03 / 28 / 14

Hair Extensions for Women: Just Fashion, or a Viable Hair Loss Treatment?

The short answer: hair extensions may be a viable hair loss option for certain women, depending on the type and severity of hair loss. Hair extensions are also a bold fashion statement. With hair extensions, you need not limit your active lifestyle in any way. You can swim, shower and exercise just as you always do. If you are struggling with female hair loss, you might consider that hair extensions are a fashionable hair loss treatment option that can curb the emotional and psychological effects of thinning hair.

Hair extensions are appropriate for women who have some hair to work with. We often hear the term “hair weave” thrown around in the media, on fashion websites, and on television. Put simply, a hair weave is synthetic or natural hair that is used to enhance a person’s natural, existing hair. Hair weaves help to make hair fuller by adding length and layers as well as to change a person’s hairstyle. Below you will find the basics concerning extensions. After reading the scoop on hair extensions as hair additions for hair loss, you can decide whether to explore this option for yourself.

Hair Extensions: Types of Hair Used

Remy hair. According to Lance Thorington, expert Ezine writer, Remy hair is a high quality and relatively expensive option. Remy hair possesses the cuticle, which allows the hair to flow in a natural way. The hair also lasts longer, is more durable, and more shiny than other types of hair. The quality that is most cherished in Remy hair is that the cuticles are all pointed in the same direction, which allows for the hair to sit straight without tangling. Many women prefer Remy hair because it can be treated in the same way as natural hair.

Natural Human Hair. Natural human hair extensions provide the ultimate in

Typically, 100% natural human hair for hair extensions is from the Temples of India. Hair extension manufacturers consider this to be the finest source of virgin hair available in the marketplace which is most compatible with Caucasian and European hair textures. Unlike synthetic hair extensions, natural human hair may be colored or styled in any way you wish — long or short hair, straight or curly hair, streaked or colored hair; it’s your choice. Hair removal is similarly easy and stress free.

Extension Bonding Techniques:

When applied and maintained properly by a trained hair loss professional, the application will not damage your hair. The skill level of the technician applying the hair extensions is crucial in order that the application not damage your existing hair. According to HairUWear, the manufacturer of Great Lengths Hair Extensions, “the key to a successful, damage free application lies in the details of the application. There is no “cookie cutter”, “one size fits all” application technique, as each client has different hair conditions and desired results that must be considered.”

Bonding techniques for hair extensions applied in hair replacement salons is almost always different than techniques used by regular hair salons, utilizing special polymers and bonding agents to minimize trauma to your existing hair.

Clip-ons.

According to Drs. Rassman and Bernstein, clip-on hair extensions are the least permanent type of hair extension with minimal upkeep for the wearer. This is also an option for women whose scalp is bothered by the effects of typical bonding and tracking application techniques. Clip-on extensions are about 1/4 inch thick and are placed just above the neck onto natural hair. Clip-ons can be worn all day, but must be removed before going to bed. Unfortunately, clip-on hair extensions can cause serious damage you remaining existing hair, so while clip-on hair extensions work as a casual fashion statement, they are not recommended as a solution to adding fullness to your hair if you are experiencing thinning hair or hair loss.

Parting Thoughts

Many women are overwhelmed by the vast array of hair extension options. If you are experiencing thinning hair or hair loss, and aren’t sure what to do, we encourage you to make an appointment with a reputable, qualified hair loss treatment provider in your area. You owe it to yourself to explore all the possible hair loss treatment options available to you and find the best options for you, based on your own individual hair loss condition.