HAIR EXTENSIONS FAQ

During the last couple of years, hair extensions have become really popular. The hair industry has evolved so much and there are so many high-quality products that offer amazing results for women who want to add length and volume to their hair. There are so many different types of hair extensions you can choose from that everybody can find something that is right for them. From clip-in, flip-in, tape in, to micro ring, micro loop, and fusion, just to name a few, extensions come in all kinds of interesting varieties. For that reason, you can purchase extensions that fit your budget and your needs.

Women who have never worn extensions often don’t really know what to expect. If you are new to this world, you probably have a lot of questions and feel a bit overwhelmed. But don’t worry, we have got you covered. In this article, we have compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions.

After you read this, you will find out all the basic information about hair extensions and that will enable you to pick the right product, learn how to care for them and get familiar with the basic terms like Remy hair and much more. So let’s get started!

HOW LONG DO HAIR EXTENSIONS LAST?

The hair itself can last for a long time, often more than 6 months if you take care of it and if it’s genuine Remy. That’s why you should really try to maintain it by following simple guides. But remember that certain extensions methods will require refitting. Apart from the clip in and flip in hair methods, most other hair extensions will eventually grow out.

People think that you can simply wear your extensions for months and months without getting them reapplied and while some types do allow for that, you have to understand that your hair grows so the extensions grow down with your hair. In that case, you do need to have regular maintenance appointments. But that doesn’t mean you have to buy new extensions, they just need to be reinstalled.

If you let them grow out too long, you will be able to see them. For example, your hair grows about an inch each month, so imagine what happens after a couple of months, that’s a lot of growth. This is also not good for your own strands as well because it puts a lot of strain on your natural hair.

HOW LONG DO GLUE HAIR EXTENSIONS LAST?

Hair extensions that use glue like tape-ins usually last for 3 to 6 months. It all depends on how you maintain them. If you’re careful about not damaging the glue, use the right products, and avoid hot tools, the lifespan of your extensions can be even longer than 6 months. If you have genuine Remy hair, which is the best quality hair around, you can extend the lifespan of the hair for up to 8 months. That’s why you should take maintenance very seriously.

But as we explained in the previous questions, glue based extensions do require you to reapply them every 4 to 8 weeks. The exact time depends on your hair growth, but as soon as you notice that your locks have grown for more than 1 or 2 inches, that means it’s time to remove them and apply them again.

WILL HAIR EXTENSIONS DAMAGE MY HAIR?

Generally speaking, no, hair extensions will not ruin your hair. The only case when that can happen is if they are not applied properly or cared for. If you follow simple guides for installation and maintenance, there’s absolutely nothing to be afraid of.

Something you need to understand before you get extensions or before you’re about to remove them is that some of your hair may come out, but you don’t have to fear drastic hair loss. Again, if they were applied incorrectly, you might actually be breaking some of your hair, but that can be easily avoided.

Typically, the hair that was supposed to come out naturally gets trapped within the glue or the attachment. So once you take it out, you might experience a bit of hair coming out, but again, that’s the hair that would fall out naturally anyway. Also, after you remove hair extensions, you may feel like a lot of your hair is gone, but actually only the extensions are gone and you’ve been used to having that extra hair. So it’s something you have to get used to after removal because you forget the feel of your natural hair.

The last thing you need to remember and expect before getting your new hair is that extensions require you to be much more careful than with your natural hair. Some people comb them out really roughly and don’t really take their time. You shouldn’t rush and it’s important to be very gentle with them in order to avoid damage. If you follow the rules and are very careful, you will have long lasting hair extensions and you won’t do any damage to your own hair.

ARE HAIR EXTENSIONS COMFORTABLE?

Since there are many different attachment methods, some of them you can barely feel on your head, and others take a bit of getting used to. You have extra hair on your head so it can’t feel completely like your natural hair. When you first get extensions, it might be a little bit weird because it’s new, or if you touch the back of your head or the sides, you might actually feel them, but that doesn’t mean they’re uncomfortable to wear. Sleeping with extensions can also be a new experience, but it’s not particularly uncomfortable.

All of that better as time goes on and you get more and more used to your new hair. This is just something to keep in mind when getting hair extensions for the first time and something to expect. After a couple of days, you’ll get used to them and won’t feel them at all.

HOW MUCH DO HAIR EXTENSIONS COST?

High-quality, human hair extensions are simply not going to be as cheap as synthetic hair and that’s pretty obvious. You can find amazing extensions that are not extremely expensive, but you cannot expect to buy quality hair for a couple of dollars. Anything that seems too cheap is probably of very low quality and since those extensions will not last you for a long time, you’re not really saving money.

