The pros and cons of hair extensions

Aly Walansky
Mar 04, 2008 12:00 PM by
Posted in Beauty & Style / Splurges & Beauty Indulgences / Luxury & Spa

Extending
Your Look

Celebrities like Lindsay Lohan, Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Simpson, Miley Cyrus, Victoria Beckham and countless others regularly surprise the world with new and different hairstyles -- changing color, style and even the length of their hair -- over the course of just a couple days. How do they do it?

(page 2 of 2)

What to avoid in hair extensions

Women with long hair extensions

"The most important thing is to avoid extensions and pieces that are heavier than your own hair. If extensions are too heavy, they will damage and break off hair -- so hair needs to be long and healthy enough to withstand the pressure," Pelusi points out.

Inquire as to the possibility of getting a variety of weights, because a single one may not work for everyone. In particular, extensions that do not match your hair are most likely to give you problems. Safieh recommends a type of extensions called Hairdreams, which offer a variety of weights or thicknesses to match your true hair -- as well as the ability to pre-order highlights and lowlights. Hairdreams lasts up to seven months and the hair can be reapplied, which also helps to decrease cumulative costs of new hair and removal.

Certain specialty methods have emerged from certain salons, such as the "Goddess Loc," which have a silicon grip and plastic coating in order to not damage your hair.

Is caring for your extensions going to give you a headache?

Do extensions require a great deal of upkeep and time commitment? "Extensions are not hard to maintain," says Pelusi. "People just need to keep an eye on them -- almost like you would with color or anything else." She says that to allow for an hour at the salon every six weeks.

Jackie Saril agrees. "[Extensions are] so easy! I got the kind with a slight wave so I can let my entire head dry naturally and have some sexy waves, or I can straighten it with a brush and iron," she says.

Caring for your hair extensions

Here are some specific tips to help you care for your extensions:

  • Human hair extensions can be treated as real hair, but more gently.
  • Use a special brush (often a loop brush) made just for extensions, so youd don't damage the new hair or the bond.
  • A gentle shampoo is recommended, and use cool water to help minimize tangles.
  • A light conditioner will help reduce tangling and keep your new hair supple.
  • Sleep with your hair in a ponytail or braid to avoid bed-head and knots.

Would Jackie get extensions again? "Assuming my hair is healthy once these come out, I would do it again in a heartbeat," she says.

More hair tips and tricks

10 Expert tips for beautiful hair
Long celebrity hairstyles in CelebSalon
See more long hairstyles

How to get the hair of your dreams

« Previous
12

Tags: hair extension tips

More From SheKnows Explorer

Comments

Comments on "The pros and cons of hair extensions"

Jasmine May 22, 2012 | 1:58 PM

hey so i've been wanting extensions for a while now but i dont know which ones to get . i have thin straight-wavy'ish hair ... which ones would be best for me ?

Sandra May 17, 2012 | 11:43 PM

Well hair is dead. How can something that is dead be healthy??? Personal preference try what u feel is best for ur lifestyle. 1. Wash your hair once a week. 2. Replace them every 3-6 months. Carefully brush your hair with a wide tooth comb. It's all about proper care. And chances are your hair was trashed before you got extensions your are just so used to wearing them when u get them removed u don't realize how processed your hair was. My hair is refried but my weave is my best friend. I've tried them all but I feel sew in is the best fit for me.

Valerie April 25, 2012 | 8:48 AM

I think the clip-ins are great. People say they are getting multiple bald spots and damaged hair...well thats because they have really thin hair, usually. The clip ons aren't the cause of this. They just clip onto your hair, thats it. They dont weigh that much as well.

Morgan April 03, 2012 | 4:11 PM

Ok everyone has their own great feedback when it comes to getting extensions. I want to get permanent extensions but am so confused on if I should get them or not just off of everyones responses. Does anyone know about the type of hair they are getting? Like where its from or the best brands of hair to get? If I am going to be spending a lot of money on permanent hair extensions, I want to get the best kind out there on the market. I recently talked with a salon lady and she has cold fusion hair extensions. I always have to straighten my hair because I have some curls and frizz underneath.I know there is so many different kinds you can get I just got to do a little more research on my part. Any suggestions or feedback on the type of hair to get ant the best brands out there???

Bree January 18, 2012 | 6:54 AM

I've used clip-in extensions before the synthetic and human hair kind and I got tired of having to clip them in everyday. So I am wanting to get hair extensions that are sold in stores but at a cheap price. I used the Sally's kind but they seem a bit pricey to me. I know how to sewn in extensions but I don't know where to go to find the best price. Any suggestions? BTW I live in GA if that helps?

