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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think hair extensions won’t damage my hair...

33 replies

mrsp2009 · 28/12/2018 19:42

More of a wwyd I guess -

My hair is currently shoulder length-ish but thinner around the back due to breakage from bleaching a couple of months ago (which has since been dyed back to a dark brown)

I hate it at the back and so I’m considering the nano or micro ring hair extensions to thicken it out and add length- anyone have any experience of them? AIBU to think this would help disguise my think hair and give it a chance to grow long enough that I can have it cut to one length eventually?

Seen lots of lovely pictures online but also read something horror stories about how your natural hair ends up worse than before and you basically have to have them forever or put up with thinner hair / bald patches if you have them removed Confused
Other option I guess is to get some clip in ones and just use them when I’m out - in which case can anyone recommend some?

Thanks
(Sorry that was long Blush )

OP posts:
pJTop · 28/12/2018 19:45

Depends on the remaining damage! Hair extensions do damage the hair. I’m one who bleached roots once every 6 weeks but I just wouldn’t dare use extensions

Clip in hair is great but you can escape the clips with a Halo. Worth every penny, I’ve had two over the last 5-6 years. They’ve been dyed to my own hair colour

lavalampoon · 28/12/2018 19:47

After years of trying different ones, if anyone says that they offer extensions that don't damage the hair at all this really isn't correct. I lost a lot of hair from having extensions and after a few years it was a very ragged, short mess. I would recommend clip ins or hair pieces, there are so many good ones available nowadays and in a big variety of shades. Please don't be tempted to get extensions, you'll love them at first but then feel so sad when you see how thin your own hair has got and you can't keep using them any more to hide it, so you're stuck with hardly any hair left.

Original poster
mrsp2009 · 28/12/2018 19:52

@pjtop I hadn’t heard of those will just had a quick a look - do they stay on securely? I’d be worried about it pinging off!

OP posts:
Original poster
mrsp2009 · 28/12/2018 19:54

@lavalampoon yes this is what I was afraid of. I don’t want to spend the £400 I’ve been quoted and end up with worse hair than I already have. The fronts and side aren’t too bad it’s just the back - it looks like I have layers (but they’re not intentional!)

OP posts:
PrettyLovely1 · 28/12/2018 19:57

Tape ins are supposed to be kinder to your hair.

MumMumMum1 · 28/12/2018 20:03

My step mum had micro rings because she had really thinning hair, they have made her hair worse & now she has to have them but you can see the rings her hair is so thin. I wouldn’t do it! Have a hair treatment & let it repair itself!

BumbleBeee69 · 28/12/2018 20:04

I agree with everyone. I used to get a Weave in Glasgow, it was stunning, just 4 tracks to thicken and lengthen my super fine hair, after the a few months of adjustment/tightening I had it removed due to the pressure on my scalp, and I was left with my own fine wispy damaged hair. It looks incredible and beautiful but also left me bereft when faced with the reality of my own hair. I’d never do it again, much as I have been tempted, I’m trying to cherish my fine thin hair now. Clips in didn’t work for me as having fine thin hair you could see the clips sadly.

Good luck lovely

Ginkythefangedhellpigofdoom · 28/12/2018 20:05

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/1624158-HOLY-SHIT-My-hair-is-matted-at-the-roots-almost-all-over-my-head-Im-going-to-have-to-shave-it-off-arent-I

I just read this thread yesterday over on style and beauty about this very thing.

Iv never had any so can't comment personally.

DarthLipgloss · 28/12/2018 20:32

I've had extensions for the last 4 years. I have LA weave extensions and my own hair is fine when I've had them out.
I have had micro rings and bonds but felt they did damage my own hair and were harder to hide.

pJTop · 28/12/2018 20:54

My halos have gone nowhere, they sit perfectly and quite securely, I was so surprised

BMW6 · 28/12/2018 21:00

TBH I can't see how anything attached to your natural hair WOULDN'T damage it!

sabrinathethirtysomethingwitch · 28/12/2018 21:08

Love my halo. It is on a wire that sits across the top of your head and you use the pointy end of a comb to pull your own hair out on top of it. No one would ever know it isn't real. I have individual clip ins for upstyles and clip in ponytails also.

