Let’s admit it, one of the biggest fears that assail us when we decide to use extensions are the repercussions that these can leave in our hair, and it is not for less, since at first glance some procedures to place them look aggressive.
However, all this is nothing more than myths and taboos that exist around certain beauty procedures, not only extensions, here we will tell you exactly why there is no risk in the placement of these accessories and how to avoid falling into false information about it.
What Are Permanent Extensions?
When it comes to hair extensions, there are endless varieties to choose from to suit your current and future needs. One of the most popular is the permanent ones because they offer several benefits.
Some of these benefits range from firmness in the hairstyle to invisibility of the joints as well as a natural look of a full head of hair as they happen unnoticed without any problems.
They usually last for a year or more if they are made of quality human hair, and are usually retouched every two months. Within the category “permanent” we can find several types of extensions such as:
Stitched extensions: these are curtains of hair joined by a running seam, these are placed in the hair by braiding in several layers of the hair, they almost do not stand out and are comfortable to wear once you get used to wearing them, it is recommended to place them in a salon by a professional hand so that they are perfect.
Adhesive extensions: they are made of a surgical adhesive so they do not cause allergies or problematic reactions; they are usually very light and comfortable as well as practical.
They come in rows and are placed as a curtain in different layers of hair, to achieve an effect of volume without being noticed should be placed by a professional.
Staple extensions: they are placed using a small metallic adherent to the hair, they are practically undetectable although they tend to be a little uncomfortable at the beginning.
They are not recommended for people with sensitive scalps or with hair loss problems. They do not damage the hair strand and are therefore very popular.
Keratin extensions: these are some of the most popular extensions because they can be added both by point and by strands and are almost invisible. They are placed by taking the hairpiece strand to the natural hair and sealing it with a heat tool so that it is firmly attached.
In terms of damage, keratin is not aggressive to the hair, especially if it is of good quality and if it is applied by a professional hand.
Pros And Cons Of Permanent Extensions
Generally, wearing extensions poses no risk to natural hair unless care and placement instructions are not followed correctly or if the person placing them is not a professional or at least someone qualified.
While they do not in themselves pose a danger, this does not mean that they cannot harm, many reasons can lead to your hair suffering and none of them are directly the fault of your extensions.
Cons:
First of all, we must be fully aware of our hair and its weaknesses before even thinking about making any changes to it, although it may not seem like it, it has a lot to do if for example, our hair is weak, brittle or if we have hair loss problems.
All of this determines which extensions are right for us; if you have weak, brittle hair and insist on using permanent extensions instead of less dependent ones, you can’t blame them if you lose a strand or two when they are removed.
Maintenance also plays a big part in the damage as extensions that are not properly maintained, readjusted, moisturized, properly styled, and monitored by a stylist can result in considerable damage to your hair.
Another important point is the quality of the hair, the most recommended whenever we talk about this kind of product is to always look for the best quality ones, not only for the shine or how pretty it may look but because it means better compatibility, easier maintenance, and fewer products to apply to make it look beautiful.
Pros:
Properly placed and with the right maintenance extensions not only look good but make us feel good. In the same way that many people seek them for simple aesthetics or to change their look following current trends, you can see thousands of people seeking to improve their image to feel good about themselves.
These cases can be people with partial baldness, alopecia, very thin hair, growth problems, or slow growth. Beyond aesthetics, it is also a way to treat physical problems that otherwise would only generate insecurities.
It is a quick way to change our look and the length or volume of our hair nicely without being noticed at any time because everything is hidden within the same hair without problems.
How Do I Know If Permanent Extensions Are Right For Me?
The fastest way to make a decision is to consult a professional stylist, with whom we can study our hair in depth and compare it so that we can decide on the most viable option without affecting our hair.
Once studied our case, you should always opt for the best quality as this guarantees greater durability, a spectacular view, and the result you want if you fear having to change them in a month or not. It is well known that Remy extensions can last up to more than a year as they do not deteriorate at the same rate as natural vintage hair.
Experimenting is also a good way to decide on a type of extension, one of the beneficial factors of using this type of accessory is that there is no limit to the number of times you can use it, so if you want to try the different presentations that come in until you find your favorites there is nothing to stop you.
How To Take Care Of Your Hair While You Have Permanent Extensions
One of the most important steps in establishing a hair care routine for your new hair is moisturizing.
