There are countless types of hair extensions and a variety of ways to install them! With so many different installation methods, how do you decide which one is best for you? The right install can lead to increased hair growth, thickness, and overall better hair health, but the wrong install can result in hair loss, damage, and breakage.
Lucky for you, there’s no need to worry! We’ve explored three common installation methods to help you maintain healthy hair with your next hairstyle.
Quick-Weaves
Quick-weaves are the less expensive and less time-consuming option to sew-ins. Only a few supplies are required to complete this installation, but glue is the most important supply that makes it quick and easy.
Hair bond glue is used to glue the tracks onto the hair. You can use either Human Hair or a Synthetic blend, but quick-weaves are called quick for a reason. They do not last long and potentially threaten your hair because of the installation process.
Without using the proper bond or protective shield, the glue can seep through to your natural hair and cause breakage underneath the cap where the tracks are glued.
To prevent this breakage, you must be sure to use a protective shield such as Robert’s Diamond Bond protective shield. On the damage scale, I would rate quick-weaves a 7/10 when done incorrectly without the shield and a 4/10 when done with the shield.
Sew-Ins
Sew-Ins are a great option for a more natural and flatter look. They also require your hair to be cornrowed into a certain pattern so the person installing the hair tracks can strategically lay them across your head and sew them in with a needle and thread. If you get a sew-in, there are a couple of options:
Closure Sew-In
- Less damaging
- Closes the area that would have been left out with lace
- Mimics a natural scalp; some stylists call this the “fake scalp method”
- On the damage scale, I would rate a closure 3/10