Fusion Hair Extensions:
Facts & Fallacies |
| Karen Marie Shelton - Copyright - All
Rights Reserved |
| Revised: 04/05/10 |
Introduction
Hair extensions have exploded in popularity over the
past ten years since I wrote my first hair extension
article.
Along the way I have received literally
thousands of emails filled with questions about hair
extensions that were based on both fact and fallacy.
I have also spent a lot of time talking with celebrity
hairdresser Barbara Lhotan who has worked for hair
extensions for many years and took some of the very
initial Great Lengths hair extension training.
Barbara continues to utilize Great Lengths systems even
many years later due to her appreciation of the quality
and consistency of the hair and tools offered by Great
Lengths
There are a long list of competitors in the professional
hair extension market to the Great Lengths systems.
Some of the competitors are excellent, some may not be
as superior. Keep in mind that the ultimate
concern with any professional hair extension application
is the skill, expertise and experience of the hair
extension pro providing the extension services.
There is also a dizzying array of add-on hair providers
in the hair extension market. However, there is no
question that Great Lengths has been a pioneer and is
still a leader in the professional hair extension
industry.
Great Lengths offers exceptional training in both hot
and cold fusion methodologies to licensed hair
professional. The revolutionary company is always
leading with new and improved hair extension
technologies.
Fusion Hair Extension Variables
There are many variables to hair extensions
which include:
1. Type of hair added - human, synthetic or mixed
2. Origin of hair - European or Oriental or other
3. Method of attachment - traditional glue based
fusion, tape, tubes, beads, string, thread or combo.
4. Placement by licensed hair professional or by Do-It-Yourselfers
(DIY) at home
5. Proper care aftercare methods and use of
recommended hair extension wet line products
6. Longevity of extensions
7. Wear and tear on natural hair
8. Methods of removal of extensions
With every single hair extension variable there are
rampant facts and fallacies.
Who is right and who
is wrong? There is no easy answer since a lot of
beliefs are based in personal bias.
Fusion Hair Extension Facts
Not everyone will agree with my opinions but they are
based on years of studying the fusion hair industry,
working with hair extension pros and actually assisting
in the installation of extensions.
Listed below
are the fusion hair extension facts that I believe to be
reliable and true.
1. Fusion Hair Extensions are the most popular
form of hair extension.
While fusion hair extensions are extremely popular with
the majority of hair extension wearers, it is debatable
whether they are indeed the most popular of all types of
hair extensions.
Fusion hair extensions tend to be more widely
recognizable than lesser type of extensions such as
tape, tubes or beads. While sew-in weaves are
popular with some ethnicities, due to the fusion
promoting marketing machines of well-known hair
extension "systems", the general hair consumer is more
aware of fusion.
2. Fusion Hair Extensions - Hot or Cold?
The original form of fusion hair extension was what is
known as "hot" and involved a form of glue, wax or
similar that was fused to the base hair with a hot
fusion tool.
Cold fusion was introduced as an alternative to hot
fusion with the idea that cold fusion is a kinder,
gentler form of fusing extension hair to base hair.
Depending on which hair extension expert you speak to,
there are a vast number of opinions about which type of
fusion is best.
3. Fusing Hair Is Installed Only By Individual
Strands
Extension hair can be fused either strand by strand or
in full wefts.
Fusion Hair Extension Fallacies
Not everyone will agree with my opinions but they are
based on years of studying the fusion hair industry,
working with hair extension pros and actually assisting
in the installation of extensions.
Listed below
are the fusion hair extension facts that I believe to be
reliable and true.
1. Fusion Hair Extensions are the most popular
form of hair extension because they last the longest.
Although fusion hair extensions, with proper
installation and maintenance may last up to three
months, other types of extensions may also last as long,
if not longer than fusion.
There are many
variables which determine the amount of time any type of
extensions will survive.
These variables include, but are not limited to:
-
How fast natural hair grows
-
Whether the installed hair slips
or falls out
-
If the extension hair is brushed
and combed on a daily basis to eliminate natural fallen strands
which can cause major tangling
Hair Extensions that are sewn in may actually last
longer than fusion, especially if they are tightened
during the wearing of the hair. Hand sewn
extensions or extensions applied one strand at a time
may last the longest of all types of hair extensions.
