Do you want to know the type of hair extension that exist and the best grade among them? If YES, here are 5 types of hair extension you can sell for profit. Today, there are different styles of hair extensions and terms that it can get confusing for anyone new to the world of hair.
Experimenting with locks has never been easier as it is today with the help of hair extensions. These attachable tresses can be as temporary or as permanent as you like, coming in all shapes, sizes, and colours. However, before we get down into the different types of hair extensions, it is crucial to first understand hair extensions, especially since they come in real human and synthetic versions.
What is Human Hair?
Human hair extensions are without doubt what they sound like. These extensions are made out of real, human hair from top to bottom, collected from a donor. Remy hair means all the cuticles (the outer layer of the hair) are intact, running in the same direction at the time of collection. This also allows for almost no tangling and ensures that the extensions remain smooth and silky throughout their lifetime.
What is Synthetic Hair?
Synthetic hair on the other hand, is made out of various synthetic, blended fibres, and contains no human hair. These fibres are usually very fine, plastic fibres that are manufactured to imitate real human hair. Nonetheless, both real and synthetic extensions come in many styles, colours, and different forms of application.
Even though the quality of synthetic fibres can vary, but they are generally stiff and move differently from human hair, so they don’t blend as well with your natural hair. Synthetic hairs sometimes have a wiry or coarse feel to the touch. Real hair looks and feels real (because it is!) and therefore blends more naturally with hair.
Human hair extensions can be maintained just like our natural hair. It can be straightened, curled, blown, coloured, and even touched with hair products. But with synthetic hair, you cannot colour the hair as most dyes contain ammonia or bleach, which would destroy the synthetic hair.
5 Types of Hair Extensions to Consider
Regardless of the actual type and method used, below are top modern hair extensions to consider in the United States.
1. Clip-in Hair Extensions
Clip-in wefts, also known as clip-in hair extensions, come in a strand of contoured pieces, attached at the base with either fabric or silicone. Clips are attached to this base and come ready to use. The only thing you have to do is clip the pieces to your natural hair all on your own! Each clip snaps open and close with ease! Clip-in hair extensions are the least permanent style of extensions because they can quickly be removed and put back on whenever you want.
Note that unlike some of the other hair extension types, clip-ins usually takes 5 – 15 minutes to apply at home. Clip-in hair extensions are also the least damaging because they don’t involve any chemicals, heat, pressure, or other installation methods mentioned above. The same synthetic vs. real hair rules apply when it comes to treatment of clip-in hair extensions.
2. Fusion & Pre-Bonded Hair Extensions
Fusion hair extensions (also known as bonding or pre-bonded) are fused to natural hair with different adhesives such as glue. Note that pre-bonded hair extensions take approximately 3-4 hours to install and are also installed by a hairdresser.
Fusion extensions might not be suitable for all clients as this type of extension is very damaging to your natural hair. The application involves a machine that looks like a hot glue gun, which essentially glues the hair to individual strands of the natural hair.
According to experts, Fusion/pre-ponded application is managed and treated the same way as your real hair. You can use the same products you would normally use, however, the extensions need re-positioning every 2–3 months as the natural hair grows. In addition, owing to the plenty chemicals in the glue, this method can cause hair loss, breakage, and scalp irritation.
3. Tape-In Hair Extensions
These extensions are pre-taped and then taped/glued together on either side of your own hair. Normally a hairdresser would apply tape-ins for you because you need to align them with the roots and they are applied with a heated tool that heats up the glue.
Also note that you would need to have them removed (with glue remover) and then reinstalled. Naturally, when you apply heat to your roots and any adhesive product such as tape or glue, this can damage your hair.
With tape-in extensions, you have to be very careful when using conditioners or hair products because this can cause the tape to come loose or slip off. Due of this, hairdressers usually recommend you use special shampoo or conditioner and styling products that are less harsh and not as oily to ensure the glue continues to stick to your hair.
4. Microlink Hair Extensions
Microlink hair extensions are also referred to as micro bead hair extensions or micro loop hair extensions. These extensions are applied by attaching tiny wefts of hair to small sections of the natural hair with a small silicone-lined bead.
