Using hair extensions to thicken your hair?

[Sophiaa]

Hi everyone.

I would like to know if you can use hair extensions to thicken hair (if you cut them down). Is this possible?

[DreamSheep]

I guess the presence of hair extensions would make hair seem thicker purely because you are adding more hair there. It won't thicken the hair in the long term, and you may want to be aware of traction alopecia. I know, though, that for many hairstyles, especially fancy long ones on certain YouTube channels, they will add in extensions for extra length and thickness - and Indian ladies also thread in black-fabric in their parandas to make a nice thick braid too. :) So yes - extensions will make hair look thicker, but only whilst they are in.

[lapushka]

It is possible, but it isn't harmless and can even thin out your own hair if you wear them a lot!

[Sophiaa]

It is possible, but it isn't harmless and can even thin out your own hair if you wear them a lot!
I was worried about that.

[Agnes Hannah]

Hi welcome to LHC. I have worn clip in extensions, my hair is very fine and thin, so they have helped me with thickness when I have wanted to wear my hair down. They were particularly good for me when my hair was between APL and BSL. Nowadays, I wear them a lot less than I used to. They did not affect my hair in any way, I did not sleep in them and only wore them for short times of the day. Clip ins are probably the safest option. Nowadays, I prefer using a paranda, but use old extentions rather than artificial hair or fabric. Try looking at the paranda thread for some ideas. Good luck

[Larki]

I'd be wary of them because I've heard that they can damage your hair and leave it even thinner than it was before.

[lapushka]

Sophiaa, have you ever measured your ponytail circumference? That's how we determine thinness/thickness here. I suggest you do that, and find out what category you're in (i, ii, or iii). i hair has its beauty and there's nothing wrong with it. My mom has i/ii hair and has grown to love it. Her hair used to be much thicker in her childhood and during her twenties & thirties. Then it started to gradually thin out, esp. during menopause. That's life eh?

[meteor]

Hi everyone.

I would like to know if you can use hair extensions to thicken hair (if you cut them down). Is this possible?

Hi, Sophiaa! Welcome to the LHC! :cheer:

Yes, it's possible, of course: you are adding more hair strands -> more thickness.

I think I would caution against glue-in extensions and other semi-permanent options, because depending on how much and how skillfully they were put in, they might cause alopecia (from pulling on the roots too much) and some issues with scalp health from glue chemicals and, of course, there would probably extra tangling... I really don't know, because I've never tried extensions, but I've read some reports of pretty massive and long-term damage. :(

If you do choose to wear extensions, maybe go for temporary clip-in ones (and don't wear them for long)?
Or even just hair-pieces, "hair parandi" (called "extra hair" in India, for example) or wigs or "hair rats" and "bump-its" for volume? I think these options are way safer. :)
With clip-ins, I would think some mechanical damage can still happen with a bit of crimping or even breakage from clips and tangles, of course. But it should be minor, compared to more permanent options.
I wouldn't recommend wearing them for too long or too often, to be honest, maybe just for special occasions?

HTH! :flower:

[Seeshami]

Didn't Nightshade have a hair paranda made by puppycatmeow on etsy? It was one of the popular henna heads.. Technically extensions but less damaging compared to a traditional extension

[Larki]

Didn't Nightshade have a hair paranda made by puppycatmeow on etsy? It was one of the popular henna heads.. Technically extensions but less damaging compared to a traditional extension

Oh yeah, I've seen those! https://www.etsy.com/listing/165028224/paranda-hair-extension-extend-lengthen?ref=shop_home_active_23

[chen bao jun]

I'd be wary of them because I've heard that they can damage your hair and leave it even thinner than it was before.


It is possible, but it isn't harmless and can even thin out your own hair if you wear them a lot!

This ^^^^^^^^^

[Eva1202]

I got hair extensions when I got my hair fried from bleaching it. I got track extensions, which are typically less damaging for you hair. I had them in for about 2 years so I could grow a whole new head of hair. They definitely thicken your hair (and are quite addicting!). I didn't experience any damage to my hair and as I said actually got them to save my hair. Because my hair was so damaged from the bleach it was really really thin and I would 100% do it again to thicken my hair.

