Do Hair Extensions Damage Hair | Top 5 Least Damaging Extension Types (2024)

Not everyone was born with naturally long and thick hair but everyone sure does want to have it. And that’s where hair extensions come in - using them, you can add extra length and thickness to your hairstyle.

Here is a nice little roundup of hair extensions that don’t damage hair. Read on and feel free to experiment with your look!

Do Hair Extensions Damage Your Real Hair?

You have probably read articles or customer reviews where people talked about how hair extensions ruined their hair and how they have to spend a lot of time and effort to restore the hairstyle they used to have before hair extensions.

Sure, the hair extension procedure is not entirely harmless and does require following some basic safety and care tips. However, it is nowhere near the horror stories floating around the Internet.

Let’s go into detail and talk more about all the controversial points that are associated with hair extensions:

Hair extensions will look too different from my own hair

Well, this certainly might happen if you pick the wrong set of hair extensions for your type of hair. Here are the most popular varieties on the market now and what makes them different:

  • Virgin Slavic hair is premium quality natural undyed hair that’s suitable for all those with naturally thin and soft hair. If you are looking for the least damaging hair extensions for fine hair, this is exactly what you need! Slavic virgin hair is a premium quality material that will last long and provide the ultimate comfort. It is considered the healthiest hair extensions you can find on the market today.
  • Russian hair is slightly denser, colored hair. It is available in a wide variety of shades and textures: straight, curly, wavy, short, long, etc. With high quality and affordable prices, this hair is really popular among hair beauty professionals.
  • European hair is rather dense and long Asian Remy hair that’s been dyed using gentle EU-approved technologies. This hair is suitable only for women with naturally dense, coarse hair.

Hair extensions are too heavy to wear

Some people complain that hair extensions have weakened their follicles and even caused their own hair to fall out. Others reported having a headache after the extension procedure. Well, this is not entirely false as these things might happen.

  • To minimize discomfort, you should be very careful with the number of hair extensions you install. Whether it's keratin bond extensions, sew-ins, tape-ins, or any other type.
  • Do not use synthetic hair for your hair extensions. It is very heavy and can seriously weaken the roots or even lead to hair loss.

To learn more about the differences between natural and synthetic hair, be sure to read this article.

Hair extensions will be way too noticeable on my head

It all depends on the hair extension method you choose. For example, taped hair extensions are indeed more noticeable than keratin fusion extensions.

If you’d like to know which hair extensions are least damaging and least noticeable, try going with hand-tied wefts or keratin fusion bonds that match your natural hair in tone and color.

My hair will get dry, brittle, and damaged

This can only happen if you disregard the fact that your hair (and that includes extensions as well) actually requires regular care.

Here’s what we recommend:

  1. Choose a hypoallergenic shampoo that’s suitable for your hair type
  2. Do not rub your hair too hard while washing
  3. Avoid using oils (they can soften keratin bonds and tapes causing them to slip)
  4. Do not forget about proper hair nutrition and moisturizing, which should be applied all the way up starting from the shoulders
  5. Brush your hair gently, gradually moving from the tips to the roots

If you’d like to know more about proper hair care, be sure to read this article.

So, what does it all boil down to? If your hair extension stylist has large experience and the right qualifications, and you regularly visit them for reapplication procedures and take good care of your hair at home, then there is no reason to worry. Hair extensions won't ruin your hair in this case.

Top 5 Least Damaging Hair Extension Methods

Now, let’s talk about what type of extensions are least damaging. Here is a top-5 list we’ve put together for you ranking hair extensions method from the most to the least damaging.

5. Microbead/micro loop

Do Hair Extensions Damage Hair | Top 5 Least Damaging Extension Types (1)

If you are asking yourself “do microbead/micro loop extensions damage your hair?” the answer is yes.

In fact, this is the most unsafe hair extension method that can cause quite some damage! Here, the strands are attached with metal loops that make the styling heavier and weaken the roots often causing headaches if not installed properly.

Please choose some other non-damaging hair extension method!

4. Tape-in hair extensions

Do Hair Extensions Damage Hair | Top 5 Least Damaging Extension Types (2)

Do tape-in hair extensions cause the least damage? Well, it’s certainly not the safest extension method out there

Here, the extended strands are attached to your natural hair with tapes - one on top and one on the bottom. In the middle of this “sandwich” are your own strands.

The tape-in method is not suitable for people with naturally thin, soft hair, as well as those who are looking to get hair extensions that will blend seamlessly with their own hair and provide the ultimate comfort.

If you have fairly dense hair, the upside is that you can install tape-ins even by yourself.

3. Keratin Fusions

Do Hair Extensions Damage Hair | Top 5 Least Damaging Extension Types (3)

Fusion hair extensions are among the top three least damaging hair extensions for fine hair.

To get the most out of this method, make sure that your hair extension specialist uses micro bonds: they are almost invisible, very lightweight and easy to wear, and do not cause discomfort. Large keratin bonds, on the other hand, may cause discomfort if not installed properly.

Here’s a great article where we talked all about the advantages and disadvantages of hot fusion hair extensions.

2. Sew-in hair extensions

Do Hair Extensions Damage Hair | Top 5 Least Damaging Extension Types (4)

The sew-in method is one of the top methods of hair extensions that don’t damage hair. When we say “sew-in”, we mean hand-tied weft extensions: here, the raw materials are selected and sewn by hand, which enables the extension specialists to achieve really flawless results.

Among all the kinds of permanent hair extensions, this procedure is considered the safest: the strands are sewn into a tiny braid that’s done across the head.

1. Clip-ins

Do Hair Extensions Damage Hair | Top 5 Least Damaging Extension Types (5)

Clip-in hair extensions are officially the least damaging hair extensions! This is a temporary hair extension method, in which the extended strands are attached to the hair using small clips (hence, the name). You can wear clip-ins to an important event or anytime you feel like you want to change your look.

Since the clips are removed immediately after you return home, your natural hair will not be harmed in any way.

The only downside is that clip-ins are temporary and cannot be worn for extended periods of time. If you want to experiment with your look and plan to add some length to your hair for a long time, try hand-tied wefts or fusions.

SHOP HAIR EXTENSIONS >>

That’s it! We hope the information in this article was useful and now you have a better idea of how to keep your hair healthy and which hair extensions procedure is right for you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them in the comments and we will be happy to suggest the right hair extensions type and the most non-damaging hair extension method for your hair.

Do Hair Extensions Damage Hair | Top 5 Least Damaging Extension Types (2024)
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