Choosing the Best Hair Extensions

Author: Helen Turley

If you're a newcomer to the world of hair extensions, it can seem like an alien place filled with jargon and bewilderment. Here is a brief guide to some of the different types and methods of hair extensions that you are likely to come across.

Human hair extensions are the most sought after, not just because they look more natural but because they are actually safer to use. Human hair has become more widely available in recent times and is now sold at competitive prices; Asia is one of the largest suppliers of human hair in the world today. Extensions made with human hair usually last around three months, however, with good care they can last longer. People choose real hair because it provides the best texture and condition and they look much more realistic in comparison to synthetic hair. In fact, human hair extensions blend in with your natural hair and the untrained eye will not know the difference.
It is important to note that when people choose their human hair they usually opt for anything up to 22 inches. Anything longer than this may put extra pressure on the scalp; this can even lead to damaging your own natural hair so is not recommended.
Extensions can be sewn in – where hair is literally sewn onto your own hair – or bonded. Bonding and sealing extensions require the use of special hair adhesives so as not to damage the wearer's natural hair. It is an approach to extending hair that lasts for a shorter period of time in comparison to the sew-in weave. It involves the application of hair glue to a section of ‘wefted' hair then onto a person's natural hair. This technique is commonly used and does not cause damage to the hair unless taken out without proper directions from a professional. It is advised that weave bonding be installed for no more than three weeks because the glue begins to loosen at that point.
Similar to bonding is ‘fusion', in which a kind of glue gun is used to attach extensions to individual strands of one's natural hair of about 1/8 to 1/4 inch squared sections for a truly authentic look. Another option for fusion attachments is using hair which is pre-tipped with a keratin adhesive. A heat clamp is then used to melt the adhesive to attach the extension hair to the natural hair. Fusion weave allows washing hair frequently and the use of regular hair products such as hair gels, which is a huge advantage of this method of extensions.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/hair-articles/choosing-the-best-hair-extensions-6024117.html
About the Author
Helen Turley writes great articles when it comes to hair and beauty. Gain some tips and see which Hair Extensions Helen recommends today.