There are a number of very good reasons to not get hair extensions. Achieving instant long hair (well, after a few hours) sounds great - it has to beat growing your own, right? Hmm, not if you experience one of the typical problems that can happen when you have extensions. Here are some sound reasons to not get hair extensions …

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1. Damage

One of the major reasons to not get hair extensions is the damage they can cause. Extensions can cause serious damage to your hair. It may break off, and even worse, leave you with bald patches. This is due to the weight of the extensions pulling at your own hair. Is it worth the risk?

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Extensions often require tight braiding or bonding that puts tension on the hair follicles. Over time, this tension can lead to a condition known as traction alopecia, which is a form of gradual hair loss caused by a persistent pulling force. Additionally, the glue or heat used to apply some types of extensions can lead to breakage or weakened strands, especially if they're not installed or removed properly. Your natural hair might suffer, undermining the very beauty and fullness hair extensions are supposed to enhance. Is taking such a toll on your hair's health and vitality truly justifiable?

2. Same Look

When every other woman has hair extensions, they all start to look the same. Take a look at some of the many celebrities who wear extensions. There's very little to tell between them. The problem with extensions is that they give you lovely long hair, but that's very limiting. You just have a long-hair look.

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Additionally, hair extensions often come in a handful of popular styles and colors that are trending at the moment. With many opting for these limited options, the result is a uniformity that deprives women of their unique individuality. Sure, you might turn a few heads with your impeccably long locks, but without the natural quirks and distinct characteristics of your own hair, you risk being just another face in the crowd. The charm of personal style diversity is lost when we're all mimicking the same aesthetic.

3. Maintenance

There's a lot of maintenance involved once you get extensions. You've got to look after them properly, and could be back at the salon once a month. If you decide to stick with your new look, you'll be getting the extensions replaced perhaps every few months. That's a lot of time in the salon …

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Caring for extensions is no walk in the park. You'll need to use specific shampoos and conditioners that don't cause the bonds to weaken, and brushing your hair must be done with the utmost care to avoid tugging the extensions out. Activities as simple as sleeping and swimming require caution—you might end up needing a special silk pillowcase or a swim cap just to protect those pricey strands. And let's not even get started on the horror of matting if you neglect them. Each maintenance session also racks up more costs, so your wallet won't be getting a break either.

4. Cost

You'll also spend a lot of money to maintain your extensions. If you want good quality ones that last, you'll pay an appropriately high price. Cheap extensions may be more affordable, but they won't last as long or be as good quality. With extensions, you definitely get what you pay for.

Embrace your individuality and transform your look by trying out a unique shade. Did you know that green hair is associated with nature, creativity, and growth? So go ahead, experiment with this bold hair color to represent a new phase in your life, waiting to blossom like a fresh spring leaf.

5. Wrong Look

Long hair doesn't suit everyone, and so extensions may be an expensive mistake. The best thing is to try on a wig to see how long hair looks on you. You may find that as much as you'd like long hair, it doesn't like you. If that's the case, it's better to pass on having extensions.

6. Obvious

It's usually pretty obvious that someone is wearing extensions. Often you can see the ends of the real hair over the extensions. They also have an unnaturally straight look. Okay, people are going to know you've had extensions when your hair apparently grows overnight, but do you want it to be obvious to everyone?

7. They May Drop out

Extensions may drop out. Finding your lovely extensions all over the house would be bad enough, but if it happened when you were out that would be really embarrassing! And if you had them done for a special occasion, it would be truly mortifying if they dropped out.

8. Exploitation

Using human hair may look more natural, but it may have a dark side. Your expensive extensions could be made from hair that a woman in India or Russia was paid a pittance for. Women who sell their hair do so because they are desperately poor - do you really want to benefit from their desperation?

You may opt for extensions because you are too impatient for your own hair to grow. But this quick fix may backfire. Long hair may look nice, but it requires maintenance - especially if you've got this look with extensions. What do you think of extensions - have they been problem-free for you, or have you had a disastrous experience?

