The Different Types of Hair Extensions

Hair extensions are a fun and safe way to alter the thickness, length, texture, color, or style of your natural hair. They come in a wide variety of options, however, and it can be a bit overwhelming for someone new to the extensions game. Read on to learn all about hair extensions, the types of hair used in them, how they are attached to your hair, and what your options are for getting extensions to your hair.

The hair used for extensions can either come from live human donors or be created synthetically. Real human hair has many benefits, including its ability to look perfectly natural and respond to treatments and styling just like your own hair. Since it is natural human hair, it takes color, heat styling, washing, heat, and other treatments the same way your natural hair would. If you want long-lasting, natural-looking hair that is soft and easy to care for, real human hair is the way to go.

Virgin hair is the highest quality human hair you can find. It means that the donor had never died, chemically treated, or otherwise damaged or altered their natural hair, so there is nothing in the hair that would have a negative reaction to any color or treatment you apply to it.

Synthetic hair extensions are made from various synthetic, blended fibers. They are generally less expensive than human hair, and they come on a spectrum from low quality to much higher quality and therefore more natural looking. In general, however, synthetic extensions have a thicker and shinier look and feel that give them away as not being real human hair.

Remi extensions are a class of extensions made from human hair, and they are assembled so that the original cuticle is intact. The hairs all run the same direction, root to tip, so that the hair stays strong, soft, tangle-free, and beautiful. They are generally considered the gold standard of hair extensions.

There are many different ways to adhere your extensions to your natural hair. Some are more permanent, while others allow you to wear or remove them often.

Tape-in extensions are pre-taped and then applied to your hair with tape/glue that is heated and aligned by your hairdresser. To remove them, a glue remover can be used, and they can be reinstalled by repeating the process. Depending on your hair’s growth, this needs to be done every 4-8 weeks, making tape-in extensions semi-permanent. Tape-in extensions require gentle care and special shampoos so as not to cause the tape to loosen. They can be styled as normal.

Clip-in extensions are popular because of how easy they are to wear and remove. They come in strands with clips attached to the base, and you can apply them at home in as little as 5 minutes. Since they just clip to your natural hair, they are non-damaging and very safe. They can be styled just like your natural hair. How long they last depends on how frequently you wear them, if you allow product to build up, how much heat styling they are exposed to, and other care factors.

Sew-in extensions, or weave, are another semi-permanent option. This type of extension is sewn using a needle and thread into your natural hair, which first needs to be tightly braided into cornrows. This works best on course hair and the process can take several hours. It is permanent and seamless, which is why it is so popular. Weaves typically last 6-8 weeks, and they shouldn’t be left in for longer than 4 months.

Glue-in, fusion, or pre-bonded hair extensions are fused to your natural hair using an adhesive. The process can sake 3-4 hours and should be done by your hairdresser. You care for them the same way you care for your natural hair, and they can last up to 4 months. 

To explore your options for Bohyme hair extensions and products to help you achieve healthy, gorgeous hair, check out the selection from Luxe REMI today!