Hair Extensions-What is the real damage?

[AnnaB]

Hi guys.

I really want to have long hair, but mine is barely shoulder length and so damaged from bleach and so layery. I hate everything about my hair.

I started considering hair extensions, that way I would not obsess about my hair growth.

How damaging are they!? I know there are several types:



Sewed in
Liquid glue
Micro-rings
Bonds
Clip-in


Has anyone had any experience before? Would they kill my new healthy growth? Any advise would be appreciated. Thank you.

Plus I wouldn't have them long, max APL.

[sarelis]

The only extensions I have experience with are micro rings, I only had a few blonde ones put through my black hair as I wanted a change but didn't want to trash my hair with bleach. I found them pretty damaging, they were painful when first put in then caused a lot of breakage, so I took them out promptly! Of the types you listed clip ins are the most hair friendly, especially if you just put them in now & then when you are going out or something. I think even clip ins will damage your hair if you wear them all day every day though.

[melusine963]

Some people find that the clips themselves cause a lot of breakage, and that the weight of the extensions pulls hair out at the roots and even leads to traction alopecia (sometimes irreversible). There was a thread a while back about this, and someone posted a link to some video clips. Perhaps try googling 'long hair extensions + damage' for more information.

I've never worn extensions myself, but I would advise you to be careful. I don't imagine they'd cause much harm worn very occasionally, but I wouldn't risk it as a regular, or even semi-regular thing.

[metricfuture]

I've had both sewn in and bonded (various types of adhesive, not just glue) extensions in the past. They damage your hair, period. The weight can cause damage with nearly any type. The installation can cause breakage with bonded and micro-ring methods, and the take-down (and detangling) causes the most damage of all (and, other than clip-ins, happens with every kind). Seriously, I've been growing out extension damage for almost 3 years, and they just aren't worth it. If you want instant gratification, you may want to look into buying a really nice wig/half-wig/hair piece. Far less damaging, and just as effective against hair boredom.:)

[Oksana]

I had a sew in weave about 5 years ago and although I didn't notice any bald patches, my hair was considerably thinner after it was taken out. I also wore clip-ins for years and only noticed minimal damage.

[bunnylake]

I think your best bet is to just take really good care of your own hair and have patience and wait for it to grow. I've never heard anything good about extensions. My sister is a hair stylist and she has told me that they are pretty much all damaging in some way.

[RavenBaby]

I use clip-in's a lot. I suggest buying a rather inexpensive pack of good ones and going from there, they are by far the least damaging and socially acceptable to wear by anyone. the snap clips did not do any noticeable damage to my near roots where they were placed but I did get dandruff from them, especially when I wore a clip in fringe, every time I took it off my scalp was raw red and tender even when I removed the clips and just strapped it on, it was real hair so I loved it anyway lol but I won't wear it again. make sure the colour matches your hair, that is the hardest part but they're great because you're not stuck with any permanent issue, if there is damage, it's minimal, low risk and gradual so you can take them out the second you notice any change. hope this helped. Look on ebay search hair extensions and the color and click the "worldwide, free p&p and buy now" options and start at "lowest price first". One more thing: make sure the extensions are very light, mine are, this is very important for thin hair as heavy extensions can cause breakage faster, plus look for snap clips with a plastic lining on where it clips onto the hair strands.

Edit: I really think you should buy a very cheap brand in say primark (pennys), try them on once or twice, walk around with them and see how you feel with them/if they cause pain or damage etc. and go from there. They're super cheap in primark, trust me. I wouldn't discount extensions if I were you however clip ins are the only option that is safe and cheap.

[Ravenwind]

I would look into getting clip in extensions. They're safer and you can reuse them :) The ones with real human hair are pricey but it would be better to get those than fake ones. I wouldn't recommend getting them glued in or anything though, my sister had that done and it was a mess, also very damaging since it can, for one, rip out your hair.

