Hair extensions come in many techniques – from permanent methods that are sewn in, taped or bonded with keratin, to removable hairpieces you put in and take out yourself. Which hair extension method suits you best depends on how thick your own hair is, how long you want the attachment to last and how much time you want to spend on maintenance.
Permanent methods that last for several months
Permanent methods are installed in the salon and stay in around the clock until it is time for a move-up. A sew-in (weft hair) is attached by sewing a weft onto a cornrow close to the head – with no glue or heat, which makes it one of the gentlest methods for fine to thick hair. Micro weft and butterfly weft are instead attached with small micro rings close to the scalp, with no sewing, glue or heat. Micro weft works best in normal to thick hair, while butterfly weft has an extra-thin attachment that makes it a better choice if you have fine hair or a sensitive scalp.
Tape-in extensions are attached in a sandwich layer around your own hair and lie flat against the head, which makes the method discreet even in fine hair – however, they need re-taping roughly every eight to ten weeks. Nail hair (keratin extensions/bonding) is attached strand by strand with a keratin tip that is melted on with heat. It is the longest-lasting and most freely moving of our methods, but it requires healthy hair of your own and more time in the chair.
Braid-based methods and weaves
Braid-based techniques protect your own hair by braiding it down before the extensions are attached. A full weave with leave out gives maximum length and volume while a section of your own hair is left out at the top for a natural parting. A weave with a closure or frontal instead covers the whole head and is finished with a lace piece on top, fully protecting all your own hair and giving an invisible hairline.
Braids – box braids, knotless braids, cornrows and twists – are hair extensions where the extension hair is braided into your own hair and stays in as a hairstyle for several weeks. Crochet builds on the same base but is quicker to install, as ready-made strands are hooked into already braided cornrows with a crochet hook.
Removable hairpieces you put in yourself
If you would rather skip salon visits, there are methods you control entirely yourself. A clip-on set clicks in within minutes and comes out in the evening. The halo hairband sits on an invisible wire over the head, with or without small clips, and a ponytail wraps around a ready-made ponytail for instant length. What all three have in common is that they put hardly any strain on the hair – the trade-off is that they do not stay in overnight or during workouts.
Solutions for thinning hair and hair loss
With hair loss and very thin hair, regular hair extensions are rarely enough. A hair topper is a smaller hairpiece that covers the top of the head, where hair usually thins the most, while a wig covers the whole head and gives complete freedom no matter how much of your own hair remains. Mesh integration is somewhere in between: a thin net is attached to the scalp and extension hair is sewn onto the net without putting any tension on your own hair strands.
Which hair extension method should you choose?
If you have fine hair, a sew-in, tape-in extensions or butterfly weft work best – a sew-in spreads the weight along the whole cornrow, and tape and butterfly weft have small attachments that lie flat. If you have normal to thick hair, you can choose freely between sew-in, micro weft, nail hair and weave. If you want maximum flexibility with no commitment, clip-on, halo hairband or ponytail is the way to go, and if you live with hair loss, a hair topper, wig or mesh integration are the safest options.
Whatever the method, the hair quality determines the result. Real remy hair keeps the cuticles aligned in the same direction, so the hair stays soft, tangles less and can be coloured and heat-styled just like your own. If you are unsure which method suits your hair, we are happy to help you choose at a free consultation.