Steph January 11, 2012 | 12:12 PM

ive wanted hair extensions for a while now and was thinking of getting braided in extensions, because clip in ones are are hassle as i im going to dye my hair red and i dont want to have to wash them as well as my hair etc. But i was wondering how exactly do they do the braided extensions and if it includes sewing them on do you not see the sews or braides etc, becuase ive noticed this in videos ive seen?

stacy December 31, 2011 | 9:37 PM

I had gorgeous long hair, damaged it with a straightening product. I got fusion hair extensions, loved them, but hard to sleep with, not much damage to my hair. started wearing clip in hair extensions on a regular basis's, now i have a bald spot from the clip ins. The glue in's are not that bad, trust me!!!

Rose December 28, 2011 | 9:35 PM

I am thinking about having a weave done but as I read the comments I noticed that several spoke of "clip-ins." What exactly is a clip-in weave? I would really appreciate your response.

Shakari December 11, 2011 | 1:20 PM

I have had clip ins for 10 years and my hair is still as sexy and wonderful as before I started wearing them. I would commend clip ins over another method, my cousins all got weaves sewn in or the bead way and they all have really thinned out hair and it's very brittle. Stick with the clipins....

Erica November 24, 2011 | 6:13 PM

I have glued in exenstions and they itch like crazy :/ They looks amazing.. But they itch :/ im 13 and my hair is short and sister put them in and they r fine if u like itchin!

kakrum October 30, 2011 | 9:09 PM

I have tape in hair extensions . You can brush them and they dont break your hair or fall out.

Dawn October 30, 2011 | 11:05 AM

So... I don't have a lot of money. I am a highschool senior with a movie theater job where i work an avg of 20 hrs a week. I am applying to colleges and trying to save, so it's just not practical for me to be spending 200-300 every two months since i don't even make a lot.. In addition, i play soccer avidly and am very active... I use clip in hair extensions and i just wanted some recommendations for a good fit for my lifestyle... cheap and workable? can pay probably up to 120 if it will last 3 mnths but that is max and my mom won't let it go higher... HELP???

Jennifer October 04, 2011 | 7:39 PM

Okay so for my 19th birthday I got sewn in extensions and I loved them they gave me voluminous hair .. Long & I got highlights done I looked beautiful for about a moth and a half. As careful as ibwas withbmy extensions . Deep conditioning and brushig carefully I'd always have crazy ridiculous knots at the root of my extensions making me take a half an hour or longer to comb out.. In between the braid as much as I shampood it would still get yucky and greasy .. After a month i took them out I wanted to buy new hair and get that sewn in I felt like my current extensions needed to get replaced so when I took them off i felt my hair was weak a lot less than I originally had .. Alot fell out I had alot of broken hair , it was so thin .. It scared me and at first I thought "okay maybe it's bc I was so used to having them in that this feels different" but no my hair was damaged , thin, weak and I now sewed on clips to my extensions and love wearing those , I put them on and take them off as much as I want and my hair isn't falling out anymore

Alina September 18, 2011 | 7:09 PM

I have had the beaded hair ext. for 1 year now and they are no doubt gorgeous and i get compliments all the time BUT my own hair is DESTROYED. The last time they were taken out I could have just died. I could not function without them now which is devastating. THEY DO DAMAGE your hair after time. Don't let ANYONE tell you they don't. When they are removed they do break off your own hair and make it weak. It is no way worth getting them because you will end up being worse off in the end believe me !!!

Honeygirl September 18, 2011 | 11:39 AM

I got bead extensions bout a month ago and have had notning but probs.....they keep falling out in the back eventho i am doing everything that i was told 2 do!!!!! If any1 has any idea how 2 help please give me some feedback!

Kayleigh September 18, 2011 | 8:15 AM

I have alopecia and my hair has grown back but only about 2 to 3 inches I am desperate to get extention to get my hair to all one lenght but not sure if it will damage my new growth hair as all the sites seem to conflict each other! Deos anyone know?!

Nikki August 29, 2011 | 1:11 PM

Clip in extensions are not the best from my experience....i have naturally very very thick hair but i had cut my hair and wanted to wear clip in extensions for the time being while my hair was growing back, well i had worn them for about 6 months and i started realizing that my hair was so so thin which was not something i was used to at all. i came to the conclusion that it had to be the clip in extensions the weight of the hair and the clips latched on all day took a tole on my hair, so i quit wearing them a week ago, hoping that my hair will be back to its fullness and thickness soon! any suggestions, shampoos or creams i could use?

Keri August 28, 2011 | 11:14 AM

Hi Jadee I have had the same experience. I had them in for two weeks and had to have them removed. I was shedding a lot of hair and lost a lot of extensions. Has your hair grown back where you had the balc spots, as I have a couple too.

Jeanette August 22, 2011 | 10:12 AM

OK i know theres more then one way to do extensions what you think about Micro Ring extenions theres no glue and they last 3 to 6 months any one have them or had had them

Holley August 20, 2011 | 1:35 PM

I agree about the clip on hair being the best. I had the tracks with it sewn on my head before, and it gave me constant headaches. Plus my husband did not like them much either.

+ Add Comment


(required - not published)