Do hair extensions ruin your own hair?

[TheOrinocoToolbox]

I've seen a few people lately with hair extensions put in at the side for extra volume, which look really good. My hair is fine (natural loose curls/waves) prone to breakage, and very quickly looks limp. I would like extra volume (possibly also length), but I'd worry hair extensions would make its condition much worse, and the weight might pull my existing hair out at the roots. I wondered if anyone else with fine, dry hair had had any success with extensions? Also, how high-maintenance are they generally in terms of washing/styling/brushing?
Any advice would be appreciated.

I loved how my extensions looked but they were so high maintenance. They were really good quality ones fitted by an award winning, highly recommended expert, and she assured me that they wouldn't pull any of my existing hair out (they were woven into my hair), but that when they were removed my hair would look thin purely because I was used to having thick looked by hair because of the extensions. I believed this and my hair looked very thin when they were taken out. 18 months on, when I section my hair to straighten it, there is a line of regrowth from where they did that breed pull my existing hair out at the roots. Definite evidence there.

Aargh. Thank you for the warning. That's exactly what I fear might happen. I'm glad to hear you at least have regrowth and not permanent loss. High maintenance really wouldn't suit me - I do an oil treatment on my hair once a week to moisturise it, and that's all I really have the time/patience for. I have to wash it daily as it's so fine .

I have had extensions twice now and they are brilliant. I go to vixen and blush in London and have the very minimum they do just for thickness and volume. The extensions are the same length as my own hair and no one has guessed I have them. I don't find them high maintenance at all.

Halo Can I ask if yours are woven in, or bonded? London is a bit out of reach for me, unfortunately!

I had bonded the first time and now have tried micro rings. I prefer the micro rings.

Hi Halo
How frequently do you have to have the redone? I've bee on the Vixen and Blush website and they look amazing!
Also, I have my highlights (roots) done every six weeks so I'm not sure how that would work with extensions - any insight?
Thank you!

I have them redone every 12 weeks so it's quite an investment even for the minimal amount I have. I have balyage so I only need colour about every 12 weeks but I can stretch that. They do colour services at the salon so I expect most people have colour and extensions at the same time. I love my usual hairdresser though so I stick with her for my colour. She just works around the extensions.

I've looked on the Vixen website and can see they offer a trial of fitting one or two extensions so you can see how they feel - I might see if there's anywhere local to me that offers a similar service. I hadn't heard of micro-rings but they sound potentially less damaging than glue!

I don't think anyone has used glue extensions since the 90s!! I'd steer well clear of them if that's what you've been offered!

I've had extensions 3 times. Twice woven in and 1 microrings. I've never had any hair damage.

Micro rings sound like the way to go! I really doubt my hair would be thick enough to have extensions woven in without them showing.

They basically just plait them into your hairline. The plait is really small, I've got really fine hair and they weren't visible. Maybe have a chat with a hairdresser to see which would be best. I think the most important thing is the quality of the hair so if you are buying it yourself to take to the hairdresser don't scrimp