Of course the longer it takes the professional to apply
the extensions, the more expensive the final cost.
2. The Glue Used in Fusion Hair Extensions Make
Extensions Feel Artificial, Tight And Stiff
Although the minority of first time hair extension
wearers may find the glue to feel stiff, compared to
other methods of hair extension attachment, fusion hair
wearers generally feel the glue is unnoticeable after
the first day or so after the installation.
When the fusion hair is pre-tipped with the proper
amount of glue, the extension bonds are not easily
visible and allow the hair to move freely.
3. Fusion Hair Extensions Are The Most
Expensive Type Of Extensions
A lot of factors come into play regarding the final cost
of all types of extensions.
The primary cost of
any type of extensions, fusion or other, is the
extension hair used and the amount of time required to
attach the hair. Therefore, to say that fusion
hair extensions are the most expensive without
addressing the type of hair used and the amount of time
required is a fallacy.
Fusion hair extensions, both hot and cold, may or may
not be the most expensive type of hair extensions
available.
This is an ongoing fallacy. In some cases when
add-on hair is hand tied or hand sewn into pre-set
braided tracks placed in the hair, the amount of time to
complete this process may take much longer than fusion
style extending.
4. Fusion Hair Extensions Last The Longest
Regardless of the method of fusion hair application,
this may or may not be true due again to a number of
variable. Although some hair extension experts may
claim that fusion hair can remain securely in place for
up to six months, this would be the exception rather
than the rule due to a number of factors including how
fast the natural hair grows, how secure the glue or
bonding material is and whether or not the bonds were
properly applied during the initial application.
While some hair extension experts will offer low or no
cost ongoing repair and maintenance to help stretch the
original fusion application as long as possible, six
months is still the exception rather than the rule.
In most cases fusion extensions, depending on a variety
of factors, will last 3-4 months. If you decide to
go to a professional hairdresser for your hair extension
application and they make promises of their fusion
systems lasting more than 3-4 months, ask them for a
written guarantee.
5. Fusion Hair Extensions Are The Best Long
Term Option
While it's true many hair consumers and professionals
prefer fusion style extensions to other methods, this is
not 100% true across the board.
Some professionals and consumers do prefer other methods
to the fusion style for a number of reasons which can
range from ease of application to potential damage to
the natural hair.
Although fans of fusion hair extensions claim that they
are the most indistinguishable from your natural hair,
this is not necessary the case when compared with hand
tied or sewn extension applications which can be
virtually invisible.
Although there has been a lot of buzz over fusion, hand
tied and sewn extensions have a much longer history than
either the original hot fusion.
Cold fusion was introduced after hot fusion and has both
pros and cons. With every type of hair extension
system or methodology the will always be those who love
it and those who don't.
6. Cold Fusion Hair Extensions Are The Least
Intrusive To Natural Hair
Cold fusion is a newer methodology utilized in glue
style fusing and was designed to be more gentle and less
damaging for the hair.
The cold fusion method utilizes a keratin-based polymer
to attach the hair to the actual root.
Cold fusion is more advantageous for fine or thinning
hair since it uses no heat and is considered less
intrusive. Cold fusion systems are designed to
offer more flexibility over the original hot glue
fusion.
Does it offer a more natural feeling bond? It
depends on the individual. Some swear by the cold
fusion over the hot and others feel there is little
difference.
Does cold fusion guarantee a longer life for the fusion
extensions?
Again this is an answer with many variable including the
expertise of the hair extension expert, the type and
quality of the hair utilized, the natural hair type,
texture and condition and the wearer's willingness to
maintain and care for their extensions once they have
been applied.
Summary
Hair extensions may be attached to your scalp in a
variety of ways. Each of the different methods of
adding on hair have advantages and disadvantages.
One of the more popular and common type of hair
extensions are the fusion method although there are many
other popular methods as well.
Fusion hair extensions may or may not be the best method to
select depending on the natural hair length, type, texture and
current condition. It also may depend on budgetary
requirements and your lifestyle demands which may or may not make
fusion a compatible method for you.
When applied properly either by a professional or a DIYer, with
high quality hair, fusion style extensions may provide a very
natural looking type of hair extension system.
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Original Publication
Date: 12/31/06 - Revised: 04/05/10
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