[akilina]

They are all damaging in their own way. I know its frustrating..and lately I have been considering using clip in extensions again but its simply not worth it.
The all have some sort of mechanical damage involved..some more than others. Its not what you want to hear but I just say..take care of what you have. Its frustrating to me but it is what I am doing.

[Addy]

They will thin your hair and are all damaging in some way. I had clip ins I used because of a bad haircut and I had breakage from them. My best advice is to grin and grunt through your present damage and grow it out as best you can! Hair extensions on healthy hair will break it off. Hair extensions on damaged hair will wreak havoc. I wouldn't do it if it were mine knowing what I know. I'm sorry it's maybe not what you want to hear...

[kaydana]

If you're that unhappy with your hair, then get the extensions. Go with clip ins as you can adjust the placement slightly every time you wear them so you don't put them on exactly the same hairs each time, and they're not pulling on the hair 24/7.

Your profile says your goal length is BSL so you don't need to be as careful with your hair as someone who is growing to longer lengths as any damage you cause will get cut off sooner. Having hair that is as healthy and undamaged as possible only goes so far. In my opinion it is much more important to like and enjoy your hair, no matter how much damage you have to cause in order to do that.

[Dovetail]

I think if you want extentions get high quality clip-ins. I've seen some that even use a sort of comb that you slide in a flip to secure so it isn't bending the hair as much. I wouldn't wear them every day (like ALL the TIME) Like, grocery shopping? sure! Dusting? not so much. I do agree that human hair is most likely best, you can dye it to match your own, curl it ect ect. They DO cause damage, but if you're gentle and don't wear them too much I don't see them as being any worse than a barrette or hair tie.

[torrilin]

You're typing yourself as both F and i. Both those factors mean your hair is going to be more prone to breakage than normal. You've also mentioned that you've got damage from bleach, and that will result in increased breakage as well.

In your position even if I were just going for BSL hair, I'd avoid regular use of extensions. Once a week even might be too often. Going for a wig is less likely to be damaging. From shoulder to BSL is usually a 2-4 year project. A straight haired person with a fast growth rate might do it in less than 2 years, and a super curly may take way more than 4 years. But the more damaging methods you have in your routine, the more time it will add.

[Unofficial_Rose]

I had some very expensive bonded in ones done at a supposedly reputable salon that specialised in extensions. They did look pretty great but were rather heavy and sleeping on the bobbles where the bonds are attached to the scalp is uncomfortable. I woke up one morning to notice that around each bond some of my hair was coming out at the root. So I loosened the bonds by applying olive oil and waiting, and took them out myself.

My hair was noticeably thinner and it's mostly grown back, but I'm not sure it's as thick as it was previously. I only had them in for 3 weeks. :eek:

On the plus side I got served in bars much quicker when I had the long, thick hair. ;)

[AnnaB]

I didn't not realise just how much damage they can cause!

I really do want long hair, but healthy long hair.

It doesn't seem worth it if I'll be even further away from my goal after having them done.

thank you all!

[RileyJane]

I REALLY dont like any of the above mentioned ( mainly b/c if youre trying to grow your hair out, it basically sets u back straight to your roots) plus the glued-in ones dont sound fun. but, i did wear the clip in kind for like half a year, and never saw any damage, mainly cuz i clipped them in at a different part of my hair every time, so i dont think they are damaging, if at all

[Rocket22]

I had an entire album with my extensions. I wore them for 4 1/2 years straight and I took pictures after every take down to see what was happening with my real hair. I honestly didn't have very much damage at all, yes maybe some but the benefits at the time out weighted the damage, and I noticed I would leave my own hair alone and it did get healthier. (I have pictures to prove it) I installed them myself and used the tape method. I personally loved them. I still every once in awhile will put a row in for some thickness. I know everyone will say their hair was soooo much thinner after the install was taken out but honestly you do get so used to all that hair that of course your hair will feel thinner. (that is why I would take photos) But you do have to be careful on how extensions are applied and taken out, if not done correctly they can be extremely damaging!