[Silverbrumby]

I bought clip in hair extensions from eBay, real hair and wear them when I'm going for a thicker hemline when I wear my hair out. Because of my unusually short terminal my own hair thins just before BSL. The extensions fill in the hemline and it looks better.

Matching the color can be tricky for some people but I tend to naturally have several shades in my hair so no one, not even my BFF can tell I'm using them unless they ask me.

I only wear them on special occasions

Or special hairstyles

Only for a short time, usually less than 5 hours

I wear them less than once a month.

They are fun for us thinner haired gals. My ponytail is a solid three so it's nice for me to have a hemline which matches that.

[lapushka]

I got hair extensions when I got my hair fried from bleaching it. I got track extensions, which are typically less damaging for you hair. I had them in for about 2 years so I could grow a whole new head of hair. They definitely thicken your hair (and are quite addicting!). I didn't experience any damage to my hair and as I said actually got them to save my hair. Because my hair was so damaged from the bleach it was really really thin and I would 100% do it again to thicken my hair.

Welcome, BTW.

[Fantak]

You can try one of those halo hair extensions. Apparently the quality of the hair is very good (Depending on brand ofcourse) and it doesn't pull on any hair so now issues with hair breakage or straining.

If you try them do let us know how it goes! I've been eyeing them for weeks now :D

[kitcatsmeow]

Hi and welcome! You most certainly can although the ONLY type I would recommend is tape in. Every other type will damage your hair including clip ins. If your only wanting to add a little volume and not length you could easily do this with just a few tape in extensions. Be aware damage may still occur especially if care isn't taken in removal or maintenance.

IF you are growing your hair out from damage I suggest you just try and find some safe styles to get you through the proccess. This is what I am doing now. Cut from waist to APL. The last time I went to get my hair colored the stylist tried to talk me into extensions because of my thin ends. I declined and asked for a cut. He barely dusted it. It was the first time I couldn't get a stylist to take off enough. lol. Ended up going else where a few weeks later to chop it off.

[Nightshade]

Didn't Nightshade have a hair paranda made by puppycatmeow on etsy? It was one of the popular henna heads.. Technically extensions but less damaging compared to a traditional extension


Oh yeah, I've seen those! https://www.etsy.com/listing/165028224/paranda-hair-extension-extend-lengthen?ref=shop_home_active_23

Yep :) I love mine! I generally only wear it with braided buns, but puppycatmeow is great to work with and her custom color matching is great.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qzIYEDTyINM/Uaye0s3oSVI/AAAAAAAAExg/PQFnPziV1BU/s800/Prandana-and-headband-small.jpg

Here's pictures of me, with arms! (still not sure why she decided I needed to be armless XD)


Without:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5B7CoaGpSlo/UayeztK5ifI/AAAAAAAAEw8/oaqvQMoJL30/s576/Braid-Pre-Prandana-Small.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hXVyYM1dYaQ/Uayezu9K9oI/AAAAAAAAJ0A/7IuaP7vsjkw/s576/Braided-Bun-Pre-Prandana-Small.jpg

With:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YLlZpocC0Ao/UayeziidRmI/AAAAAAAAEw0/svW20YtcwDk/s576/Braid-Prandana-1-Small.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4IHNBnEh2d4/Uayez9MQf4I/AAAAAAAAJ0E/7ciK6SamV-Y/s576/Prandana-Back-2-Small.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1yfbgHTVO0k/Uaye0P6p_KI/AAAAAAAAExY/iTWgSsCx8Xc/s576/Prandana-Back-Small.jpg

[endlessly]

Yes, hair extensions will definitely help give the illusion of thicker, fuller hair. However - and this is important to note - depending on the type of extension, you could cause tremendous damage to your hair. If you're just wanting a quick fix, some clip-in extensions won't cause much damage as long as you're very gentle and avoid pulling. Traditional extensions applied with glue are another story entirely - it's impossible to avoid damage in that case.

