The good, bad and ugly side of hair extensions

When it comes to grooming and beauty, we go to great lengths to look our gorgeous best, right? Well, while embracing our natural beauty, especially our hair, we also eagerly look forward to hair trends that involve experimentation. One of them is hair extensions! But are hair extensions safe?

A lot of us wish to have long, strong, and thick hair. But because of what our hair experiences on a daily basis, it makes the journey harder. Yes, natural remedies can truly restore our hair’s health. But no one has the time to try such cures. That is why hair extensions are frequently sought after.

What is the hair extension method?

Hair extensions have become the newest addition to the realm of hair care and hairstyles. You have a plethora of options for hair extensions, including clip-on and keratin. However, if you’ve ever searched the internet for information about the world of hair extensions, you’ve probably come across a wave of unfavourable remarks that claim doing so will leave your hair damaged, broken, and incredibly thin. But you should be aware that it has good, bad, and ugly sides as well.

Health Shots got in touch with Dr Madhuri Pawar – Practicing Cosmetologist and Trichologist, I2CAN (Indian Institute of Cosmetology, Aesthetic and Nutrition), to find out everything about the hair extension method that many of you might be looking for.

Here’s everything that’s oh-so-good about hair extensions

First of all, not all hair extensions are equal and beneficial. They differ in type, quality, and, most importantly, the skill of the stylist. If applied incorrectly, even the best and safest extensions can damage your hair and scalp. Dr Pawar says, “Not everyone is born with perfectly long and thick hair. With hair extensions, they can get the hair of their dreams. It doesn’t just help in transforming a person’s looks; it can also boost their confidence and give them a more charming personality. And all this without surgery, pain, and downtime.”

Also, read: 4 women share the horrors of getting an eyelash extension

In addition, they are easy to manage and you can have an unlimited number of hairstyles. They are long lasting too.

But here are a few bad things about hair extensions to consider too!

If you don’t take care of your hair extensions properly, you will definitely experience damaged hair.

In fact, Dr Pawar says, “Although hair extension feels like a dream solution, there is a negative side to it as well. A good quality hair extension can be costly and may not be in the budget of most of the middle class people. Periodic maintenance of hair extensions is mandatory and is also quite costly. All in all, this is something which only selected people can afford.”

Yes, there’s also an ugly side to hair extensions

“Hair extension is tricky. If not done properly, it can damage existing hair and can also look very ugly and awkward. In most cases, the fault is with the clients, who fail to take care of their new hair after the extension is done. The new clip-in technique also has its own drawbacks. If clients accidentally use a swimming pool or sleep in them, it can come off and can put the user in a very embarrassing situation,” says Dr Pawar.

Takeaway

Clip-in extensions must be washed and gently dried with a towel after every 6 to 8 uses. If you use tape extensions, you’ll need to switch to a less abrasive, sulfate-free shampoo in order to prevent the glue from being harmed. The only additional maintenance required for wefts and microlinks is very careful combing and styling to prevent bond damage.

So, make a decision wisely!