Do you love to play with your hair? Do you love to experiment with different hairstyles? Are you in love with long hair but don't want to invest much time? Then, hair extension is the only way. Hair extensions give you the freedom to enjoy both long and short hair.
Here, you might come up with some basic questions like, "How long do hair extensions last?" "How many types of hair extensions are there?" "What are the right ways to maintain them?" The question list can be extensive; however, your questioning journey ends here.
Read this guide to get all your answers now.
How long do Hair Extensions Last?
The lifespan of a hair extension depends on the type you choose, its quality, and its maintenance. Based on these factors, a hair extension can last for three months to a year, and as hair extensions never come cheap, you need to invest your money wisely.
Do you need clarification about what hair extension should you choose? Read the next section.
Hair Extensions and Their Lifespans at a Glance:
| Type | Average Lifespan |
| Fusion/Pre-Bonded Hair Extensions | 2-3 months |
| Tape-in Hair Extensions | 4 to 8 weeks. |
| Clip-in Hair Extensions | 3-6 months |
| Sew-in Hair Extensions | 4-8 weeks |
| Microlink Extensions | 3-4 months |
There are five types of hair extensions, and their longevity solely varies by type. For example, tape-in hair extensions last for 4-8 weeks. On the other hand, a wig lasts for almost 10-12 months. However, before choosing a hair extension, remember that the price varies depending on the type and quality.
Let's dive into the types to give a blow to your look.
1. Fusion/Pre-Bonded Hair Extensions
The average lifespan of hot fusion or pre-bonded process is 2-3 months.
Fusion or pre-bonded hair extensions are among the most popular hair extensions due to their comfort level. In this process, a hairdresser attaches the hair strands to the roots of your natural hair using a keratin bond agent. The process can be done using the hot or cold method, and both have pros and cons.
Hot Fusion Process
In the hot fusion process, the hair strands get attached to the hair root with the help of a heated keratin adhesive. The process involves the extensive use of a fusion hair iron or hot pliers to melt down the keratin and strengthen the bond of the hair extensions and natural hair.
The whole process can take at least 1-2 hours. Please note that the installation time will depend on the type of extension you choose and your hairdresser's efficiency level.
Pros:
- Keratin adhesive has a closer composition of protein to natural hair. So your hairs get less damaged.
- Hot fusion can last for six months without any extra effort.
Cons:
- You need an experienced hairdresser to get the desired results.
- Due to the extensive use of heat, the process is not entirely harmless.
Cold Fusion Process:
Contrary to the hot fusion process, no heat is used in the cold fusion process. In this process, i-tip and nano-tip strands get attached to the hair with the help of a small clamp or bread. However, as the process is newer and quite different, getting the right hair stylist is complex:
Pros:
- Cold fusion is gentler on the hair due to zero usage of heat.
- It takes much less time to get done.
Cons:
You can enjoy much less versatility regarding styling with this hair extension.
Maintenance:
You don't need to invest a lot in this kind of hair extensions. You can use your regular shampoos, conditioners, etc.
However, it is suggested that you visit the salon every 2 to 3 months. This will help you ensure good health and a long lifespan for hair extensions.
2. Tape-in Hair Extensions
Tape-in extensions can last for 4 to 8 weeks.
Tape in hair extensions are the newest method and the most requested type. In this process, thin tape wefts, generally 1.5-inch wide pre-taped hair wefts, are taped in or placed between your natural hairs, more like a sandwich.
Pros:
- This process does not involve any heat or adhesive. It is 100% natural and does no damage to your hair.
- The hair extensions are reusable. So it will not make a hole in your pocket.
- The hair extensions lie perfectly and make no artificial look
- Perfect for fine hair
Cons:
- If it's not placed correctly (as much as possible closer to natural hair roots), it will be visible
- You need tools such as a wide-tooth comb, rattail comb, hair scissors, clips, or pins to hold back your hair or extension remover/oil to remove this type of extension.
- Tape-in extensions need serum or live-in conditioners for proper styling.
Maintenance:
Proper maintenance helps you enhance the longevity of your hair extensions. Here are some tips for that:
- Just like your natural hair, you must moisturize your tape-in extensions regularly.
- Be very gentle while combing these hair extensions. Harsh combing, tugging, or
- pulling can damage them permanently.
- Always brush from the bottom to ensure zero tug or pull. Also, do not comb near the tapes to prevent potential damage.
- With your hair's natural growth, tapes can be loosened or broken. Keep an eye on that.
3. Clip-in Hair Extensions
Clip-in hair extensions last for 3-6 months with ease.
Do you want to avoid the hustle of installing a hair extension? Then, go for clip-in hair extensions. Clip-in hair extensions are like tic-tac or tip-top clips. You need to wear this hair clip to the place you want.
In this method, the hair is attached to a metal clip, which you wear like a tic-tac clip.
Pros:
- It provides 100% flexibility. You can play with hair length at any time without any second thought.
- You can use it to increase the volume
- Zero hustle in wearing and removing it.