[StellaKatherine]

Yep :) I love mine! I generally only wear it with braided buns, but puppycatmeow is great to work with and her custom color matching is great.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qzIYEDTyINM/Uaye0s3oSVI/AAAAAAAAExg/PQFnPziV1BU/s800/Prandana-and-headband-small.jpg

Here's pictures of me, with arms! (still not sure why she decided I needed to be armless XD)


Without:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5B7CoaGpSlo/UayeztK5ifI/AAAAAAAAEw8/oaqvQMoJL30/s576/Braid-Pre-Prandana-Small.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hXVyYM1dYaQ/Uayezu9K9oI/AAAAAAAAJ0A/7IuaP7vsjkw/s576/Braided-Bun-Pre-Prandana-Small.jpg

With:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YLlZpocC0Ao/UayeziidRmI/AAAAAAAAEw0/svW20YtcwDk/s576/Braid-Prandana-1-Small.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4IHNBnEh2d4/Uayez9MQf4I/AAAAAAAAJ0E/7ciK6SamV-Y/s576/Prandana-Back-2-Small.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1yfbgHTVO0k/Uaye0P6p_KI/AAAAAAAAExY/iTWgSsCx8Xc/s576/Prandana-Back-Small.jpg

Ohh, I so want her hairextentions :crush: But really hard to match anything to my hair :)

[Silverbrumby]

That is so beautiful and in going to purchase one. I'd love to do a big bun like that. Thank you for posting.

Yep :) I love mine! I generally only wear it with braided buns, but puppycatmeow is great to work with and her custom color matching is great.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qzIYEDTyINM/Uaye0s3oSVI/AAAAAAAAExg/PQFnPziV1BU/s800/Prandana-and-headband-small.jpg

Here's pictures of me, with arms! (still not sure why she decided I needed to be armless XD)


Without:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5B7CoaGpSlo/UayeztK5ifI/AAAAAAAAEw8/oaqvQMoJL30/s576/Braid-Pre-Prandana-Small.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hXVyYM1dYaQ/Uayezu9K9oI/AAAAAAAAJ0A/7IuaP7vsjkw/s576/Braided-Bun-Pre-Prandana-Small.jpg

With:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YLlZpocC0Ao/UayeziidRmI/AAAAAAAAEw0/svW20YtcwDk/s576/Braid-Prandana-1-Small.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4IHNBnEh2d4/Uayez9MQf4I/AAAAAAAAJ0E/7ciK6SamV-Y/s576/Prandana-Back-2-Small.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1yfbgHTVO0k/Uaye0P6p_KI/AAAAAAAAExY/iTWgSsCx8Xc/s576/Prandana-Back-Small.jpg

[starfire]

@Nightshade
That's beautiful! Are they heavy?

I have clip in color pieces (for when I wanted to add color streaks without dying). I've only worn them a few times and have always had to take them out after a few hours due to sore scalp from the weight. Does the paranda feel different since it's not clipped to a particular section of scalp hair?

[Nightshade]

The ponytail thing is heavy, but because it isn't clipped in at the scalp it doesn't pull. Worn in a braided bun, it's not uncomfortable for me to wear for hours as my scalp hair isn't supporting the weight :)

[Fantak]

That is gorgeous nightshade, it looks really natural too!

[Nightshade]

That is gorgeous nightshade, it looks really natural too!

puppycatmeow does custom colors :) I saved some small locks of hair from a trim and mailed them to her. She was then able to match my very finicky and variable henna color quite well :)

[DKSABS]

I ordered one of those ponytail extensions from puppycat meow last year, but haven't worn it yet. I haven't been able to figure out how to incorporate it into my hair without it showing. I also have a couple of her braided headbands and really like them but had forgotten all about them and haven't worn them since last year some time. She sent some hair swatch samples and I compared them to my hair indoors and outdoors, and was able to order an excellent match.