If you’re looking for quality, you should buy genuine Remy hair and it’s a good idea to invest in top quality hair because you can wear it for months and it looks so much better than cheap, thin hair that has no shine. The price of extensions varies and depends on the length, thickness, and the application method. Usually, high-quality Remy extensions are in the $100-$500 range. If you want hair that is very long and thick, the price obviously goes up. If you’re on a budget, clip-ins are a good option because it’s one of the cheapest methods, but still, offer high-quality hair.

HOW MUCH DO HAIR EXTENSIONS COST IN A SALON?

Buying extensions in a hair salon are usually much more expensive than buying online, for example. And then if you add the cost of application, it can be pretty high.

Again, this depends on what kind of extensions you’re getting and where you are located. The cost may vary significantly in different towns, states, and parts of the world. But generally, the installation of sew-in extensions costs from $100-$500, tape-ins are about $200-800$, and micro and fusion methods are anywhere from $400-$1500. That doesn’t include the cost of the hair, just the application.

So if you want to get more permanent extensions, be prepared to spend money at the salon. Clip in and flip in extensions won’t cost you anything because you can install them yourself.

WHAT’S REMY HAIR?

Remy is a term used for the highest quality of hair. In order to label hair “Remy”, it has to come from a single donor, all the cuticles have to be aligned and go in the same direction, and the hair cannot be manipulated in any way, chemically or otherwise.

Remy hair has the longest lifespan and will tangle a lot less. It looks simply amazing and blends perfectly with your natural hair.

But please be careful of companies that are trying to trick you and sell you low-quality hair under the Remy label. This hair is not genuine and will not give you the same results as real Remy hair.

WHAT HAIR EXTENSION APPLICATION METHOD SHOULD I CHOOSE?

This depends on what kind of results you want and your day to day activities. If you want extensions that you don’t have to wear all the time and can install yourself, then clip in and flip in are the best options. You simply attach the clips before you go out and it will take you only a couple of minutes. When the day is over, just take them out and store them.

If you don’t have the time to put hair in every day, then you should think about more permanent options. There is a lot to choose from, like fusion, microbeads, and tape in, and all of them give great results.

CAN YOU INSTALL HAIR EXTENSIONS YOURSELF?

With some basic skills, you could potentially be able to apply almost any type of hair. But some are definitely easier than others. Clip in and flip in methods are extremely easy and perfect for beginners. Following a simple tutorial, you can apply clips in minutes.

Tape-ins are also pretty easy to apply because they require no tools, you simply apply the tape. Fusion and micro beads are strands by strand methods and you need clamps or pliers in order to put them in. They take a little bit longer than other methods and you will probably need a helping hand for the back of your head.

So if you’re on a budget and don’t want to spend a lot of money at the salon, find some guides and tutorials that are easy to follow and don’t be afraid of trying to do it yourself.

CAN YOU DYE HAIR EXTENSIONS?

If you buy high-quality Remy extensions, you can do pretty much whatever you would to your natural hair, and that includes dyeing. But you should still be careful, as you would with your own strands, and avoid harsh bleaching or big changes in color. It is best to dye your extensions in darker tones because that is much healthier.

Before you go ahead and dye your extensions, test the color on one small strand to make sure that everything is ok. Just avoid strong chemicals and make sure to use products that will protect and replenish your hair after dying.

DO I NEED LONG HAIR TO GET EXTENSIONS?

No, your hair doesn’t have to be that long in order to get extensions, but it is recommended that you have at least 8-10 centimeters in length. That way, it is much easier to apply the hair and you will have a lot more application methods available.

Tape-ins are usually recommended for short locks because they are very thin and discrete so they won’t be visible.

CAN I INSTALL HAIR EXTENSIONS ON THIN HAIR?

It depends on how thin your hair is. If it’s not that severe, then you definitely can get extensions but you have to be careful which methods you use.

Flip-ins are the least invasive method and safest for thin hair because there’s absolutely nothing pulling on it and it’s least visible. Tape-ins are another great option because they come in small, thin strands that don’t put much strain on the hair. Other extension methods like clips or micro beads are not recommended because they could damage your already thin strands and it probably won’t be able to hold it.

It is best that your stylist does an assessment of your hair density and recommends the best option for you.

WHAT HAIR PRODUCTS SHOULD I USE?

