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Extension Installation Methods Extensions, Wigs, and the Options You Have

HISTORY

Christina Jenkins invented the hair weaving process in the nineteen fifties. She received a patent in 1951 for this process of hair weaving. Although people were wearing wigs and hair pieces for thousands of years, Christina came up with the weaving idea. 4 May 1951, filing patent number 2,621,663 for the ‘Permanently attaching commercial hair to live hair’ technique she called, according to the registration documents, the ‘Hair-Weeve’.

Before she invented the idea to sew the weave onto the hair, people were putting the weave on with hair pins placed on the scalp. How Sway? The patent describes her method as ‘interweaving strands of live hair and strands of commercial hair, with cord-like material to permanently join the strands thereto…’ Jenkins was granted the patent in 1952, though litigation saw it challenged and overturned in 1965.

Patent in hand, Jenkins and her husband moved to Ohio where Christina began to teach her Hair-Weeve technique to other cosmetologists and stylists, travelling across Europe teaching her innovative method.

THE INFLUENCE

Christina Jenkins is recognized as a pioneer of cosmetology. Her game changing technique has brought much attraction to wearing extensions. Initially, wearing weaves were to add volume, length or fullness. This may still be the case for some, but for the natural hair community it is serving as a protective style. There are countless testimonies on the amount of hair growth a person can achieve in 60 days.

70 years after the creation of hair weaving, we are in an era of glamour and beauty across the globe. There are now options for people with all hair types and densities. Once before, options were limited, causing some more harm than assistance. Professionals have done their part to continue education and perfecting their craft. That is how we now have multiple methods of application.

METHODS OF APPLICATION

Sew In

Weave hair is applied by braiding the natural hair into cornrows first, then using a needle and thread to sew the weave into the braid or cornrow. Weave hair extensions are predominantly used for people with thicker hair because of the way they are applied. Generally speaking, the weave application is a very long process (usually several hours.) The tight application method often puts a strain on the scalp and can feel very heavy or uncomfortable, which is also why it doesn’t work well with thin or lighter hair. Thankfully, beaded sew ins are available. This application allows a stylist to add a few wefts instead of multiple bundles. This style can last two-three months.

Microlink/Beaded

Microlink hair extensions are also known as micro bead hair extensions or micro loop hair extensions. These are applied by attaching tiny wefts of hair to small sections of the natural hair with a small silicone-lined bead. Then, a special tool is used to secure the bead to the hair and tightened to hold it in place. Although this method does not use heat or glue, if not installed correctly by a professional, microlink hair extensions can be damaging on the hair. The bead may be tightened too much, causing pressure and pulling at the roots, and if not removed properly, the hair can be pulled out. This method takes approximately 2 – 4 hours to apply.

I-Tip or I-Link, microbead extensions use tiny beads to attach extensions to the natural hair. The beads are then crimped down to hold the hair in place after the bead is threaded on to the hair near the scalp area. Microbead extensions require consistent touch ups, but can last anywhere from three to six months depending on the extension quality and care routine.

They have some of the same durability benefits that fusion extensions offer, without needing glue or heat to attach them.

Wigs

Wigs and hair pieces come in different forms and are applied to hair topically. Wigs act as a replacement for your own hair and are meant to cover your entire head. Wigs can be used for many reasons such as hair loss, balding, or simply to change up your look.

Hair pieces are a little different and often come in the shape of a bun, ponytail, or hair tie so you can just place it on top of your own hair. Hair pieces can be used if a specific area of your head is thinning and you need to place hair on top of this section, or they can simply be used to create a different hairstyle, such as a super long, super short, or a completely different texture than your natural hair.

Some of you may not even think of wigs as an extension type, but they certainly are. The purpose of extensions is to transform your hairstyle, protect your hair, and add some density and volume to your look. Of course, you can use wigs to simply change your style and try something new without cutting or dyeing your natural strands.

Tape In

It’s a hair fusion method, which uses small pieces of adhesive tape that connect to your hair. Each small strand has a piece of double tape on the top. One of the best things about tape-in extension strands is that they’re invisible and impossible to detect if. The tape is see-through and small which makes tape-in a great option.

Keratin Tape In

Keratin Strip Extensions are tape extensions made with a medical grade adhesive strip. Two strips are placed on both sides of a slender section of hair and are fused together using low heat to create a sealed bond.

Clip In

Clip-in hair extensions are a type of attachment method consisting of clips and multiple wefts. You get different sized wefts of hair, ranging from two, three, or four clips. That way you can combine them to fit in with your natural strands perfectly.

If you are a beginner when it comes to extensions, clip-ins are a great place to start. Whether you want the locks to be longer or be fuller, clip-ins can help you achieve that. Clips are simply a perfect way to make your look more stylish and trendier. They are suitable for everyday use because you easily attach and remove them but are also work great for special occasions like parties, weddings, fancy dinners, and even business meetings. If installed correctly, the clips will not show. Cannot be left in for extended periods as the clips cause hair breakage. Again, do not sleep with them in.

We recommend that you use wefts on medium or longer hairstyles because your natural strands need to cover up the clips. This is also one of the safest methods for transforming your hairstyle because it will not do any harm to your real strands. You have the option to try out different colors, create highlights, and even do an ombre look.

Now that you know the options you have, give one of them a try. Transform your look while growing your hair to it's desired length. Personally, my go to style is my handy, dandy wig. It gives me a chance to experiment with my look daily. My Tamed Mane has plenty of options for you as well.

Credits:

Created with images by face_reader_img - "Headshot of young black afro female model, having nude make-up, with dark long hair over beige background." • Beauty Agent Studio - "Young African women portrait. Beautiful fashion model with wavy hair and natural make up isolated on white"