At this point, a special tool is used to secure the bead to the hair and tightened to hold it in place. Although this method does not use heat or glue, if not installed correctly by a professional, microlink hair extensions can be damaging on the hair.
Experts’ advice you wash them the same way you would your natural hair and use the same styling products. Similar to fusion hair extensions, microlink hair extensions need re-positioning every 2 – 3 months as the natural hair grows and the micro beads move away from the scalp.
5. Sew-In Hair Extensions/Weave
Weave hair is applied by braiding the natural hair into cornrows first, then using a needle and thread to sew the weave into the braid or cornrow. These hair extensions are mainly used for people with thicker hair because of the way they are applied.
Howbeit, the weave application is a very long process (usually several hours.) The tight application method often puts a strain on the scalp and can feel very heavy or uncomfortable, which is also why it doesn’t work well with thin or lighter hair.
Sew-ins also come in wig form, which is sewn into cornrows the same way, however, the hair comes in one piece as opposed to separate wefts. This type of hair extension is popular because it’s the most permanent and seamless, as the hair is literally sewn into your own hair and cannot come off.
However, if you have a weave, you need to moisturize the scalp, the nape and edges of the hair at least once a week and ensure you are using deep conditioning products. Another popular advice for people with weaves is to wash the hair with a special protein product to minimize damage and weakening of the hair. In terms of styling, the same rules apply for real hair vs. synthetic hair—usually weaves come in real hair because of how long they are kept in.
What is the Best Grade of Hair Extensions?
Most people wonder what the difference is between A, AA, AAA, AAAA grades etc of human hair extensions. For anyone new to the industry, these grades can be very confusing, as hair can be listed from anywhere between A to AAAAAAAA. The more A’s listed, the more confusing things become.
The hair extension grading system can actually be pretty simple once you understand how the system works. Rather than thinking of the hair extension grading system as determining the quality of the hair, it actually refers to the proportion of strands per bundle that actually measure the full length of the bundle.
For instance, every strand in a bundle of 18″ hair extensions will not measure 18″, as each bundle will be made up of long and short hairs. Have it in mind that the more strands that measure the full 18″, the thicker the bundle of hair, and the higher the quality.
This is also referred to us single or double drawn, whereby single drawn would be grade A, double drawn would be the highest listed grade, typically AAAAA or higher. Owing to this understanding, below is a breakdown of each grade to determine the type of bundle people buy.
a. Grade A
In a bundle of 18″, less than 50% of the hairs will measure 18″.
b. Grade AA
In a bundle of 18″, around 50% of the hairs will measure 18″.
c. Grade AAA
In a bundle of 18″, around 60% of the hairs will measure 18″.
d. Grade AAAA+
In a bundle of 18″, around 75% of the hairs will measure 18″.
e. Grade AAAAA+
In a bundle of 18″, the majority of the hairs will measure 18″.
Note that you will also see listed terms such as Grade AD, Super A, or 7A, HD, however these all refer to the same principle of how drawn the hair is, and if it is listed at the “top grade”, then this will mean it is double drawn.
Some few years back, when there was less information available regarding the quality of hair extensions, grading systems were used to help attract customers to buy what would seem like a higher quality of hair by listing as AAAAAAAA.
Nonetheless, due to the confusion caused by the system and a lack of understanding available, many now refer to the terms “single drawn” or “double drawn” instead, as this is a much clearer and more accurate way to describe hair.
Note that hairs listed as double drawn is now considered higher “quality” in terms of a grading system, as it means that each bundle purchased will have a high proportion of longer hairs, resulting in thick hair extensions from root to tip.
Conclusion
It is our goal to provide you the information you need to make an informed decision on which type of hair extensions will be right for you, your hair type, and your hair goals. Now that you know the basic information about the different types of hair extensions and their grading systems, you know what is best for you.
Keep in mind that it is crucial to get high-quality extensions, no matter what method you go for. That ensures longevity, great results, and easy maintenance.