Laiste · 28/12/2018 21:28

My hair is fine and delicate. I had extensions for over a year (moved up or replaced every 5 weeks or so) and when i had them removed for good my hair was as long as the extensions i'd been having in and was not damaged at all.

I would say a lot of it depends on who's doing it, how many you have and how long/heavy they are compared to your own hair. Also - for that year i brushed my hair as if it was cobweb delicate, and never rubbed or scratched my scalp with nails or towels.

galaxy101 · 28/12/2018 21:31

Go to someone with a lot of experience. You need extensions that are the correct weight for your hair, if your hair is fine then micros will be too bulky for you, I'd say go with nano's because they're smaller and more discreet. If they're fitted correctly, are the correct weight and you attend maintenance appts and follow aftercare advice you'll be fine.

BumbleBeee69 · 28/12/2018 23:06

OP I hope you post a before and after images, I do love to see a fabulous transformation Grin

Binkyboi · 28/12/2018 23:18

I’ve had micro ring extensions for about the past 5 years, get them moved about every 14 weeks or so and have had no particular problems with them damaging my hair. I go to a very good salon though!

SierraSmythe · 29/12/2018 00:37

@sabrinathethirtysomethingwitch and @pJTop where do you get your halo extensions from? I was looking on Amazon but it would be great if you could recommend a specific brand or shop.

NameChange121 · 29/12/2018 00:41

A few extensions have thinned my natural hair. To the point I was reliant on them. Been free for a year (hard thing after 8 lol) and it has grew so much and got so much thicker! (Clip ins, micro loops)

IchWill · 30/12/2018 13:17

OP have you considered a U-Part wig?

Last year I bought a human hair full-wig in the same colour and length as my own hair. My hair wasn't getting any longer due to dyeing it blonde and hair straighteners.

So, I wore the wig for about six months, giving my hair a break from styling. People didn't realise it was a wig, but I did worry that the parting didn't look that realistic on closer inspection.

But I later learned about the U-Part Wigs. It's practically a full wig, but with a section open at the top, which you pull your hair through and blend into the wig, so only 5-10% of your hair shows and it looks natural due to the parting. See pic I found on internet that helps illustrate it.

To think hair extensions won’t damage my hair...
Notacluethisxmas · 30/12/2018 13:21

I have had all sorts of extensions over the years.

Clip ins really damaged my hair. Worse than all the others. I know wear tape ins. My hair is great. The pay it has where clips ins pulled the hair out have come back and my own hair looks lots better.

I never get cheap clip ins either. But the do pull and damage. I have also had bonded and micro ring. Wouldn't do those again either. Tape ins genuinely don't even feel like they are even there. My hair dresser uses Zen Tape ins.

XiCi · 30/12/2018 13:27

I've had hair extensions 4 times over the years. First time with bonds (not even sure they use these anymore, was 15yrs ago) and the other times they were weaved in. Did not experience any damage at all from any of them and my hair is fine and not particularly strong hair. Just make that you go to someone experienced and who has been recommended.

sabrinathethirtysomethingwitch · 30/12/2018 14:59

@SierraSmythe a local women makes them here. I'm not sure if you could order them online anyway because the wire length needs to be checked and it's best to be colour matched in person. I'm in Northern Ireland so that probably isn't much help to you. Could you ask your hairdresser do they know of anyone who makes them? Might be your best bet.

I know you can buy clip in halos online. But i think it would be much better for your hair to get one on the wire plus it will be much more natural looking. And easier to hide with your own hair.

sabrinathethirtysomethingwitch · 30/12/2018 15:01

Ps mine cost £160. I've had it two years. Wear it mostly for weddings and such. Worth every penny.

SierraSmythe · 30/12/2018 15:03

@sabrinathethirtysomethingwitch Thanks for replying Smile

BumbleBeee69 · 30/12/2018 15:45

IchWill that’s lovely

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