NataLana © 2010
Hair Extensions by Natalana. Mobile in South Wales and South West England
There are many types of hair extensions and even more techniques to attach them. In this article, we will try and help you understand the following techniques:
Loose
Weft
Pre-bonded
Tape
There are four main types of hair extensions available in the market. First, they can be loose. Hair is cut from a donor and then processed in the factory and sold in bulk. Second, a weft, also called a weave, is a long strip of hair which is sewed together on top. These wefts are approximately one metre long, depending on the quantity of hair. Next, hair extensions can be sold in strands. These hair extensions are also called pre-bonded or pre-tipped as they have keratin glue on the tips. Finally, there are tape hair extensions, also known as skin wefts or skin weaves. These are extensions which are attached using transparent, double sided polyurethane tape.
Loose Hair Extensions
Loose hair comes in bulk. Extensions can be fitted either pre-bonding each strand or applying glue on the tip of the strand and attaching it to the clients hair. There are various ways of applying glue. Keratin glue can be sold as granules, glue-gun sticks or keratin tips. Granules are places in an electric keratin glue pot which melts them. A strand of hair is dipped in and then, while the glue is still liquid, the strand is attached to the clients hair. A stick is inserted into a glue-gun where gets melted, and then it is applied to the tip of the strand, after which it fitted to the clients hair. Finally, keratin tips are placed on the tip of the strand, after which it is melted and applied using hair extension connector. This method particularly effective when you want to control the thickness of each strand and if you want to mix several colours. This type of extensions can last from 3-6 months, depending on how fast your own hair grows.
Weft (Weave) hair extensions
As described earlier weft hair extensions comprise a long strip of hair which is sewed together using a machine (see photo below). There are various ways to fit the wefts on the scalp.
The first method is sewing. First, the clients hair is braided, making either one spiral cornrow, which covers the whole head, or several straight ones which match the layering. After this has been done, the wefts are simply sewed into these cornrows. This type of extension is quick to perform and can last up to 3 months. However, it is best to have your hair re-done every month, as the cornrows become loose after a while.
**Please note that in the photo a mannequin head is used**
Another way of attaching hair extensions is to use liquid glue. It is simply applied to the sewed part of the weft and then fitted on the clients hair. This method is good for getting fast results and can last up to three weeks. However, many people are allergic to this glue, which can cause thrush on the scalp.
**Please note that in the photo a mannequin head is used**
Micro rings, also called loops, are small rings made of plastic and silicone. This is another way to attach hair wefts.
http://www.natalana.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/micro_rings1-300x225.jpg
A weft is located on a divided section of the clients hair. Two strands (one from the scalp and another from the weft) are joined and pulled through a micro ring, which is then flattened. This way the weft is attached by fitting together several strands both from the weft and the scalp. The photo below shows three main steps of the process. The colour of the micro rings is light only for demonstration reasons. Normally, similar hair colour micro rings are applied.
**Please note that in the photo a mannequin head is used**
Applying weft hair extensions with bonds is a similar process to the micro rings. There is only one difference strands from a scalp and a weft are attached to each other using keratin glue.
**Please note that in the photo a mannequin head is used**
Clip-in extensions, also called clip-on extensions, are wefts which have sewed in clips. Clip-in extension is a temporary solution, since they are fitted in the morning and should be removed in the evening. This method is good for those people who dont want to wear hair extensions every day. However, it may not look good on every person, since it requires some knowledge what colour and texture to buy, and how to match the existing hair cut.
Pre-bonded Hair Extensions
Pre-bonded hair extensions, also called pre-tipped, are hair extensions with keratin glue bond on a tip. Bonds can be in three main forms I or stick tip, U-tip and flat tip.
Hot fusion hair extensions are attached using a special hair connector which melts the keratin bond. A small section of a clients hair is taken and laid on a bond. Either U-tip, (also called Nail-tip) or flat-tip pre-bonded extensions are used. While the clients hair and a bond is held in position, the hair connector is used to melt the bond to the clients hair. Before the bond hardens, the glue is formed into either a cylindrical or flat shape and the extension is attached to the hair.
**Please note that in the photo a mannequin head is used**
The same process can use ultrasonic or infrared connectors, which melt the bonds without the use of heat. This process is called Cold Fusion. NataLana provide both hot and cold fusion hair extensions. Micro rings, as described above, are small rings made of plastic and silicone. I-tip extensions are used for this method. The clients hair is put through a micro ring after which a pre-bonded I-tip is positioned into it. Then firm pressure is applied on the area of the micro ring, using pliers. The micro ring holds together the section of the human hair and a strand of the hair extensions.
**Please note that in the photo a mannequin head is used**
Tape Hair Extensions
Tape Hair extensions, also called skin weft, is another relatively new technique. It is a weft where the hair is held together by double transparent sided polyurethane tape. One piece of the tape is torn off and the weft is applied the scalp. The weft and the attached hair is pulled upwards and another weft is attached underneath. That way the clients hair section is surrounded by two wefts.
