As a hair extension specialist, one of the most common questions I get asked is: “Are extensions bad for thinning hair?”
A lot of women are worried that while hair extensions can give you that boost of added confidence, they might simultaneously cause damage to your natural hair, accelerating the thinning process.
The hard truth is that some hair extensions can be damaging, and depending on which extensions you get, they could cause further damage to your fragile hair follicles. However, provided you choose a damage-free installation method (we always use micro or mini micro rings at The Hair Alchemist), hair-quality human hair extensions can transform fragile and thinning hair, giving you back the confidence you’ve lost! I know because I’ve seen this transformation time and time again…
Take a look at the transformation below to see what we can achieve with stunning Russian hair and damage-free micro rings.
Read on to learn more about hair extensions for thin and thinning hair with award-winning salon, The Hair Alchemist.
Jump to section:
- What Are The Best Hair Extensions For Women With Thinning Hair?
- Benefits of Hair Extensions for Thinning Hair
- Are Hair Extensions Good for Thinning Hair?
- Is It Normal for Women’s Hair to Thin as They Get Older?
- How to Hide Extensions in Thinning Hair
- How to Look After Hair Extensions in Thinning Hair
- Premium Hair Extensions for Thinning Hair at The Hair Alchemist
What Are The Best Hair Extensions For Women With Thinning Hair?
Whatever the cause of your thinning hair, we always recommend that you opt for a damage-free installation method – in fact, damage-free is always the way to go, regardless of the thickness of your hair.
At the Hair Alchemist, we only install micro rings or miniature micro rings (as well as clip-ins if you’re looking for a less permanent solution). These are damage-free and are the best way to protect your natural hair from further thinning and breakage. In fact, damage-free hair extensions can even act as a protective style, helping protect your natural hair while the extensions take the brunt of styling and environmental wear.
We only use premium Remy human hair, and our extensions provide an instant fix if you’re struggling with thinning hair – it will instantly look fuller and more voluminous, helping you look and feel younger with just one appointment.
As hair extension specialists, we understand how important your hair is to your sense of self, and that’s why we only use transformative hair extension methods that won’t harm your delicate hair follicles.
Micro and mini micro rings are:
- The least damaging hair extensions available
- Virtually undetectable, even in thinning hair
Below, we go into more detail about why micro rings and mini micro rings are the right choice for women with thinning hair.
Less Damaging
Due to the attachment method, micro rings and mini micro rings are often considered to be the least damaging type of hair extensions available. They work by threading small (or micro) metal loops through the hair extension, along with some of your own hair, and clamping shut to secure. No adhesive or harsh chemicals are used, and a soft silicone cushion barrier exists between the metal ring and your own hair for added protection.
Additionally, it is recommended that micro rings and mini micro rings be removed and refitted every two months in order to protect the natural hair. This also means that the extensions should last longer than other types of extensions, potentially up to five years if they are properly cared for.
Undetectable
One of the major benefits of micro rings and mini micro rings is that they are virtually undetectable in any hair type, including fine and thinning hair. Due to their small size, individual strands and careful placement, these extensions blend seamlessly into the natural hair for a flawless finish. They’re even undetectable in updos!
Benefits of Hair Extensions for Thinning Hair
I’ve seen time and time again how transformative hair extensions can be – especially for older women experiencing hair thinning. They provide instant volume, thickness and length that is almost impossible to replicate with natural growth, especially if your hair has started thinning and just doesn’t have the volume that it used to.
Opting for high-quality human hair extensions, like the ones offered at the Hair Alchemist, is essential if you want a natural look. Cheaper synthetic hair extensions might be cheaper in price, but they’re much harder to style and tend to look obviously fake… because they are. Our Russian hair extensions are the best option for a seamless way to transform your head of thinning hair. Plus, our hair is some of the finest quality available anywhere in the world, and is combined with our expert damage-free installation.
Learn more about how to choose the right hair extensions for you in our blog, ‘What Are the Best Hair Extensions?’.
Are Hair Extensions Good for Thinning Hair?
Thin hair is naturally more prone to damage than thicker hair, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that those with thin hair can’t have hair extensions. It just means that they need to choose the right type of extensions that don’t damage or pull out the natural hair.
You also have to consider the weight of the extensions being fitted. Heavy extensions, or a lot of extensions, can pull on the natural hair and also damage the scalp. Therefore, it’s important to opt for lightweight extensions and perhaps adopt a less-is-more approach in terms of how many extensions are fitted.
