The truth about hair extensions

When one iVillager posted on the beauty board that she was considering hair extensions, fellow members offered their own opinions and experiences...

Does anyone know more about hair extensions? Do hair extensions damage your hair when you take them out? I'm thinking about getting them because of a disastrous haircut, but would appreciate some advice first, as I don't want to end up in an even worse situation.
shuchingson

A good idea

After a horrendous haircut I got hair extensions and they look great! It took me a few hours to get used to them, but now I'm really warming to them. My husband said spontaneously on Sunday, 'You look so pretty!' I'm due back in the salon in two weeks for a 'check up', and then, when my shortest hairs grow longer, my stylist will attach more extensions. Right now I have 'half a head' of hair, as the sides and back are too short to attach anything to. My hair still looks great, but will look even better soon. I'm so happy, and get happier every minute. Even though it wasn't a 'planned for' expense, I'm so glad I took the money out of savings and took the plunge.
weddingdance

A bad idea

I had hair extensions once, but mine were not a good experience! The stylist used some sort of weaving needle and it hurt when she braided the extensions in so close to my scalp. For three nights, I could barely touch my head to the pillow because it felt like someone had beaten my head with a bit of two-by-four! It felt bruised and I cried the first two days because the pain was so bad. My extensions cost £100 and I went back after 6 days and had them removed, but it felt so good to have my natural hair again.
sky7474

A great deal of the hair used for extensions comes from Indian women who donate their hair as part of a pilgrimage ritual - they believe that they have been blessed in their lives, so they shave off their hair as their contribution. Indian traders sell the hair for 15 rupees per gram, which once cleaned and sorted by size and colour is sold onto buyers in Europe, who then make a huge profit. However, it is the salons themselves that make the most money, charging customers between £200 and £600 to put the hair on your head.

Hair extensions are individually glued to your own hair, causing damage to your hair and head. My colleague had hair extensions braided in and she suffered such pain - caused by the extra weight of her hair - that she had them removed after one week.
leslie2353

Alternatives to hair extensions

From a professional point of view, if your hair is styled any other way than long and down, do not get hair extensions sewn or glued into your hair, as they will more than likely show. If your hair is long enough to get up into a ponytail, do that and just clip an extension piece into it. These do no damage, need no hairspray, are low maintenance and look great. They can be bought at a beauty supply shop really cheaply and are so much better for your hair and for your budget.
mrd83

I wear a different clip-on extension almost every day. They look completely real and are not very expensive. However, be sure to curl them using rollers with no thermal styling, since they are not made of real hair and may burn. The best way to maintain and wash them is to soak them in cold water with a capful of baby shampoo, and then rinse in cool water, do not use anything hot. Let them dry naturally in the air and they should be like new.
indigokel

There are different kinds of hair extensions; some clip on, while others require weaving, gluing and wefting. I personally prefer the clip-on type because they are easier to attach to your hair and you can take them off anytime. Plus they are better for your hair than having them glued or woven, which can make your hair weaker over time - this is because of the chemicals in the glue and because weaving pulls your real hair too tight.

Clip-on hair varies in price, depending what type, colour, length and quality you want. In general, the longer the hair, the more expensive it will be.
beachgerl

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