**Please note that in the photo a mannequin head is used**
NataLana © 2010
Hair Extensions by Natalana. Mobile in South Wales and South West England
Hair Extensions by Natalana. Mobile in South Wales and South West England
There are many types of hair extensions and even more techniques to attach them. In this article, we will try and help you understand the following techniques:
Loose
BondsWeft
- Sewed in
- Liquid glue
- Micro-rings
- Bonds
- Clip-in
Pre-bonded
- Bonds (types of bonds)
- Hot fusion
- Cold fusion
- Micro-rings
Tape
There are four main types of hair extensions available in the market. First, they can be loose. Hair is cut from a donor and then processed in the factory and sold in bulk. Second, a weft, also called a weave, is a long strip of hair which is sewed together on top. These wefts are approximately one metre long, depending on the quantity of hair. Next, hair extensions can be sold in strands. These hair extensions are also called pre-bonded or pre-tipped as they have keratin glue on the tips. Finally, there are tape hair extensions, also known as skin wefts or skin weaves. These are extensions which are attached using transparent, double sided polyurethane tape.
Loose Hair Extensions
Loose hair comes in bulk. Extensions can be fitted either pre-bonding each strand or applying glue on the tip of the strand and attaching it to the clients hair. There are various ways of applying glue. Keratin glue can be sold as granules, glue-gun sticks or keratin tips. Granules are places in an electric keratin glue pot which melts them. A strand of hair is dipped in and then, while the glue is still liquid, the strand is attached to the clients hair. A stick is inserted into a glue-gun where gets melted, and then it is applied to the tip of the strand, after which it fitted to the clients hair. Finally, keratin tips are placed on the tip of the strand, after which it is melted and applied using hair extension connector. This method particularly effective when you want to control the thickness of each strand and if you want to mix several colours. This type of extensions can last from 3-6 months, depending on how fast your own hair grows.
Weft (Weave) hair extensions
As described earlier weft hair extensions comprise a long strip of hair which is sewed together using a machine (see photo below). There are various ways to fit the wefts on the scalp.
The first method is sewing. First, the clients hair is braided, making either one spiral cornrow, which covers the whole head, or several straight ones which match the layering. After this has been done, the wefts are simply sewed into these cornrows. This type of extension is quick to perform and can last up to 3 months. However, it is best to have your hair re-done every month, as the cornrows become loose after a while.
**Please note that in the photo a mannequin head is used**
Another way of attaching hair extensions is to use liquid glue. It is simply applied to the sewed part of the weft and then fitted on the clients hair. This method is good for getting fast results and can last up to three weeks. However, many people are allergic to this glue, which can cause thrush on the scalp.
**Please note that in the photo a mannequin head is used**
Micro rings, also called loops, are small rings made of plastic and silicone. This is another way to attach hair wefts.
http://www.natalana.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/micro_rings1-300x225.jpg
A weft is located on a divided section of the clients hair. Two strands (one from the scalp and another from the weft) are joined and pulled through a micro ring, which is then flattened. This way the weft is attached by fitting together several strands both from the weft and the scalp. The photo below shows three main steps of the process. The colour of the micro rings is light only for demonstration reasons. Normally, similar hair colour micro rings are applied.
**Please note that in the photo a mannequin head is used**
Applying weft hair extensions with bonds is a similar process to the micro rings. There is only one difference strands from a scalp and a weft are attached to each other using keratin glue.
**Please note that in the photo a mannequin head is used**
Clip-in extensions, also called clip-on extensions, are wefts which have sewed in clips. Clip-in extension is a temporary solution, since they are fitted in the morning and should be removed in the evening. This method is good for those people who dont want to wear hair extensions every day. However, it may not look good on every person, since it requires some knowledge what colour and texture to buy, and how to match the existing hair cut.
Pre-bonded Hair Extensions
Pre-bonded hair extensions, also called pre-tipped, are hair extensions with keratin glue bond on a tip. Bonds can be in three main forms I or stick tip, U-tip and flat tip.
Hot fusion hair extensions are attached using a special hair connector which melts the keratin bond. A small section of a clients hair is taken and laid on a bond. Either U-tip, (also called Nail-tip) or flat-tip pre-bonded extensions are used. While the clients hair and a bond is held in position, the hair connector is used to melt the bond to the clients hair. Before the bond hardens, the glue is formed into either a cylindrical or flat shape and the extension is attached to the hair.
**Please note that in the photo a mannequin head is used**
The same process can use ultrasonic or infrared connectors, which melt the bonds without the use of heat. This process is called Cold Fusion. NataLana provide both hot and cold fusion hair extensions. Micro rings, as described above, are small rings made of plastic and silicone. I-tip extensions are used for this method. The clients hair is put through a micro ring after which a pre-bonded I-tip is positioned into it. Then firm pressure is applied on the area of the micro ring, using pliers. The micro ring holds together the section of the human hair and a strand of the hair extensions.
**Please note that in the photo a mannequin head is used**
Tape Hair Extensions
Tape Hair extensions, also called skin weft, is another relatively new technique. It is a weft where the hair is held together by double transparent sided polyurethane tape. One piece of the tape is torn off and the weft is applied the scalp. The weft and the attached hair is pulled upwards and another weft is attached underneath. That way the clients hair section is surrounded by two wefts.
**Please note that in the photo a mannequin head is used**
NataLana © 2010
Hair Extensions by Natalana. Mobile in South Wales and South West England
