Are you tired of your hair being flat, with no bounce or volume? If so, you might have already considered adding some hair extensions to your look.
Extensions give your hair the body and the length you want, so that you can either wear it as it is or style it in various ways. You can also either wear them on a daily basis, or only for special occasions! However, you might wonder how long do hair extensions last before investing in them. That is a legitimate concern and something you might want to take into consideration.
Don’t worry – we have got you covered! In this article, you will learn everything there is to know about hair extensions, their types, and how long do hair extensions last. In addition, we have compiled a few tips to help you make them last longer.
So, What Exactly Are Hair Extensions?
Hair extensions are made either from synthetic or human hair strands. They securely attach to your hair, and help you lengthen your hair or add some more volume to it. Moreover, they can also help you cover up or fix a bad haircut!
Suppose you want highlights without putting your hair through the damaging bleaching process. That’s another way you can use these extensions! You get to add dimension, volume, and color to your gorgeous mane without any additional chemical treatment.
What’s even more exciting, extensions can help you style your locks without sacrificing your natural hair length. Plus, it can make your thin hair look luscious and bouncy.
How Are Hair Extensions Made?
Hair extensions are made up of two main hair types: either real human hair or synthetic hair.
Real human hair extensions come from people who donate or sell their hair. It is the ideal form of hair extensions that will likely match your natural hair. However, it is prone to getting frizzy, dry, and rough, just like your natural hair. But, real human extensions generally also last longer. They can sustain heat styling and require the use of heat styling products.
Synthetic extensions can be made from various materials. Often, they might use plastic-like materials to make synthetic extensions.
Speaking of how long do hair extensions last, synthetic extensions generally have a shorter life span. They get damaged easily due to friction or heat styling. Plus, they can be stiff, look a little unnaturally glossy, and they “flow” differently compared to natural extensions.
How Long Do Hair Extensions Last?
Read on to find your answer to the million-dollar question!
There are different types of extensions based on how they are applied to your hair, and each of them enhances the appearance of your hair in a different way. Each type has a different lifespan too. As you scroll down this article, you will learn more about extensions and how long each type of hair extension lasts. Although there are no permanent extensions, there are various other options to consider:
Pre-bonded / Fusion Hair Extensions
Fusion or Pre-bonded hair extensions create a seamless blend with your natural hair. They use a tool similar to a hot glue gun to get attached to the root of the hair. Pre-bonded extensions get attached to individual strands of your natural hair. The application process is a little tricky and requires help of an extension specialist.
It gives you blended and voluminous hair, and they are typically considered the most natural-looking extensions. Typically, the fusion hair extensions last for 3-4 months, until the grow-out becomes too noticeable. However, this depends on how well you take care of them. You need to ensure you use the right hairbrush to maintain your fusion extensions.
Tape-In Hair Extensions
Tape-in extensions are semi-permanent. They come as strands that are 1.5-inch wide and have an adhesive that can attach itself to your hair. The adhesive used is usually a double-sided keratin tape that is generally harmless. These don’t require a heat application, and it lets your natural hair grow easily for a longer period of time. In addition, these pieces of tape dissolve extremely easily, and some of them are even reusable!
This method of hair extensions is quite popular and give you an amazing voluminous look. Moreover, they are extremely easy to apply and use. You might wonder how long do tape-in extensions last. If you maintain and care for them well, your tape extensions can last for about 1-2 months.
Clip-In Hair Extensions
Clip-in extensions are temporary hair extensions. They are lightweight, sturdy, easy to use, and are the least damaging hair extension type, as they don’t require any heat to apply. These extensions come with multiple hair strands and silicone or textile-based clips.
All you do is clip them on your natural locks to make it look voluminous and long. You might wonder: How long do clip-in hair extensions last? Typically, the clip-in extensions last for 3-6 months, however, you can only wear them for a few days in a row at a time. Besides, for best results, you need to take care of them properly. You should use sulfate-free shampoo for your clip-in hair extensions, especially if they are made with real, quality human hair.
Sew-In Hair Extensions
Sew-in hair extensions are also semi-permanent. Your natural hair gets braided into cornrows before these wefts of hair get sown into the braids using a needle and thread. Generally, people who have thicker hair use these to lengthen their hair.
These sew-in extensions last for 6-8 weeks. However, it is important to note that having the sew-in extensions for more than four months could affect your natural hair growth.
Micro-Links
Micro-links are semi-permanent hair extensions. They use micro-bonds or micro-beads to attach strands of hair to small sections of your natural hair. The micro-link hair extensions is an extremely popular method and it doesn’t require the use of any heat or glue. However, it is a type of extension that requires assistance from a hair stylist.
