Every thing You Have to Know About Keratin Hair Extensions

Though I at present have comparatively lengthy, thick hair, I have been lacking the quantity and luster my hair as soon as had, which lead me to a brand new type of extensions: keratin hair extensions. And because it seems, they are not new in any respect—celeb stylists have been utilizing keratin hair extensions for years. Curious? Similar. That is why I tapped the specialists and located two celeb stylists who’ve been fastening keratin hair extensions on our favourite stressed-out celebrities for many years. Learn on to get the low-down on keratin hair extensions—and if I ended up taking the plunge.

What Are Keratin Hair Extensions?

“Keratin hair extensions are particular person strands of extensions which can be bonded to your hair with an adhesive or micro beads,” says Rita Hazan, celeb hair stylist, colorist, and proprietor of Rita Hazan Salon in New York. They’re usually made up of actual human hai that’s often processed for coloration. And whereas keratin hair extensions could have solely just lately entered the general public lexicon, the reality is, they’ve principally been round for eons.

The person extensions are strategically positioned in rows in order that they’ll at all times stay lined by your pure hair items. (Sure, even in the event you put on an elaborate updo or ponytail.)

Relying in your coloration and texture, some salons may have samples available the stylist can use for you same-day—however usually, salons will ask you to return in prior to allow them to order the precise sort of extension they will must match your hair.

Keratin Hair Extensions vs. Conventional Hair Extensions

Whereas there could also be tons of several types of hair extensions available on the market, keratin hair extensions are the one actual everlasting ones.

“The opposite everlasting ones was once silicone hair extensions, which, it seems, aren’t nice on your hair,” says Ryan Trygstad, celeb hairstylist and cofounder of Mark & Ryan Salon in New York. Now, keratin hair extensions are the go-to for film premieres and crimson carpets—they’re so widespread, in actual fact, that you simply most likely do not know your favourite celeb even has them on.

Like short-term varieties of extensions—together with tape-in extensions and clip-in extensions—you’ll be able to air dry, straighten, curl, and magnificence keratin hair extensions with warmth identical to you’d with your individual hair. (You need to positively keep away from letting them tangle, or “yanking” them, because the extensions are mounted in with bonds. However apart from that, you’ll be able to model them as per traditional.)

The Advantages of Keratin Hair Extensions

Keratin hair extensions are a star hairstylist go-to for a purpose.

“Keratin hair extensions are the lesser of all evil in your hair, and so they’re low-maintenance,” says Hazan. “They’re extraordinarily natural-looking when carried out appropriately and excellent for somebody who desires longer, thicker hair.”

Trygstad—whose celeb shoppers embrace Julianne Moore and Naomi Watts—says keratin hair extensions can “actually deliver your hair again from the useless.” Whether or not a consumer’s put their hair by means of the ringer or simply hasn’t been in a position to obtain the kind of model they need, keratin hair extensions work like magic.

“You possibly can create one thing this individual by no means would’ve been in a position to have earlier than, otherwise you get their hair again to the place it was earlier than they destroyed their hair,” he says.

The Drawbacks of Keratin Hair Extensions

In uncommon circumstances, keratin hair extensions can depart your hair worse off than it was earlier than.

“Keratin hair extensions can doubtlessly harm your hair,” Hazan says. “Significantly in the event you depart them in for too lengthy of a stretch of time, and in the event you by no means let your hair breathe and develop with out the heavy weight of lengthy extensions.”

They usually final round 3–5 months, relying on how properly you handle them. They could even start falling out or loosening, through which case it is perhaps time for a visit to the salon. (They might doubtlessly last more than that—Trygstad says “the slower your hair grows and the much less you do to it, the longer the extensions final.) It’s important to get them eliminated in a salon—stylists will use particular options to soak ’em, and instruments—so do not attempt by yourself.

In worst case eventualities, stress alopecia can occur, which is when your hair falls out after the elevated stress brought on by the extensions.

Who Is a Candidate for Keratin Hair Extensions?

Anybody. Since keratin hair extensions might be ultra-personalized and customised to match your particular, distinctive texture, they’ll work for any and all hair varieties. In fact, some individuals could need to keep away from them—extra on that later—however in any other case, it is a go.

“Extensions are available so many textures now to match any wave sample, which is how they give the impression of being so pure,” say Trygstad. “With dense hair, it’s possible you’ll want so as to add somewhat extra strands to match the feel, whereas with thinner hair texture, somewhat goes a great distance as a result of most individuals simply need size and somewhat little bit of thickness.”

That stated, Trygstad says you do want not less than 4 inches of hair to work with with a purpose to get them. They usually is probably not for you in the event you do not usually deal with your hair properly.

“For those who’re onerous in your hair, steer away,” says Trygstad. “For those who’re hurting your hair, you will damage the extensions, and simply trigger extra harm to your hair throughout.”

Though they’re low-maintenance, you continue to must preserve them from getting tangled and matted—which is why it is at all times a good suggestion to get a particular extension brush, like this one by Shen Magnificence. If it does not sound like one thing you need to decide to, it’s possible you’ll need to rethink.

The Value

Since keratin hair extensions are just about the best high quality extensions you will get, they positively do not run low-cost.

Relying on what your required result’s, they’ll price anyplace from $500 (a “half-head” for some added quantity and fullness) to $3,000 for a full head of extensions. (Typically, much more than that.)

Once more, it relies upon what you need, the place you go, and the way thick your pure texture is.

The Takeaway

Though I did not find yourself getting keratin extensions this time round, I am positively not ruling them out sooner or later—as a result of the older and extra broken my hair will get, the extra I will probably need to “deliver my hair again from the useless,” in Trygstad’s phrases.

There are some drawbacks, however general, keratin hair extensions are an unbelievable technique to get size, quantity, and fullness that you simply’d by no means be capable to obtain by yourself. (Irrespective of what number of thickening and lengthening shampoos you purchase—as a result of, belief me, I’ve tried all of them.) They’re comparatively protected, simple in your hair, and look extra pure than another varieties of extensions available on the market.

So in the event you’ve been wanting to offer your hair a lift—whether or not it is due to stress or boredom—keratin hair extensions is perhaps precisely what you are in search of. And your red-carpet faves would positively approve.