[RavenBaby]

I think if you want extentions get high quality clip-ins. I've seen some that even use a sort of comb that you slide in a flip to secure so it isn't bending the hair as much. I wouldn't wear them every day (like ALL the TIME) Like, grocery shopping? sure! Dusting? not so much. I do agree that human hair is most likely best, you can dye it to match your own, curl it ect ect. They DO cause damage, but if you're gentle and don't wear them too much I don't see them as being any worse than a barrette or hair tie.

Would hair ties be as damaging as clip-ins? Possibly not since hair ties don't exert weight onto the hair.. or do they in some way? like in say a normal ponytail. I'm not sure lol.

[chen bao jun]

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2012/08/naomi-campbells-hair-weave-disaster/

[Astraea]

I had an entire album with my extensions. I wore them for 4 1/2 years straight and I took pictures after every take down to see what was happening with my real hair. I honestly didn't have very much damage at all, yes maybe some but the benefits at the time out weighted the damage, and I noticed I would leave my own hair alone and it did get healthier. (I have pictures to prove it) I installed them myself and used the tape method. I personally loved them. I still every once in awhile will put a row in for some thickness. I know everyone will say their hair was soooo much thinner after the install was taken out but honestly you do get so used to all that hair that of course your hair will feel thinner. (that is why I would take photos) But you do have to be careful on how extensions are applied and taken out, if not done correctly they can be extremely damaging!

My experience has been similar to Rocket's. I've had great results but also regrets with some methods.

I've had tracks of hair bonded with hair glue close to my scalp = disaster, root damage with take down regardless of how

I've had my real hair cornrowed in a circular pattern and individual tracks sewn on, like a wig = nice, but best to keep your perimeter loose

I've also had light-as-air loose hair extensions twisted, not braided, onto my own hair = the best

Wig = absolutely fabulous! Easy, non-committal, hair friendly - but potentially damaging w/o a barrier wig cap (or if used with glue/tape from what I've read)

The twist extensions were lovely, light, soft and put little to no stress on my hair. I did this for 4 years when my hair was ear length. I got them re-done every 2-3 months and had a hair bonanza when I took them out. No thinning and super long. Your hair shifts after some wear and I'd take out extensions here and there if I felt my strands being tugged. I'd say there was minimal damage, no more than I experienced with combing/styling and not concentrated. I finally learned how to do these twist extensions (thank you YT) 1 week ago and installed my own :D ME! Who can't even center a ponytail!

Why not try either to sew in extensions or a wig? My hair retains a lot of length with extensions. Like everything, it works for some, not for others.

[Tizzles]

I had sew in extensions done when I was younger. I was meticulous about caring for them, I did everything I was instructed and even some things that other people said worked for them. I only had them in 4 weeks and had them professionally removed...my hair took about 3 years to recover. It just depends on your hair type, how strong it is, and how you treat your hair with them in. They will ALL cause SOME form of damage. Sometimes though, the damage is noticed less by some and more by others.

I also tried clip in's a few years ago...worst idea ever, for me anyway. My hair is fine, was fine, will always be fine. It's irritating, I have to be careful even putting it up in a ponytail. However it's your head of hair. If you really would like to try long hair on you and kind of maybe just put them in when you're going out or when you are just having a super bad day and feel depressed about your hair, they probably wouldn't hurt...THAT much. Just be careful, as others have stated, there can be damage done with prolonged use of clip in's or any extensions for that matter. I was where you are right now about a year ago. My hair is now almost BSL. Just time, love and patience (you'll hate the word patience before it's over with) is really all you can do to grow out your hair without damage. Any quick fix will likely result in causing more issues than you have now.

[MonaMayfair]

I didn't not realise just how much damage they can cause!

I really do want long hair, but healthy long hair.

It doesn't seem worth it if I'll be even further away from my goal after having them done.

thank you all!