- You can straighten them or curl them
Cons:
- Wearing them in the same position can cause headaches. So, switching the position regularly is important
- You need to take good care of them. Washing them at an interval is mandatory.
Maintenance:
To increase the lifespan, follow the below-mentioned tips:
- Wash them regularly
- Avoid wearing them while they are wet
- Use a wide-tooth comb to comb this extension
How to Wash Clip-in Extensions?
Here is a step-by-step guide for clip-in hair extension washing.
Step 1 - Brush the hair extension gently to remove every tangle.
Step 2 - Store some water in your sink and add mild shampoo.
Step 3 - Wet your hair extensions with the shampoo water.
Step 4 - Gently wash extensions with shampoo water. Do not tug, rub, or pull it.
Step 5 - Wash it with normal water and let it dry naturally.
4. Sew-in Hair Extensions
The average lifespan of a sew hair extension is 4-8 weeks.
Sew-in hair extensions are semi-permanent hair extensions. In this process, the hairdresser makes braids around the head. The braids can't be too thin (it will loosen the hair extension) or can't be too tight (weaken the roots with time).
Once they are done with braiding all the hairs, the dresser sews the extension with the braid. It gets sewed in a way that does not harm the scalp or root and also doesn't harm the braid.
The extensions are placed like a curtain over the braids. In the reapplication process, the dresser removes the wefts, unbraids the hair, and repeats the process.
It is essential to mention that sew-in extension is also known as weft or weave extension, and it has two types:
- Machine Wefts: These hair extensions are thick, rough, and heavy. Go for it if you have thick hair.
- Hand wefts: Hands wefts are smooth, lightweight, and easy to wear. Due to its lightweight nature, it is ideal for thin and medium hair.
Pros:
- It is one of the least damaging hair extensions. Neither heat nor a hair-damaging product gets used in this process.
- These extensions provide 100% flexibility to the user. You can colour them, straighten them, or curl them. In short, it is just like your natural hair.
Cons:
- Tight braid or sew can cause severe headaches and weaken the roots.
- It is not suitable for short-length curly hairs
- The sew-in extension is costlier than other extensions, such as clip-in or fusion ones.
Maintenance:
Here are some of the maintenance tips that will help in increasing the lifespan:
- Oil your scalp whenever you feel itchy due to the braids. Use coconut oil for this.
- Wash your hair with a mild shampoo every seven to fourteen days.
- Do not sleep with wet hair. It causes friction and pull.
- Start brushing from the bottom to avoid any pull, tag, and breakage.
5. Microlink Extensions
The average lifespan for microlink hair extensions is 3-4 months.
Microlink, micro bead, or micro loop are the same. This type of hair extension is applied to your hair with the help of a small bead. This small bead holds the extension and attaches it to the natural hair.
Pros:
- Microlinks are for every hair type. However, choose a texture closer to your hair texture.
- This extension blends with natural hair flawlessly and gives natural-looking, dreamy hair.
Cons:
- You need to use a lot of products, such as conditioners, serums, etc., to protect hair health
- It is expensive
- For weaker hairs, microlink is not a very good option. It can cause hair shedding
- It takes a lot of time to get installed
Maintenance:
As a microlink hair extension is expensive, you should maintain it carefully to increase lifespan. Here are some tips for that:
- Detangle your hair regularly and carefully. Use a detangler brush to keep your hair smooth and prevent breakage.
- Take care of your scalp. Do not forget to do oil massage and regular massage to enhance blood circulation
- Use a bonnet at night to protect your hair from friction
- Do not opt for heat styling more than 1-2 times in a month
What are the Factors Influencing the Lifespan of Hair Extensions?
One of the most common questions during the hair extension is 'How long do extensions last in hair.' Although it is a fact that every hair extension has its specific lifespan, sometimes it gets spoiled even before the timeframe.
On the contrary, for many people, it lasts long. What are the secrets behind it? Let us burst the bubble today; here are the factors that control the lifespan of hair extensions:
1. Natural Hair Growth
Apart from the wig, every hair extension gets attached to the natural hair's root. As the natural hair grows, the extension turns loose and gets broken.
According to data, the average hair growth rate is about half an inch per month. So, you must visit the salon every 6 to 8 weeks to reposition the hair extensions.
However, if your natural hair growth cycle is slower than the average rate (slower and faster growth is common), it will last longer.
2. Maintenance
Every hair extension has a maintenance routine that must be followed strictly to ensure the good health of the hair. For example, if you comb the clip-in extensions harshly, they will get spoiled faster than the given timeframe.
3. Quality of the Extension
There are two types of hair extensions: human hair and synthetic hair. Hair extensions made from human hair are superior quality, provide enough comfort while wearing them, and can last up to one year (with the proper maintenance).
For this reason, the demand for this specific hair extension is rising rapidly. According to recent data, back in 2023, the global market for hair extensions was around USD 4.45 billion.
Experts expect this market to reach USD 4.88 billion in 2024. Also, the growth is projected to reach USD 10.78 billion by 2032. Due to this high demand and a lack of supply, it will cost you a bit. However, remember, it is an investment you are making for yourself.
