Do Hair Extensions Damage Your Hair?

Hair extensions provide the opportunity to freely change up your style or enhance a look your natural hair just can’t make on its own.

However, we know that you’re bothered about the impact extensions may have on your hair. You’re worried about the potential for damage, breakage or even hair loss. That’s why you came to this blog.

Here at Stranded, we know how much of an impact hair has on our self-esteem and self–confidence. There are many reasons why customers keep coming back to us to purchase hair extensions, but like you, they share the same concerns.

In this article, you are going to learn about the least damaging types of extensions and how to prevent hair damage, breakage or loss. Any questions that may be on your mind surrounding this topic will be answered here.

• What hair extensions cause the least damage?
• What hair extensions cause the most damage?
• Do clip in hair extensions damage your hair?
• Can you wear clip in hair extensions every day?
• Can you sleep in clip in extensions?
• How do you wash clip in extensions?
• Are clip in extensions safe for thin hair?
• Can hair extensions help hair grow?
• What are our top tips to help prevent hair damage?
• Not sure which hair extensions are right for you?

What hair extensions cause the least damage?

Clip in hair extensions are number one for being the safest and least damaging type of extensions that you can use. As they’re attached temporarily, using small clips either around the parameter of a one piece or on individual extensions, there isn’t permanent pulling or stress on your natural hair.

Wefts, or sew-in extensions, fall second to being the least damaging type of hair extension. This is because wefts are applied by the extension being sewn into a tiny braid, which puts limited stress on your natural hair.

At Stranded, we exclusively sell clip in and weft extensions, in both synthetic and human hair. The clips we use are a safe and secure way to attach your clip in extensions, made to protect the natural hair from tension and damage.

What hair extensions cause the most damage?

Microbeads or micro loops are the most damaging type of hair extension, due to the strain they put on the natural hair.

Microbeads or micro loops are often made with metal or heavy plastics, which can weigh down on the hair follicles and cause breakage at the root. They’re also commonly known to cause headaches due to the weight they pull on your scalp.

Do clip in extensions damage your hair?

As long as you do not sleep, swim or shower in your clip in hair extensions, or keep them attached for excessively long periods of time, there is no reason that they would cause any damage.

Can you wear clip in extensions every day?

Yes! You can wear clip in extensions every day, if you would like to, as clip ins are the safest and least damaging type of hair extension.

However, to avoid hair damage, you must ensure that you fit and remove the extensions properly - with emphasis on remove!

You could experience damage to your natural hair if you overwear your extensions, such as by continuously wearing them night and day. Excessive use of any type of extension can cause traction alopecia, caused by continuous strain on the hair follicle. Early stages of traction alopecia are treatable, however, it can worsen and lead to scarring alopecia, for which there is no cure.

You could also experience damage by not attaching or removing the clips properly, as this will put stress on the natural hair and cause breakage at the root. Take a look at our ‘how to’ article and video, on how to properly attach a Stranded one piece clip in extension.

Can you sleep in clip in extensions?

No, it's not safe to sleep in your clip in hair extensions.

Whilst sleeping, the movement of your head against your pillow would cause the clips to pull at your natural hair, resulting in damage and breakage.

The benefit of clip in extensions is that they are quick and easy to attach and remove, so make sure you always unclip them and store them away at night.

Our Stranded boxes, which our clip in extensions are sold in, are designed to store your extensions flat when not in use.

How do you wash clip in extensions?

Do not wash your clip in extensions still attached to your hair - remove them to wash!

Clip in extensions do not need to be washed very often, as they aren’t receiving natural oils from your scalp like your own hair does.

The following wash routine applies to both synthetic and human hair extensions:

• Begin by brushing your extensions to remove any knots or tangles.
• Fill your sink with warm water and thoroughly wet the extensions.
• Wash them with a sulphate-free shampoo and rinse.
• Apply a generous amount of conditioner and work well through the hair, then rinse.

To dry your clip in extensions:

• Gently pat them dry with a towel, never rub them.
• Brush them through, using a smoothing or conditioning product if necessary.
• Either allow them to dry naturally or use your hair dryer.
• If using a hair dryer, always make sure you apply heat protection to your extensions beforehand.

TOP TIP: We recommend using a brush specifically made for extensions, such as our Smooth Finish Extension Brush.

Are clip in extensions safe for thin hair?

Want one of the easiest and safest ways to achieve thicker, fuller-looking hair in an instant? Clip in a set of natural-looking hair extensions! Boosting volume from root to tip, the right extensions can look indistinguishable from your natural hair.

At Stranded, our clip in extensions come in up to 32 multidimensional shades and 4 different lengths (depending on whether you choose synthetic or human hair). We also offer colour swatch samples and free expert colour matching, so that you can experience the most realistic look.

Remember that regardless of being synthetic or human hair, extensions apply weight onto your natural hair, which can cause breakage. If your hair is particularly thin, think about choosing a lighter clip in extension. For example, our 16” synthetic straight one piece weighs 130g, whereas our human hair 18” seamless weighs 105g.

Can hair extensions help hair grow?

According to Healthline, the human head has approximately 100,000 pieces of hair on it at one time. Hair protects us from things in our environment, regulates our body temperatures, helps detect sensations and plays an important role in our self-identities.

When attached, worn and removed correctly, hair extensions can support natural hair growth. So, if you’re looking to add length or volume to your natural hair whilst it grows, clip in extensions are the safest and easiest method to support that. Clip ins can help maintain your hair’s health by minimising heat and styling damage.

It is a common myth that hair extensions stop or reduce hair growth. This idea comes from evidence of hair damage or breakage from over-excessive use, bad application and/or removal.

What are our top tips to help prevent hair damage?

• Learn how to attach extensions correctly
• Remove hair extensions daily
• Do not sleep in extensions
• Avoid over-excessive use
• Unattach hair extensions to wash
• Purchase higher quality extensions for higher quality clips
• Invest in extensions with a lighter weight if you have thinner hair

Not sure which hair extensions are right for you?

So you’ve weighed up your options and learned how to prevent damage, breakage and hair loss when using extensions. What next?

Now you need to find the right extensions for you!

Stranded Hair Group exclusively stocks the safest and easiest hair extensions that pose the least risk of hair damage, breakage or loss.

Our synthetic, heat resistant one piece range has 32 multidimensional colours to choose from and 2 believable length options - 16” (130g) and 20” (160g).

Stranded’s newest style, Wand Wave one piece, is 20” (167g) and comes in all shades.

If you prefer human hair clip ins, our original seamless range comes in 20 colours, in both 14” and 18” (105g) lengths. Our luxury 4-piece range comes in 29 colours, in 16” (140g) and 20” (170g).

Maybe you’ve decided that clip ins aren’t for you? Stranded also stocks the second safest hair extension method - wefts. Our human hair wefts come in 20 colours and 2 lengths, 14” (95g) and 18” (105g).

Remember, we also offer colour swatch samples and free expert colour matching, so that you can find your perfect shade!