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Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

Londra
2013-08-15T00:11:29.000Z
Extensions can do some serious damage
Nicole
2013-08-15T11:59:18.000Z
Tried all types of extensions over the years... Just decided to stop wearing them about 6 months and it's incredible how much better condition my hair is is now! Soo much thicker and softer, extensions left me with bald patches at the sides of my head from the weight of the hair pulling, never going back to them!
Candace
2013-08-14T23:26:40.000Z
I didn't mind my clip in ones but I definitely got headaches because they were too heavy. I rarely used them and don't know
D'net
2013-08-15T01:05:11.000Z
It's very unlikely to have hair falling out in your dinner, or get bald patches. This only happens if its not put in or taken out by a good stylist. You definitely will get what you pay for with extensions. The only problem I've encountered, is with glue ins you have to re-glue them if they get wet..this includes sweating. And with sew ins, it's not good to get them wet too often, and you do have to wrap your hair at night. Other than that, they help your hair to grow! You just have to know how to take care of them. Good hair can last up to 4 months-2 years depending how well you take care of them! Hope I helped!
Ashley
2013-10-09T16:26:46.000Z
Extensions, in my opinion, are stupid-and such a waste of money-why pay money to get someone else\'s hair attached to your head? and then once you blow your money on the stupid hair, once your done with it, you go a salon and they just throw the hair away like its nothing-repulsive-Extensions are gross-People can\'t grow their own hair? anyone can grow hair-people just don\'t want to wait or take the time to take care of their hair and grow it properly-i understand maybe using extensions once in a while for a special occasion like a wedding where you want to look fancier- i do not understand girls that wear fake hair all the time-its very unclassy-how can you feel good about having extensions? do you think people look at you and go \"wow, that fake hair looks really beautiful on you\" i have hair down to my hips-no one could pay me any amount of money to cut my hair, or ever consider throwing away my money on extensions-only if your severely losing your hair and balding because of a health condition or something should you consider getting hair attached to your head-if your just using extensions, because you want longer hair, its stupid-and tacky-celebrities only get away with it because they have stylists working on their hair all the time-real people don\'t have that luxery, so their hair looks like crap-i can always spot extensions and i think the whole extensions thing is hideous
Ashley
2014-03-12T23:40:42.295Z
Amanda, we all have our opinions-of course as a Stylist, you support the extensions business-its still a stupid thing in my opinion-I understand people who can't grow their hair or are losing their hair because of cancer or a health problem, would find comfort in using extensions and that's fine-what angers me about fake hair, in general, is when people simply do not take care of their hair properly, style it to death or bleach it or whatever, knowing that they could take better care of it-then cut it off and get insecure and get extensions-real long hair will always be more beautiful, period-people can do whatever they want-just because extensions are popular doesn't mean they are a good idea
Nikki
2013-08-15T06:45:24.000Z
I love extensions. They can definitely look real if done right. Usually if your hair isn't Atleast shoulder length, they tend to look fake, though.
Extension
2021-10-18T09:14:23.731Z
#1 As a 30 year established professional hair extension specialist who also specializes in hair loss I would say hair extensions are actually less damaging than those who take poor care of their hair, chemically treated hair clients, and those taking medications. I have seen some of the healthiest hair on clients who chose to wear extensions simply because they researched the most experienced stylist to care for their hair when they couldn't get in to see me. Clients wear extensions for many different reasons, but best of all it is a person's choice and as long as they are knowledgeable of the proper maintenance required for the type of extensions they want. And their stylist is educated enough to recommend the healthiest technique for the client's type/texture of hair, damage should not be of any concern. A routine deep condition, 6-8 week long breaks without extensions, taking hair growth supplements, along with end trimmings strengthens the hair and is a beautiful reminder that as healthy women we most certainly can have strong hair whether long or short.