4. Attachment
The kind of attachment effectively controls its life span. For example, semi-permanent methods such as tape-ins, fusion, or micro-link have lower lifespans than removable ones.
You can't control the natural hair growth level to make your extension last longer, but you can for the rest of the three.
However, do you know which one you have the highest control over? It is the maintenance routine. The maintenance routine essentially controls the lifespan of your extension. Do you want to know how?
What is the Role of a Maintenance Routine?
Like natural hair, hair extensions can get tangled, dry, and brittle. After that, they can start getting out of place or shedding.
To prevent this, one must regularly provide all the necessary maintenance for the hair extensions. However, one might ask the exact reasons for this maintenance routine. What role does it play?
Here is the role of a maintenance routine:
1. Prevents Dryness
Like natural hair, extensions can become dry and rough due to pollution and other environmental factors. Proper hair care routines, such as using an excellent live-in conditioner, serum, regular oiling, etc., help prevent this.
2. Removes Dirt
Our scalps have pores like our faces, which release sebum and make the scalp oily and dirty. Additionally, environmental pollution makes it worse. Regular shampoo helps clear that dirt and maintain lustrous hair.
3. Lowers the Damage Level
Some of the extensions require heat, while others need to be made into tight braids. So, minimum damage to your hair is confirmed; however, with a proper maintenance routine, you can reduce the damage level.
Your maintenance routine ensures the health of the hair extensions and enhances the health of your natural hair.
What is the Importance of Conditioning and Moisturizing?
The importance of a maintenance routine is evident now. It is essential to highlight those conditioners and moisturizers mean hair oiling is pivotal in this process.
After all, hair health is all about protection, and these components help protect your hair against environmental pollution. Here are some of the importance of condition and moisturizing:
- Soften hair
- Conditioner reduces frizz and amount of tangles
- Make hair combing easier and reduce chances of tagging and pulling
- Hair oiling enhances blood circulation and overall scalp health.
- Conditioner protects hair from environmental pollutants
- Hair oiling balances hair moisture and prevents it from getting dry due to intensive chemical usage.
So, hopefully, you will not make the mistake of skipping conditioner and moisturizer, aka hair oil, for your hair extensions. Promise?
When Should You Replace Your Hair Extensions?
No matter how much you take care of, with the growth of natural hairs, it is natural to get the extension loosened, and then you have to replace it. However, what is the right time to do so? Well, that depends on the type of extension you are wearing.
For example, a fusion hair extension lasts two to three months, while a tape-in hair extension lasts four to eight weeks.
Here are some signs that work as indicators:
- You are shedding too many hairs
- Extreme tangles
- Dry, coarse, and rough hair
- Hairs are getting loosened from the scalp
Experts suggest running your fingers lightly through your hair to know whether they are losing the root.
How to Remove Extensions Safely?
Hair extensions look great. However, when they are broken, you must remove them. Wearing broken extensions can lead to hair breakage, more tangles, and ruin the overall hair health.
So, to remove the hair extensions, either you can go to your dedicated hairdresser or follow the below-mentioned steps:
- Step 1 - Detangle your hair
- Step 2 - Use some oil or serum on your scalp and hair
- Step 3 - Part your hair into smaller sections
- Step 4 - Now gently remove all the extensions
- Step 5 - Comb your hair again, then use shampoo and conditioner
What are the Tips to Make Your Extensions Last Longer?
Good quality hair extensions literally can make a hole in your pocket. However, it is an investment because it gives your desired makeover, hair volume, and length.
You need to protect it rightly to benefit the most from your investment. Are you wondering what else you need to do apart from using shampoo and conditioner or following a maintenance routine? Here are the tips:
1. Do Not Sleep With Wet Hair
Never sleep with wet hair. It can cause friction and tangles, which can deteriorate the extensions faster.
2. Don't Use Too Many Products
Too many styling products can cause damage, stripping, and breakage. Stick to a basic routine: shampoo, conditioner, live-in, and serum.
3. Have Multiple Sets
One should buy multiple sets for hair extensions, such as clip-ins. This will reduce the pressure on one and increase the lifespan.
4. Regular Care
You need to visit the salon regularly for expert care. Also, only trust expert hairdressers or salons for this. For example, as a hair extension salon, Radiance Beauty has served the industry for 40 years and is top-rated in YYC.
So, naturally, they have expertise, knowledge, and experience that help them suggest the right extension for your hair type. Remember, poor extensions can ruin your hair.
Give Your Look a Complete Makeover with Radiance Beauty's Hair Extensions Now!
Hair extensions can change your look and boost your confidence. Also, it gives you the flexibility of playing with your looks. However, hair extensions can't be cheap because of the material.
So, you must collect all the necessary data on this and invest your money in the right place.
Lastly, do not forget the importance of hiring only an expert hairdresser to do this. Only an expert can suggest the right extensions according to your hair texture and install them accurately.
Get in touch with Radiance Beauty to ensure quality hair extension installation today. Best of luck, folks!