“The illusion of deception”: Hair extensions - instructions for use
You can cut off a braid in an hour, but you won’t be able to grow long curls quickly. In addition, the natural thickness and strength of hair is different for everyone. Thin curls don't look chic. If your hair is naturally brittle and weak and does not grow long, then you can use extensions. By visiting the salon, you will radically change your image. A bouffant hairstyle will make you more confident and attractive.
Contents
Types of hair extensions
The beauty industry is constantly evolving, new opportunities are emerging to make a woman beautiful. There are several extension technologies, each of them has its own characteristics:
- Hot method. In the process, additional strands are fixed to natural ones with hot resin. The method is suitable for hard and durable natural strands. Hot resin can damage fine hairs. Includes several capsule techniques: Italian, French and English.
The Italian method is considered gentle. The strands are attached to keratin capsules, which are melted with warm tongs. Their temperature is not higher than 180 degrees. There is no need to avoid saunas or sunbathing when wearing hair extensions. 
The English technique uses a special gun with rods made of refractory keratin resin. The strands are fixed to natural ones and grow along with them.
The French method involves the use of protein capsules. They fix additional strands in any area of the head.
- Cold way. It is the most delicate extension. Additional strands are fixed with liquid keratin. When interacting with oxygen, keratin hardens.
- The Japanese method involves fixing the strands with metal beads.
- Tape method. The process uses strands on ribbons. They are fixed with special glue or tape to natural hair.
- Using false strands pinned with hairpins. The most short-lived method, but even a beginner can do it at home.
An experienced professional should determine the best extension method for you. In this case, the locks will wear well and delight the woman.
How to grow hair at home
It is better to start using extensions with false strands. They require careful handling, but do not harm their own curls. Hair extensions are convenient to use to create hairstyles for parties. You can purchase false strands of any length. Their color should be in harmony with the color of your hair. 
Clean hair is separated by a horizontal parting in the place where the strands will be attached. The part of the hair that is located above the parting is gathered into a bun. A small strand is separated from the lower half of the hair, and an artificial strand is fixed to its base with a paper clip or hairpin. The remaining false curls are fixed in the same way. After all the strands are secured, the upper part of the hair is unraveled and covers the places where the strands are attached. The finished hairstyle is varnished.
If you want to get a long-term result, then use the tape extension technique. Capsule techniques are quite complex, so not everyone can grow their hair using capsules on their own.
Strands on ribbons are artificial hairs attached to strips with an adhesive base. They will grow back along with your natural curls. The color of the ribbons is selected as close to natural as possible. The top and sides of the hair are pinned up. Strands on tapes are fixed at the base of the growth of your own curls in several places. Then the parting is made 1.5-2 cm higher and the tapes are fixed again. 
After all the ribbons are used, the top and sides of the hair are unraveled. You need to handle the extensions with care and comb them carefully. When curls grow back, correction is required. The glue is dissolved with a special liquid.
If you want to get the most natural appearance of your hair, then try the Italian extension technique. Prepare the strands, hot tongs, separator and electric razor. The top and sides of the hair are removed. Next, a small strand is separated with a separator. A strand with a capsule is fixed at its base. Using heated tongs, the capsule melts and the artificial hairs are attached to the natural ones. All prepared strands are fixed in the same way. The ends of the extensions are aligned with the natural ones using an electric razor. When working with tongs, it is important not to burn the roots of your own hairs.
Hair extensions for short hair
Standard extension methods are not suitable for short haircuts. Traditional capsules and ribbons will be visible. For those with short hair, the use of micro extensions is recommended. This technique is based on the principles of hot extensions. The main difference from conventional capsule extensions is the possibility of using the procedure with hair lengths of 5 cm or more. Micro extensions are recommended for weakened and brittle curls. You can take the course in advance strengthening masks.
