. It comes in different neutral colors such as white, brown and black. The color thread used should complement the color of the hair extensions. A sew-in can last up three months with proper care and maintainance. Do not neglect your natural hair underneath the hair extensions. Continue to shampoo, condition and moisturize your natural hair.
Wefts of extension hair are sewn into tracks created on the head with cornrows. Wefts are re-usable and this system can last 3-4 months. Tracks can also be made with hand-tied knots. The extension hair is sewn into the knotted track with a needle and weaving cord.
Fusion
More expensive than the other two hair extension methods, fusion is the most natural method. Hair extensions used for fusion are specially designed with unique tips that must be bonded by a wax to the roots of the hair, strand by strand. This produces the illusion that the hair is coming from the scalp. The wax can be hot or cold depending on preference–hot fusion or cold fusion. Hot fusion can cause an unnatural appearance, for the strands can look and feel too stiff. However, the process lasts up to four months. Cold fusion uses a keratin-based polymer to attach the hair extensions. This process is safer than hot fusion, therefore, it is the wiser choice for those with thin or fine hair. The keratin-polymer is flexible, making the hair extensions more natural looking. Furthermore, cold fusion lasts up to six months.
Clip On
Extension hair is clipped directly to hair with tiny hair clips. This is an easy do-it-yourself solution for hair extensions. The hair is purchased with the tiny clips already attached on the ends. Clip-in extensions may be a great place to start if you are serious about getting hair extensions.
What is a micro link? Should I get this type of extension?
A micro ring (also called a loop, bead, or easy ring extension) is lightless and almost invisible cylinder-type ring that is applied to your hair extension, then clamped tightly, ring holding it securely to your natural hair. This extension method is used without use of any heat, glue, keratin bonding, braiding, or sewing.
Micro rings are made of aluminum, copper, or some type of plastic. You can buy the micro rings separately or purchase already attached to the hair. The second option makes it a lot easier to add the extension. If you buy the rings separately, you’ll need to purchase a threader to pull the natural hair through the ring.
Micro rings come in a range of sizes, and you can even add two rings instead of one. In general, the larger the ring, the better the extension will hold. However, the bigger the ring, the more visible the attachment is which isn’t really desirable. Usually trial and error of a few different ring types is the best way to find the perfect size.
Advantages vs. Disadvantages of mirco rings
Advangtages
- Easy to add
- No heat of glue which can damage your hair
- Easy to remove and adjust the extensions
- Provide a natural look and a virtually undetectable
Disadvantages
- Rings are detectable if you have very short hair (a few inches)
- Not a one-time only weave method. If you need extensions for one night only, clip-ons are recommended.
- Not recommended if you have easily breakable hair.
Removing/extracting micro rings
We recommend having your micro rings extracted professionally. Do not under any circumstance attempt to extract these extensions yourself, as you will pull out your own hair.
What is Remy hair mean? What about Yaki hair?
Remy hair has to be one of the most confusing words used in today’s market. First off, Remy hair does not mean the hair is virgin hair. Remy hair can be virgin, processed (colored) or unprocessed.
Most Remy hair used for weaves and wigs are derived from Asia (ie., China, Korea and India). Hair is collected from the barber’s floor or Indian temples then can be aggressively treated with acid, and other chemicals which destroy the cuticle partially or totally, which is what the hair industry refers as processed hair. Sometimes hair is even mixed with animal and synthetic hair (i.e., Yaki).
Harvesting Virgin or Remy Hair: To assure hair strands are organized facing the same direction from root to tip, hair must be cut close to the scalp in a ponytail. Hair is then collected and cleaned to remove any lice, hair products and/or dirt. Workers ensure strands are facing the same direction
Difference between Virgin/Remy Hair and Yaki Hair: Virgin and Remy hair refers to a specific harvesting process and Yaki hair refers to the texture resembling relaxed Afro-American/Caribbean hair. Remy hair is cut from a single donor, while in contrast, Yaki hair, may be Remy, non-Remy, or synthetic.
Coloring virgin hair extensions
- It’s important to color your natural hair the desired color before your extensions are applied. Your stylist will then color match your extensions to your new color to make your purchased hair look like the real thing.
- Highlights can even be added by adding different colored extensions in the same randomness as highlights applied to hair pulled through a cap.
- If your roots need a touch-up before you need to change your extensions, play it safe and leave the coloring to your stylist.
- BLEACHING YOUR HAIR IS NOT RECOMMENDED. It is risky and uses harsh chemicals that can damage your hair.
Swimming and exercising with virgin hair extensions
- Before swimming, be sure to comb out any tangles that may be present, starting from the bottom of your hair and working your way up. Once the hair has been detangled, braid the hair in two braids to ensure that all of the hair is protected.
- After swimming or being in water, wash the hair immediately.
- When dirt and sweat accumulates in your hair, your hair could get matted or tangle, and then become unmanageable.
