There are several different types of hair extensions on the market, including tape-in and clip-in varieties. However, we believe hand-tied hair extensions are among the best extensions available. These are applied exactly as their name implies – the stylist takes the time to anchor each weft by hand to beads applied to the existing hairs on your head, often in a location right under the crown. What makes them better? We’ll explore all of the reasons here.
Hand Tied Extensions vs Tape-In
Tape-in extensions might be a bit less expensive than the hand-tied variety, but the difference in quality is noteworthy. With hand-tied extensions, each piece, or weft, of hair is smaller, so the results look much more natural. Tape-in extensions might be faster to apply, but they come in larger sections, so you either need to use a lot of them, lining the middle section of the crown of your head with segments, or you must have a lot of natural hair to blend with them. Of course, few people get hair extensions because they have a lot of hair, making the hand-tied kind the clear winner.
The overall cost of hand-tied extensions is worth it, simply because of the time that it takes to have them applied. Your stylist will start by separating your hair into smaller sections before applying small silicone beads to each segment. The extensions are then sewn to the beads using a method that locks them in place. Since the size of the wefts is much smaller, the results look natural and can be styled as usual, as long as you’re careful about not damaging the beads. In addition, those extensions can be dyed to match your hair, and they come in a number of lengths, allowing you to get a customized result, as well as a lot more hair.
Caring for Hand Tied Extensions
Are you worried about things like hand-tied extensions and working out? Don’t be. Your extensions can be treated as though they are your own hair. Use your regular shampoo and conditioner – just be sure that the conditioner is the leave-in variety. The extensions won’t receive any of the health benefits, including vitamins and minerals, of your natural hair, so they need to be properly conditioned. Other than that, you can style your hair, extensions and all, like you usually would. This means that if you go to the gym, you can just put your hair in a ponytail. You’ll have a bit more of it, but that’s the entire point.
As far as longevity is concerned, you’ll have to go to the salon every six to eight weeks to have the beads moved back up to your scalp. This adjusts the position of the extensions, keeping them tight and where they need to be. At that time, your natural hair can be cut and colored as usual to ensure that the extensions blend in properly. If you take good care of your hand-tied extensions, they should last you for about a year.
Are You Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re ready to get extensions put in your hair, do a quick search for “hand-tied extensions near me” in order to find a local stylist. You’ll be thrilled with the results of your new, thicker hair.
