Hair grows, on average, a half-inch each month, totalling about six inches a year. So, if you want to grow your hair out and add some length, you must be patient.
Others want their hair to be thicker and more voluminous. Achieving this often takes more than time; it takes the right products and some luck from genes, as well.
For those who don’t want to wait, hair extensions might be the best option. Hair extensions can instantly add length and volume, giving you your dream head of hair.
So, how much are hair extensions? That question doesn’t have one answer. There are a variety of factors that can affect the final price of your hair extensions.
Human vs Synthetic Hair
When it comes to extensions, the hair is either human or synthetic. Both of these have differences in quality, maintenance, and price.
Human Hair
Human hair is the preferred kind of hair for extensions. This hair comes from human donors and behaves similarly to the hair that grows from the scalp.
Human hair extensions can be dyed, and you can use heat tools to style the hair. It’ll look and act like human hair, allowing it to better blend in with your own.
In general, human hair is better quality and, therefore, more expensive than synthetic.
Synthetic Hair
Synthetic hair, on the other hand, is made of acrylic or nylon. Though the extensions are created from man-made fibres, they go through a chemical process that makes them behave more like natural human hair.
While it may look like human hair, synthetic hair doesn’t have the same soft quality as natural human hair. Synthetic hair is harder to dye; you often have to use fabric dye. You also aren’t able to use heat tools on synthetic hair.
Synthetic hair is less expensive, so it can be good for those on a budget.
Length and Thickness of Hair
The next factor that can affect the final price of hair extensions is the length and thickness. In general, the longer the hair extensions, the more expensive they will be.
Hair extension is typically sold by the inch. Ten inches is the shortest and comes to about shoulder length on most people. The longest standard length is about 30 inches, which reaches the bottom of the back or lower.
You can get longer extensions; however, these are custom and, again, cost more money.
Thickness is measured in grams and often ranges from 50 grams to 280 grams. This is the total weight of the extensions and is evenly distributed across the head. The more grams of extensions, the thicker and more voluminous.
It’s also important to note that these two factors often work together in determining the price. The more hair and the longer it is, the more expensive it will be.
Hair Quality
It goes without saying that the higher the quality of hair, the more expensive the extensions will be.
Origin
Origin refers to where the hair was imported from and the source of the hair. This is often denoted in the labelling of the hair. Brazillian, Peruvian, and Indian are among the most popular. Russian and European hair is also sought after.
European and Russian hair is often lighter, making it easier for those looking for extensions that are blonde or lighter shades of brown. Asian hair is darker and much straighter. Brazillian hair often has a natural curl pattern.
Virgin
Virgin hair refers to hair that has not been dyed or chemically treated in any way. This often means the cuticles are intact, which leads to softer and longer-lasting hair.
This also allows for the hair to be bleached and coloured with less damage because there were no previous chemicals on the hair. The virgin hair extension cost tends to be higher than processed.
Remy Hair
Remy hair has gone through chemical processing or colour treatments. The cuticles are kept intact and the hair is arranged so the strands are pointed in the same direction.
Remy hair doesn’t tangle and doesn’t mate, which makes it longer-lasting. This hair can also be re-used more than non-Remy hair, so you won’t need new extensions with every application.
Type of Extension and Application
Beyond the quality of the hair, there’s also the kind of extension and application of that hair. It’s also important to note that hair extension installation and maintenance have a price that’s separate from the hair.
Tape-In Extensions
With tape-in extensions, the hair is applied with medical-grade glue. The extensions come in one-and-a-half-inch pre-taped sections that get applied around the head.
Weave-In Extensions
Weave-in extensions are wefts of hair that can be cut to custom sizes. These extensions are sewn into braided hair, with hair placed on top to cover those wefts.
Microbeads Extensions
As the name suggests, this type of extension is attached with tiny, easy-to-hide beads at the tops of the extensions. These extensions are applied by pulling small pieces of hair on the head through the bead and clamping it shut.
Fusion Extensions
Fusion extensions have small beads of keratin at the tops of the hair. These are fused to the natural hair using a special tool that forms the keratin bead around the small section of hair.
Additional Services
In some cases, you may require additional services to ensure your extensions look natural. There may be a consultation to find the best type of extension for you.
You may also require hair colour matching to ensure the extensions blend in with your natural hair. Hair styling after installation is also usually not included.
How Much Are Hair Extensions?
You want thicker, longer, more voluminous hair, but you don’t want to wait the months or even years it could take to achieve it. You could wake up overnight with your dream head of hair by using hair extensions.
But if you’re wondering how much are hair extensions, you’ll have to do a little research first. Depending on the kind of hair you use and the type of extensions, the hair extensions’ prices can differ.
Ready to have the hair you’ve always wanted? Book an appointment to begin your hair transformation journey today!