- After swimming or being in water, you want to remove any damaging chemicals that may have gotten into your hair.
Tips for properly caring for your virgin hair extensions
Caring for your virgin straight hair extensions:
- Detangle and brush before washing your hair
- Shampoo hair at least once a week
- Use a quality name brand shampoo and conditioner with low PH balance
- Wash and condition hair in a downward motion. Do not massage or rub the hair against itself. Use your fingers between the wefts in a horizontal motion to clean your scalp.
- Squeeze out excess water and air dry hair. Remember heat can be damaging and will shorten the life span of your extensions
- Use a leave in conditioner
- Gently comb hair with a wide tooth comb. Begin combing small sections at the ends, working up towards the scalp.
- It is recommended to let the hair air dry naturally but you may use a blow dryer set on cool or low heat temperature.
- If you must use heat, be sure you use a small amount leave in conditioner first. Not too much, as it can weigh down and/or tangle hair
- Prior to going to bed, we recommend you wrap, braid, plait, pin curl or roller set your hair
- NEVER sleep on wet hair. Make sure your hair is completely dry before going to bed
- Sleep on a satin/silk pillow case or with a satin/silk cap or scarf.
Caring for your virgin wavy/curly hair extensions:
- Detangle and brush before washing your hair
- Shampoo at least once a week
- Use a moisturizing shampoo with low PH balance
- Do not massage or rub the hair against itself. Wash in a downward motion. Use your fingers between the wefts in a horizontal motion to clean your scalp.
- Rinse thoroughly
- Use a moisturizing conditioner, leave in hair for 3 minutes, then rinse
- Squeeze out excess water
- Spray hair with a leave in conditioner
- Scrunch up hair gently to reform curl
- Finger style or use a wide tooth comb only, when hair is damp
- Apply you preferred products, style while the hair is damp, allow it to air dry and then leave it alone.
- It is recommended to let the hair air dry naturally
- DO NOT comb dry curls or waves, you will disrupt the curl pattern
- Do not use oily or greasy products
- Before going to bed, we recommend you braid, plait, pin curl or roller set your hair
- NEVER sleep on wet hair. Make sure your hair is completely dry before going to bed
- Sleep on a satin/silk pillow case or with a satin/silk cap or scarf.
Beauty shop owner shot and killed over hair extension theft
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42092695/ns/local_news-detroit_mi/
80 Velvet brand human hair extensions
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Spring 2011 trend: Hair feather extensions
From heads of ER nurses to middle-aged mothers and their children, the dyed rooster feather hair extensions are a rock-star way to add some color and funk to the ol’ noggin without the commitment of a crazy cut or color job
What is the difference between “single drawn” and “double drawn” hair?
Single Drawn hair:
This type of hair is taken out directly from the scalp by shaving the head. This type will have differing lengths of hair. So if you had 16″ length hair extension, some strands will be as short as 14″. Usually a maximum variance is 2″ between hair lengths..
Double Drawn hair:
This type of hair is more expensive than single drawn hair. Double drawn means the hairs are arranged with equal lengths. Hair is drawn by hand, not by machine hence small error is evitable
What is virgin cuticle hair?
The highest quality available, virgin hair is completely natural and unprocessed cuticle hair, free from any chemicals such as relaxer, perm, silicone, or color dyes. All the hair remains in the same direction from root to tip and comes from a single donor.
The cuticle is the exterior shell (composed of transparent, overlapping, protective scale-like cells) of the hair. The cuticle protects the inner structure of the hair. With this cuticle hair the hair is preserved (no damage to the cuticles or the true structure of the hair) cuticles are kept intact and each hair strand is kept in one direction. In lower grades of hair the cuticle is stripped away with acid and then the hair is coated with a fake cuticle: silicone
The majority of human hair sold over the counter is non-cuticle hair (lower grades). Typically, donor hair is mixed with other hair types destined for hair extension production. The major problem with this type of process is there’s no care taken to ensure that the cuticles of hair from a specific donor remain aligned in the same direction. To combat this problem, most donor hair is stripped of cuticle by getting an acid bath. Silicone is then applied where the cuticles previously were. This gives the hair a shiny look. However, after extensions are washed, the silicone wears off and the hair tangles and mats easily, since the cuticles are not all facing the same direction. With virgin hair the cuticle is always going in one direction as on a natural head of hair, so the hairs remain undisturbed, making then less likely to tangle, more durable, and easier to comb.
Welcome to the Virgin Hair Shop!
We are a team dedicated to providing our customers with only the best 100% pure virgin indian and brazilian hair available on the market at an affordable prices. With over 30 years experience with every type of hair on the market (yaki, human, remy, temple, non-remy etc), it has become a personal passion to not only offer “real” information and resources regarding human hair, but also provide superior hair products at affordable prices. I invite you to tour and shop our website to learn about human hair, products, techniques, trends and other valuable information.
The Virgin Hair Shop 