The micro-link extensions last for about 3-4 months. Since the micro-link extensions’ micro-beads get attached to your natural hair root, you need to be cautious. They require care and repositioning in order to avoid a messy grow-out.
Wigs
Wigs are possibly the most popular hair extension type. They help you reinvent your hair completely in a matter of 30 minutes. They are strands of hair that come with a plastic or net base that covers your entire head completely. Moreover, wigs also come in natural and synthetic forms.
A natural wig lasts for one year, and a synthetic wig lasts for about 4-6 months. Of course, you need to care for your wigs appropriately. It isn’t advised to use any heat styling or hair products on your wigs, especially if they are made out of synthetic hair. Another good tip to know is that you should avoid brushing your wig when it’s dripping wet.
How To Make Hair Extensions Last Longer?
Now that you know how long do hair extensions last, you might ask how to make them last longer?
Your hair extensions require strict aftercare in order to make them last longer. The answer to your question lies in their quality and durability, plus how you care for them. Read on to learn the tips to make your extensions last longer.
Washing Your Extensions Correctly
Your washing routine is important to make your hair extensions last longer. Use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to wash your extensions, especially if they are made out of real hair.
Note that you should shampoo your roots and scalp to remove excess oil and use a conditioner for the ends to moisten them. Avoid applying conditioner near the extension’s roots as it will shorten their lifespan.
Avoid Sleeping with Wet Hair Extensions
One of the major secrets to increasing your hair extensions’ durability is avoiding sleeping with wet extensions. Your hair becomes weak when wet, and breaks more easily.
Sleeping with wet extensions also makes them more prone to matting and shedding, so it is important to dry your hair completely before sleeping. Use a hairdryer on a low heat setting to dry your extensions completely before heading to bed.
Brush Your Hair Extensions Carefully
Brush your extensions slowly and carefully. Use a high-quality hairbrush and brush from the bottom-to-top direction in order to maintain healthy-looking, beautiful locks. In addition, you should brush your “mane” gently and as many times as necessary to avoid tangling.
Opt for Conditioning Treatments Weekly
Just like your natural hair, it is crucial to pamper your extensions too! Moreover, since they cannot get the natural moisture and oils that your natural hair has access to, you need to give your extensions a weekly conditioning treatment.
It will keep your extensions gorgeous, smooth, and shiny.
Minimize Damage By Heat
Most of your hair extensions are made up of human hair. So, they get prone to split ends, brittle ends, and more. Furthermore, your extensions, just like your natural hair, can get damaged by the overuse of heat styling.
Plus, once your extensions get damaged, there is no going back and there is no way to reverse the damage. So, protect them from heat damage by following these tips:
• Apply heat protection when using a flat iron, curling iron or a blow dryer.
• Keep the temperature of your heating tools low
• Take a break from a hot tool once in a while. Try not to use them more often than once a week
Avoid Hair Extension Tangling
While you cannot keep from tossing and turning when you are in a deep slumber, keeping your extensions from tangling is vital. Use a silk scrunchie or a spiral hairband to tie up your hair in a loose pony or a bun. Alternatively, you can French braid your hair before going to bed every night – in order to prevent tangling.
Separate Hair Extension Bonds Daily
Ensure you separate the hair extension bonds daily to avoid additional tangling. You don’t need any specialized tools for this purpose. You can use the magic of your fingers to separate the hair extension bonds. It prevents shedding and breakage over time, and it is one of the lesser-known secrets of making your extensions last longer!
Some Mistakes To Avoid With Hair Extensions:
Now, you know how long do hair extensions last and how to make them last longer. Here are some more tips to ensure that your extensions look amazing and stay on for even longer! These are the mistakes that you need to try to avoid when dealing with hair extensions:
• Do not use poor-quality extensions.
Good-quality ones may be expensive, but they will last longer and not harm your natural hair. In this case, it is definitely worth paying slightly more!
• Be sure to color-match.
Unless you are getting highlights or a balayage hair color, ensure your hair extension color matches your natural hair color perfectly.
• Consider how much weight your hair can handle.
Don’t attach a large strand to small sections of hair; you’ll find it becoming heavy and easier to detach.
• Don’t neglect a proper post-care routine for your extensions.
After all, they do require extra care. For instance, consider applying conditioning treatments or hair masks on a weekly basis!
Wrapping Up
Hair extensions are the perfect solution to thin hair with less volume. What’s more, extensions are mostly easy to use, and most of them are semi-permanent or temporary.
There are five main types of hair extensions, and each has a lifespan of approximately 2-4 months. Moreover, you can make them last longer with proper care. A strict care routine is the magic formula for long-lasting extensions.