The procedure takes 4-6 hours, but the capsules are very small in size and weight. Such capsules are difficult to pull out when combing; they are invisible on short haircuts. Only an experienced professional can make high-quality micro-extensions. A creative approach will be required, because the capsules are placed non-standardly. The haircut should have a cascade and thinning, so the hairstyle will look harmonious. The capsules should be very durable, but invisible.
Like any cosmetic procedure, microextension has advantages and disadvantages. Benefits of the procedure:
- The result is light curls that look natural.
- Does not harm natural hair.
- Microcapsules are less than 1 mm in size and are completely invisible.
- There are no restrictions on visiting the sauna or swimming pool, or sunbathing.
- The technique allows you to add volume to problem areas: bangs, temples.
The disadvantages include the high cost of the procedure. Artificial strands will cost less than curls made from natural hair. To carry out a complete micro-extension, you will need at least 5 hours. The first correction is carried out after 3 weeks. With this extension technique it is difficult to achieve a large volume; it is only possible to increase the length and density.
If you decide to build, then contact the professionals. They guarantee quality and will not damage natural hair.
Removing hair extensions
The extensions are removed using a remover. This special liquid is applied to the places where the strands are fixed to soften the keratin capsule or glue. After a few minutes, the capsule softens, and the master pulls off the extensions with pliers. The slower and more carefully the master works, the less damage is done to the hair.
The duration of the removal procedure is 1.5-2 hours. It depends on the number of strands and the condition of the hair in general. If there are many tangles in the hair, then removal takes a long time. 
The duration is also affected by the technique used. If keratin capsules were used, an alcohol-containing remover almost dissolves them. The remaining keratin is simply combed out of the curls. When using resin capsules in the English technique or tape extension, more time will be required. It is more difficult to dissolve resin and glue with a remover. After removing the strands, it is recommended to wash your natural hair with shampoo and conditioner.
Should I get hair extensions?
Those with thin or short curls resort to extensions. After the procedure you can get increase hair thickness up to 3 times. You can extend curls in certain areas of the head, apply curly curls, or lengthen your bangs. When using strands of a contrasting color, it is possible to obtain a highlighting or coloring effect.
The procedure is popular after injuries, burns or head surgery. It allows you to hide scars and birthmarks. After an unsuccessful haircut or coloring that damaged the roots, extensions allow you to create an attractive hairstyle. 
However, building up also has negative aspects. Caring for hair with extensions is difficult, even when using natural material. Other people's hair can make you feel disgusted. In addition, washing and care should be gentle. At night, your hair should be braided and combed only with a large comb. Correction will be required as the roots grow.
You should not extend your hair if you have increased sensitivity of the scalp, baldness, undergoing chemotherapy treatment, or using strong antibiotics and hormonal agents.
The qualifications of the hairdresser have the greatest influence on the condition of natural hair. The cost of the procedure cannot be low, otherwise the material may be of poor quality.
Correction of hair extensions
As the length of your own hairs grows, the extensions will move down and become noticeable. The need for correction depends on the growth rate of your own curls, usually 2 months with capsule technique, 1 month for tape extensions.
The correction procedure will take about 4 hours. First of all, all the extensions are removed. If they have not lost their attractive appearance, then they can be extended again. After removing the extensions, natural hair is dyed and trimmed if necessary. After this, the extension strands are reattached. The number of donor strands is usually increased, since some hairs are lost when worn or it deteriorates.
Caring for hair extensions
Extended locks will look attractive longer if you follow simple care rules.
- You need to wash your hair in the shower, without tilting it forward.
- Do not use care or styling products containing alcohol.
- For combing, use a sparse comb with large teeth.
- To prevent the curls from getting tangled, they need to be braided.
- You need to make corrections to your extensions in a timely manner.
- For washing and care, specialized lines of products are used.
Artificial locks are negatively affected by visiting a sauna, solarium, or swimming pool. Therefore, it is better to visit these places only when necessary.
Hair extensions: before and after
After extensions, girls are transformed. A beautiful hairstyle gives you self-confidence. The photo shows examples of extension results.