Why?
This is because cut hair does not receive the nutrients and natural oils that it would normally receive if it were still attached to the head, and although some of our natural oils can reach them, it is not always enough.
Natural products as well as moisturizing masks and conditioners based on oils, natural oils, or aloe vera are excellent for maintaining shine and greatly facilitate the combing of locks. It is also recommended to apply creams with vitamin E or omega 3 because these serve to renew the hair strands and are very beneficial for the hair.
Brushing And Styling:
Another way to care for hair with extensions is by brushing it constantly to keep it free of knots and placing it in a sheath preferably silk or cotton overnight to prevent tangling. It can also be loosely braided or you can opt for silk pillowcases for your pillows.
Environments
You should avoid exposing your hair to hostile environments such as seawater, especially if your hair is treated with dye or straightening treatments as they can damage it and your extensions with it.
Heat tools
When it comes to permanent hairpieces, it is best to go to a salon when styling styles that require heat tools. This is because some of them are attached with special adhesives and it is better not to touch the joints to avoid melting them.
Likewise, the staple ones can be affected and the stitched ones can be a bit of a hassle as well. However in terms of use, as long as the extensions are made of human hair and not synthetic fibers, there does no impede using them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I style my hair without the joints showing?
It is normal that at the beginning we are a little hesitant about combing our hair because a wrong move can expose the joints and that’s not great, insecurity takes over our heads and we prefer to wear our hair loose all the time.
However, this is just another myth surrounding hair extensions. We can do almost any hairstyle if we are a little careful about the joints if we don’t want them to be noticeable.
Most of the joints are practically invisible as they are placed in strategic places and are unnoticeable so don’t hesitate to wear that cute hairstyle you saw on the internet, especially if it’s a braid or loose buns.
Can I use heat tools without going to the salon?
In terms of safety and longevity, it is better to go to the salon, but if you are in the middle of an emergency and need to resort to them there is a little trick you can use.
– If the extensions are keratin or adhesive, gently separate your hair by feeling the joints and apply the heat a few centimeters below the place where they are located so you don’t put the adhesive at risk.
– If they are braided and braided yarn, try not to pull hard and avoid applying heat near the beginning of the joint.
This way you will be able to make a quick change if you do not have enough time.
How can I take care of my permanent extensions if they are synthetic?
In terms of care and aesthetics, it is not advisable to use this type of extension because there are many “don’ts” that go with them.
You can’t apply heat tools like blow dryers and straighteners, you can’t over-wet them, you shouldn’t wear them for too long and you can’t dye them.
They are a good option if your budget is tight and you need a quick change, but they are not something you should wear permanently. To take care of them you should try to keep them untangled at all costs. Avoid heat and dry clean if possible.
Can I color my hair after I have extensions?
The answer is yes, as long as they are at least made of natural hair, as it is impossible to do so with synthetic hair. The best way to dye your hair without fear is to moisturize thoroughly first, with special emphasis on the extensions, and then proceed.
It must be done by a professional to avoid tragedy.
What do I do if my hair has become misaligned but I don’t want to remove my extensions?
A visit to the salon may be all you need to polish them up a bit again, usually cut hair gets a little frizzy when it needs treatment, that’s why moisturizing is such an important factor when it comes to wearing extensions.
Part of the damage that can be caused by using these accessories comes from the improper use we give them, especially if we have bad care of our hairpieces.
General warnings
Although most of the time there is no risk in the use and application of this type of modification beyond the one that we can cause ourselves if we are not aware of certain factors such as:
– The professional level of the stylists: since it is something delicate and we cannot allow a bad job to damage our hair.
– The quality of the extensions: always the natural, Remy, virgin, or simple harvest are better than any synthetic material and allow us to make many changes within the same as it is the dye, straightening or curling treatments, elaborate hairstyles, etc…
– The level of care we have towards them: hygiene and personal care define the durability of products like this.
– The environment: although it is not necessary to have a specific climate to place extensions, we must take into account the environment to maintain them, the excessive heat, water, salt from the environment, cold or humidity are factors to take into account as they directly affect our hair.
After all, we are talking about cut hair and without the supply of necessary elements to regulate it, that is why we must proceed to take care of it properly from exposure to the elements, such as the use of thermal masks, special caps, hydration and avoid frizz with good foam.