During your free initial consultation with the Hair Alchemist, we can advise on whether micro rings and mini micro rings would be the best fit for your hair and the most suitable coverage to achieve the fullness you want without compromising your natural hair! Reach out today to book your consultation with Emma.
Is It Normal for Women’s Hair to Thin as They Get Older?
Yes, unfortunately, it’s very common for women to experience hair loss as they age, and this is something that I see all the time as a hair extension specialist – thinning hair can have a real impact on your confidence and how you feel about yourself.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, more than 50% of females will experience noticeable hair loss. This is often a result of hormonal shifts, follicle shrinkage, a reduced follicle count or Female Pattern Hair Loss, but most women aren’t concerned about the reasons behind why their hair is thinning; many women are simply looking for a solution.
While hair extensions can’t reverse hair loss, they can instantly provide you with that lost volume, thickness and density, and even protect your natural hair from the stress of styling. Book your consultation with Emma today to learn more about how we can help.
How to Hide Extensions in Thinning Hair
Our hair extensions blend seamlessly with your own hair due to our attachment method and careful colour blending process. This means that the extensions will perfectly match your own hair in both colour and texture.
Our stylists section off your hair strategically before a small portion of hair, the same thickness as the extension, is divided off. This is then threaded through the micro ring loop and clamped shut. As we work with single strands, rather than larger tapes or clip-ins, the final look is much more invisible. It also means we can be more strategic and create volume and thickness where it’s needed – especially important if your hair has thinned in one particular area.
How to Look After Hair Extensions in Thinning Hair
A key factor when getting hair extensions, especially with thinning hair, is proper maintenance and aftercare. Here are our top 5 tips for looking after your extensions and your own hair:
1 – Regular In-Salon Maintenance
The biggest tip for looking after hair extensions in fine hair is not to skip your maintenance appointments. Not only do they prolong the life of your extensions, but they also help to keep your own fine hair healthy and help reduce further hair loss.
It is recommended to go no longer than two months between maintenance appointments, where we carefully remove your extensions before resealing them with a keratin bond to ensure that no shedding occurs, and to remove product build-up.
Your natural hair is then washed, trimmed and blow-dried and we’ll also examine the health of your scalp and natural hair before refitting the extensions as before.
Learn more about maintenance appointments and why they’re so important for the health of your extensions here.
2 – Invest in Good Products
When wearing hair extensions, you need to use good products in order to prolong their lifespan. We recommend products that are silicone, sulphate and paraben-free as these can damage both your natural hair and the extensions.
At The Hair Alchemist, we use and highly recommend Neal and Wolf products.
3 – Braids are Your Friend
We highly recommend styling your hair in a loose braid when sleeping, swimming and exercising to help protect the extensions. Carefully brush through your hair and secure it in a loose braid using snag-free hair ties.
4 – Be Careful When Brushing
We recommend using a specialist extension brush when wearing hair extensions. This style of brush has soft nylon or boar bristles and a cushioned bristle base, allowing it to gently glide over the bonds.
When brushing, start from the bottom, moving up towards the root whilst holding the bonds as you brush to avoid placing unnecessary stress on the bonds.
When the hair is wet, we recommend using a wide-tooth comb, as using a brush at this time can cause breakage.
5 – Wash No More than 2-3 Times Per Week
Before washing, we recommend thoroughly detangling your hair as detailed above. We advise not washing your hair more than two to three times per week in order to protect your hair. This also goes for hair without hair extensions. If your hair gets greasy quickly, dry shampoo can be used between washes.
It’s best to wash upright rather than over a bath or sink. Smooth the shampoo down the strands but don’t rub vigorously and only condition from the mid-lengths down and conditioner near the bonds can cause slippage.
Premium Hair Extensions for Thinning Hair at The Hair Alchemist
The Hair Alchemist is an award-winning salon for hair extensions, specialising in premium Russian hair extensions. Our range includes micro rings, mini micro rings and clip-in extensions tailored to thinning and fine hair. We exclusively source top-quality Russian and Slavic hair for its exceptional health, strength, and overall quality.
You can schedule an appointment with us to install hair extensions for your thinning hair or if you just want some advice about how we can help transform your look. Get in touch today via phone on 07538970628 or fill out our contact form to book your initial consultation.