When washing hair extensions, it’s important not to use strong shampoos that contain chemicals. You want a mild shampoo that is very moisturizing because that’s what your extensions need the most. Also, make sure that the product you use is sulfate free.

Leave in conditioners are another important part of hair care. You should choose one that fits your texture and protects it from damage. You can use additional hair treatments, but don’t go overboard with the products.

CAN PEOPLE TELL WHEN I WEAR HAIR EXTENSIONS?

Absolutely not. All extension types are completely invisible and everything people are going to see is beautiful lustrous locks. Given that you blended your hair perfectly and have the right color, it will look completely natural.

That’s the awesome thing about hair extensions, you get amazingly voluminous and long hair and everybody thinks it’s completely natural.

DO I HAVE TO STYLE MY HAIR EXTENSIONS?

It is best if you style your extensions and to take proper care of them if you want them to last for a long time. Most of the time, it’s not a wash and go situation, you have to dry them and take the time for styling. So it does take a little bit of extra time and effort if you want your locks to look perfect.

Most people have to style their extensions except for that small percentage of women who have the exact same texture as most human extensions, which is a slight natural wave. If you don’t style them, there is a risk of not blending properly.

For example, if your hair is completely straight and you get slightly wavy extensions, when you wash your locks and don’t style them, you’re going to see the two different textures. It’s not going to be seamless and it’s not going to look that great. Or vice versa, if have curls and your extensions don’t exactly match them, you have to style them so that they look natural.

WILL MY HAIR BLEND WITH HAIR EXTENSIONS?

Many people worry about this and the simple answer is: yes. Your hair will blend in perfectly with your extensions, but you do need to follow some simple tips. In order to get a seamless blend, you have to pick the right color, or even better, a couple of different colors. If you combine a couple of different shades, the extensions will look much more natural and mix better with your color. It is also a good idea to cut the extensions so they match your natural strands perfectly.

If you’re having problems with picking the right color, there are color swatches you can order or you can ask your stylist for help.

CAN YOU SLEEP WITH EXTENSIONS?

That depends on what kind of extensions you have. If they are permanently on your head, then you obviously have to sleep with them. But make sure not to let your hair loose when you go to bed, it is recommended that you make a ponytail or a braid. That will prevent matting and tangling and your locks will look amazing when you wake up.

If you have clip-ins, then you should take them out before sleep. It’s not really necessary to wear them in bed because you can easily put them in again in the morning.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I WASH MY HAIR EXTENSIONS?

Unlike natural hair, extensions don’t require frequent washing. That’s great news because it can save you a lot of time. For example, it is recommended that you wash your clip-ins after every 20 wears, which is a long time.

When you have permanent extensions, it is recommended that you wash them once or twice a week. Doing it every day or every other day is simply too much and it doesn’t do anything good for your extensions.

CAN I SWIM IN A POOL WITH HAIR EXTENSIONS?

You probably heard different opinions on this, but you actually can swim with hair extensions. The only criteria is that you have 100% human Remy hair. Just make sure you wash your hair afterward and apply proper care.

WHY SHOULD YOU NOT WEAR HAIR EXTENSIONS?

Hair extensions are obviously a great thing, they can transform your hairstyle and help you achieve the look that you’ve always dreamed of. But not everybody should get hair extensions. There are certain people with quite sensitive scalps where having extensions would be really uncomfortable, especially the permanent ones because once they’re on your head, that’s it. There are some women who install their new hair and they’re very happy with the look, but then they realize they won’t be able to keep it because their scalp is so sensitive and have to remove it right away.

So if you’re the type of person who can’t wear a ponytail because it really bothers you and hurts your scalp and gives you headaches, you might have a scalp that’s too sensitive for extensions. But fortunately, only a small group of women have this problem, and you probably don’t have to worry about it.

WHAT ARE THE BEST HAIR EXTENSION BRANDS?

There are so many different brands to choose from and it can be very hard choosing the right one for you. If you’re looking for high-end products that are made from Remy hair, some of the best companies are LuxyHair, Bellami, and AiryHair.

It all depends on what you’re looking for, but you should always pick the brand that you can trust and that has great reviews from customers. That will give you a sense of the quality of the hair that is being sold.

CONCLUSION

Hair extensions are wonderful and an incredible tool to enhance your look or change it completely, to give you the long, luscious locks you’ve always wanted, and to add thickness to your hair. If you inform yourself beforehand and choose the right products, you will have a great experience and be very happy with your extensions.

Now that you have finished reading our FAQ, head over to AiryHair home page and select your preferred fusion type!