[Buttercup1223]

I know this thread is old but I know sometimes people are interested in the same subject. I started wearing tape hair extensions off and on since August 2014. My hair was a little longer than chin length. I got 18" extensions. Big mistake because it's so hard to blend with short hair and just silly. I went shorter then but it's just so costly to have done every 6 weeks (yes tape ins dont last as long as they say) and coloring my hair/roots. So I have finally I think come to my own way of wearing them and growing my hair. My hair is very fine and thin and I think I am premenopausal so that doesn't help. I went from full head of extensions to now that my hair is a bit longer to a little over half head and now a little under half head. My stylist cut mine yesterday to about 2 inches shorter than my natural hair. It is getting me through that point where I always chop my hair off. I am dealing with breakage due to bleach but it's getting me through. If you do extensions my stylist says for fine thin hair that tape ins are the best way to go. The tape lays really flat to your head. They work great for thick haired girls too. Also you have to have someone that knows what they are doing put them in and someone that is honest and you can trust. I take my own out with 90% alcohol and then use a weft release on the left over tape residue and use a fine comb to get that out. I will either deep condition with coconut oil or other conditioner. My hairstylist colors my roots and puts them back in and does a micro trim when needed. It's not the best in the world I'm sure for my hair but tape is the safest you can only use a few to just give a little bit more volume.

[lunasea]

Just to support the paranda idea; here's a pic of my hair with a paranda made of Kanekalon hair that I purchased from ebay. I blended two different colors (total cost about $8.00) and used a standard paranda knot rather than a ponytail tie. It braids in with no damage to my fine, thin hair and I've had people on the street come up to me to tell me what great hair I have when I wear it.
http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o345/slashandfang/011_zpsxj6ikkjt.jpg (http://s340.photobucket.com/user/slashandfang/media/011_zpsxj6ikkjt.jpg.html)

[meteor]

^ :thud: It's stunning, lunasea! I can't believe it's just Kanekalon and not your own hair :bigeyes: - the match is just perfect!

And what a gorgeous fork, too! :applause Stunning!

Does it feel heavy at all (after a few hours of wear) or is OK? :)

[Buttercup1223]

I was admiring it too when I was look at the forum. I can't believe how perfectly it matches. :)

[Stevy]

Lunasea! That is a gorgeous bun with a gorgeous fork.

I have a couple of clip in extensions that I use to add fun colours to my hair or to add thickness if I want to wear my hair in two braids. Since I dye, the trick I use is to buy blonde extensions and dye them with the same colour mix I use on my hair. It comes out a bit brighter than the hair on my head, but not by much.

It's also fun to make brightly coloured clips by dip dyeing in fabric dye or using semipermanent dye like Stargazer. Sometimes the clip on hair can look a bit fried compared to natural hair, but soaking on coconut oil works well to sort that out.

[Echileruwen]

Whoa! That's nice! You're making me want to try the same thing. :)

[hennalonghair]

Just to support the paranda idea; here's a pic of my hair with a paranda made of Kanekalon hair that I purchased from ebay. I blended two different colors (total cost about $8.00) and used a standard paranda knot rather than a ponytail tie. It braids in with no damage to my fine, thin hair and I've had people on the street come up to me to tell me what great hair I have when I wear it.
http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o345/slashandfang/011_zpsxj6ikkjt.jpg (http://s340.photobucket.com/user/slashandfang/media/011_zpsxj6ikkjt.jpg.html)
You just posted this pic in the paranda thread and I had to do a triple take. I looked at your other buns then looked at this. You cannot at all tell it's not real hear. At least I can't and for only $8 that's awesome

[lunasea]

^ :thud: It's stunning, lunasea! I can't believe it's just Kanekalon and not your own hair :bigeyes: - the match is just perfect!

And what a gorgeous fork, too! :applause Stunning!

Does it feel heavy at all (after a few hours of wear) or is OK? :)

Thank you everyone! No meteor it doesn't get heavy at all. That cheapo hair is pretty much weightless!

I think mixing the colors is the secret to getting it to match. That, and starting a french braid as far up as you can so that the color is mixed in almost from the roots down.

[hennalonghair]

Didn't Nightshade have a hair paranda made by puppycatmeow on etsy? It was one of the popular henna heads.. Technically extensions but less damaging compared to a traditional extension

I saw her modelling one on her site with a before after. It looks amazing.