Anna, the 3/4 wig (like on a hairband) is a good suggestion, also you can get those fake ponytails that wrap around the base of your own (shorter) ponytail. They would both give you instant long hair, with no damage (at least the half wig wouldn't cause damage, I'm not sure if the fake ponytails put a strain on your roots)
The only thing is, if your hair is the color in your profile picture, it might be hard to match it (but that would be the same for extensions)

[GrowingOut]

http://i.imgur.com/rFTd9.png

I really don't think they understand the message people are trying to get across here...

[catamonica]

I don't know a lot about hair extensions. But pictures of Lindsay Lohan the actress , shows her with a bald spot, from wearing extensions for so many years. Here in California they have a shampoo called Original Mane & tail horse shampoo. After years of my hair not growing since high school, my hair grew fourteen inches to waist, in my 50's. And now since I have been wearing a braided bun four times a week, It is one inch above tail bone. If you can get some shampoo in the UK it might help. I put two capfuls of olive oil in my shampoo & conditioner. It makes your hair softer, & possibly helped growth. I hope it will help your hair. If you can wear it up a few days, that would help to. Buns keep my ends healthy. You can order the shampoo on line if they don't sell it in the UK.

[lolar]

Personally I wouldnt get them as I've heard the are all damaging :(

[Viscountess]

I was toying with the idea of extentions. I wondered where the hair came from, and I was... ethically challenged?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1036155/Why-Ill-wear-hair-extensions-pop-star-Jamelia.html

No extensions for me....

[katerina90]

[QUOTE=AnnaB;2367268]Hi guys.

I really want to have long hair, but mine is barely shoulder length and so damaged from bleach and so layery. I hate everything about my hair.

I started considering hair extensions, that way I would not obsess about my hair growth.

How damaging are they!? I know there are several types.....




i guess it depends on few things, i had some bad hair extensions in
the past, some hair extensions, they would tangle a lot and shed, i
tried few companies and few extenisons from different places, i found
eastern hair company selling russian hair, i heard russian hair is
best, i purchased few oz of russianhair, installed them, its been a
while now they have been on, no issues, ove them.

[Syaoransbear]

EDIT: oh crap this is a resurrected thread. nevermind.

I never experienced any damage with clip in extensions, probably because you take them out whenever you feel like it.

[BlondeWavyGal]

Tried clip ins.
Its a lot of work just for longer hair and caring for extensions is twice as hard as real hair because when you accidentally tug a few strands out while brushing they aren't coming back.

[MidnightSunlite]

So the least damage hair extensions, that I'm getting from reading and skimming this thread is, Wigs, Ponytail wraps and clip-ins worn sometimes to rarely right?

[jacqueline101]

I think your best bet is to just take really good care of your own hair and have patience and wait for it to grow. I've never heard anything good about extensions. My sister is a hair stylist and she has told me that they are pretty much all damaging in some way.

I agre this is the best method for long hair. I've known people had the glued in ones had allergic reaction to the glue. Plus it thinned their hair.

[Majormiles]

I know people that have started to bald through hair extensions, enough said! I would keep with growing natural hair if I were you. You hair looks nice on your pics!

[Agnes Hannah]

Hi I have used and still do, clip ins. I make them myself so they have clips specifically for fine hair (Amazon). I have worn them quite a lot when growing from shoulder to APL but not as much now. My hair is baby fine and so I take real good care of it. I found the extensions didn't damage my hair, I wore them loose and found that they did protect my fine hair a little too. Its a question of preference and taking responsibility. If you are wearing some and they are causing damage, then stop.

[ebullience]

I know this thread was from January but I just wanted to add my two cents - I wore clip in extensions daily for five years. When I stopped using them (bar two times this year) there was clear damage in the form of thinner hair that was more sparse around the areas where the clips had been. I had to be very careful when tying my hair the first three months because if I did it the wrong way I would reveal obvious bald patches.