The Best Hair Extensions for Thin Hair

Micro Links

If you want a more permanent extension for fine hair, micro links are a great alternative to halo extensions.

Previously known as fusion hair extension, micro links are strands of artificial hair that you apply strand by strand on your natural hair. Some people also call this type of hair extension micro rings or microbeads as they are attached to the hair through tiny silicone beads.

Unlike most hair extensions, it doesn’t use glue or requires heat. You just pick a small hair strand then clamp the silicon bead to lock it in place. Since it doesn’t involve too much tugging or hair pulling, the damage to your hair is minimal. Though the silicon beads tend to weigh down on the hair over time which may cause some hair fall. The installation process can also be very consuming. But with proper care, micro links can last about two months.

Tape-In Hair Extensions

Tape-in hair extensions are loved by many. As the name implies, tape-in hair extensions are attached to your natural hair with a special type of tape. The installation process involves sandwiching a section of your hair between two extensions then taping them together.

Because they’re installed in small batches, tape-in extensions are usually lightweight. This makes them easily wearable and not that damaging to thin or fine hair. This type of hair extension also uses cosmetic-grade adhesives. Meaning, they are less likely to cause hair damage. Though most hairstylists still recommend using special shampoo and conditioner with less oil and harmful ingredients. 

These extensions are usually semi-permanent, meaning they can last around four to eight weeks before you have to replace them.

Hair Extensions to Avoid if You Have Thin Hair

Clip-In Hair Extensions

Many sites recommend clip-in hair extensions for thin hair. But we beg to differ. 

You see, even if clip-in hair extensions do not use glue or any chemical, they can still cause significant damage to your hair. If you’re not familiar with this clip-in extensions, it’s clipped into the hair using a special type of hair clip. These clips are attached at the roots. Thus, they tend to pull down on your hair making it prone to hair fall and breakage, especially for thin hair. Sometimes, hairs also get caught in between the clips. So removing it also tends to pull the hair out.

Keratin Bonds

Another type of hair extension that people with fine hair should are keratin bonds. Keratin bonded hair extensions are applied with tiny unprocessed strands of human hair that contain keratin bonds. Hairstylists heat this hair extension onto your hair to melt the keratin protein and affix the strands onto your hair.

Since it’s glued to your natural hair, the adhesive tends to dry out the roots over time. Keratin bonds also tend to tangle if you don’t braid or put it up in a ponytail when you’re sleeping. As you can imagine, untangling it requires lots of hair pulling which can further decimate your already thin hair.

Weave Extensions

Weave extensions are an ultimate no-no for people with very fine hair. As the name suggests, this involves weaving or sewing the extension into your natural hair. Obviously, the installation process involves a lot of hair tugging and pulling. Plus, the hair extension has to be tightly sewn into the roots of your hair so it won’t move out of place or be easily pulled out. This, in turn, pulls the hair from the roots causing hair fall and breakage.

How to Choose the Best Hair Extensions

Now that you know which hair extensions to go for and which to avoid, the next thing you need to do is choose the best hair extension for you. With so many brands of hair extensions on the market, choosing the one that best works for you can be a challenge. To help you out, here are the factors you should consider when choosing a hair extension:

Hair Length

Getting hair extensions means you want to add volume and length to your hair. To do this, you will have to pick a hair extension with a length longer than the one you have right now. Choosing a longer hair extension will make it easier for you to make adjustments if you need to. Trimming hair extensions is easier than trying to make short ones fit your hair length. 

Hair Color

Most people wear extensions to make their hair appear naturally longer and thicker. The operative word here is “naturally”. Meaning, the extensions should be as less obvious as possible. So make sure to get a hair extension with a color closest to your current hair color. If you have trouble finding the perfect match, settle for something a little bit lighter. Lighter hair color more easily blends into your natural hair than a darker one. For instance, if you have dark brown hair, a light brown extension won’t be that obvious compared to a black hair extension.

Maintenance

Different hair extensions require different types of maintenance. For instance, tape-in extensions require more work as you will have to remove them every night to prevent damage. While micro links only need to be replaced every six months or so. Hair extensions require a certain level of commitment, so make sure that you will be able to do the proper protocols you need to do to make sure that your hair is being well taken care of when you get them.

Hairstyling is one of the best ways to express your style. There are several techniques that you can follow to help amp up your look. For people with fine or thin hair who want a more sophisticated and bold look, hair extensions are the way to go.

By getting your hair done the proper way, you can quickly achieve the perfect look that you are craving to get. There are different hair extensions for thin hair that you can choose from, many factors when choosing. Ensure that you select the best hairstyle that meets your standards and no one else’s because the only style opinion that matters is yours.