If you’re trying to decide whether to go for clip-in hair extensions or not, safety and protection from damage is a big factor to consider. I’ve looked into this and have some information that might help you decide.
Clip-in extensions should not damage your hair as long as you install and remove them properly, especially before strenuous activities. You must remove them before sleeping, swimming, showering, and exercising to avoid tangling, hair loss, breakage, and scalp irritation. That said, if you thin/fine hair, opt for seamless clip-in extensions instead.
Read below to learn more about the different hair extension methods and which options are safer than others!
What Is The Safest Hair Extension Method? A Full Comparison
There are five main hair extension methods, and each differs in terms of application or installation method and length of time before they need to be adjusted.
The safest hair extension method is clip-in hair extensions. This method doesn’t require any adhesives or heat during installation. The ease of application and removal makes them perfect for protecting your hair as any undue stress on your hair and scalp is eliminated because you can control where and when you wear them.
Each hair extension method also comes with different risks regarding the level of damage to your natural hair. Overall, clip-in extensions will do the least amount of damage to your natural hair. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key comparisons of each method:
| Type of hair extensions: | Source of damage: | How often do they need to be re-fitted: | Level of damage: |
| Clip-in hair extensions | None | Daily/each wear | Nothing if used correctly |
| Tape-in hair extensions | Glue, heat tool, glue remover solvent | Every 4-8 weeks | Allergic reaction, scalp irritation, breakage, hair loss, tearing of your natural hair, moisture loss |
| Sew-in hair extensions | Strain, drying, tight | 6-8 weeks | Hair loss, scalp irritation, breakage, traction alopecia, headaches, and a dry and flaky scalp |
| Micro bead hair extensions | Pressure/tight | 2-3 months | Tension headaches, hair loss/traction alopecia, scalp irritation, breakage |
| Pre-bonded hair extensions | Glue and remover chemicals, heat | 2-3 months | Hair loss, scalp irritation, breakage, allergic reaction, drying out of the hair |
01. Clip-in hair extensions
Clip-in hair extensions are the easiest, fastest, and safest way to increase your hair length and thickness. The hair wefts come with pre-attached clips at the top of the hairpiece that clip into your natural hair. They can easily be installed and removed at home whenever you please as they do not require professional help.
As long as you remove the extensions before any activities that may cause them to tangle with your hair or tug and pull on your hair unnecessarily, you should experience no damage to your natural hair.
These extensions are some of the only extensions you can get that do not require the use of adhesives or intricate attachment methods and this can really save your hair from any extra sources of damage!
Glues and bonding agents used in other more permanent hair extension methods are guaranteed to cause at least some damage to your real hair, whereas with clip-ins, you snap them in, and you’re ready to go. No-fuss!
02. Tape-in hair extensions
Tape-in hair extensions come in pre-taped wefts, where the hair is attached to strips of tape. These tapes are then glued together on either side of sections of your natural hair.
This method of installation can damage your natural hair. It makes use of glue which is known to damage the hair over time as it is very harsh and coats the strands. This can lead to breakage, hair loss, and tearing of your natural hair. You may also experience an itchy sensation on your scalp if you react badly to the glue.
This method also uses a heated tool to prepare the glue which makes it even more damaging. To remove the wefts and dissolve the glue, a glue remover solvent needs to be used which also contains harsh chemicals that can strip the hair of moisture.
You would need to have your extensions removed and re-applied every 4-8 weeks as they would move down as your natural hair grows. This means that you would be exposing your hair to this damage every 1 to 2 months and this could undermine the quality of your hair over time.
03. Sew-in hair extensions
Sew-in hair extensions, also known as a weave, require your natural hair to be braided into tight cornrows first. A needle and thread are then used to sew the weave into the hair.
This method of application can be damaging to your natural hair and scalp as the application method requires very tight braids or cornrows. This can put a lot of strain on your scalp and feel tight and uncomfortable if not done correctly.
This strain on your natural hair and scalp can lead to traction alopecia (a gradual form of hair loss), breakage, headaches, and a dry and flaky scalp. Your scalp can become incredibly dry and would require a lot of moisturizing and deep conditioning products.
You would need to have your weave removed every 6-8 weeks as it would need to be refitted so that it is secure. You should not wear a weave for more than 4 months in total (including reapplications) as this can inhibit your hear growth!
04. Micro bead hair extensions
Microbead hair extensions, also known as micro loop hair extensions, are another form of hair extensions. They are installed by attaching the very tiny wefts of hair to small sections of your real hair using a small silicone-lined bead. A specialized tool is used to tighten and secure the bead to the hair and hold the weft in place.
Although this method of installation does not use heat or glue, it can still be damaging to the natural hair. If the bead is attached and tightened too tight, it can put a lot of pressure on the hair and tug at the roots. This can lead to tension headaches and scalp irritation.
If the bead is too tight it can also pull and tug at the roots of the hair and cause hair loss and breakage so you need to make sure that if you choose this method, that you’re going to a professional! Too much tension on the hair can lead to traction alopecia over time and the hair follicles could become damaged!
As your real hair grows, the beads will move further away from the scalp so the micro bead extensions will need to be re-installed and re-positioned every 2-3 months.
05. Pre-bonded hair extensions
Pre-bonded hair extensions, also known as bonded or fusion extensions, are extensions that are fused to your real hair using adhesives (for example glue). This method is very time consuming and can take up to four hours. Either a specialized hot glue gun is used to glue the extension hair to individual strands of your natural hair or a heat clamp is used to melt the glue on to the hair.
It is a known fact that although this method of hair extension gives a natural finish and is seen to be less bulky, it is extremely damaging to your natural hair. The combination of the glue and the heat can irritate the scalp and cause an allergic reaction in some cases!
The glue and glue remover solvent used also usually contains various harsh chemicals that can lead to hair loss, breakage, and drying out of the hair over time. This method of hair extension would require the extension hair to be removed and repositioned every 2-3 months, so exposure to damage is frequent which could worsen the damage to your real hair.
Want to learn more about the full costs and durability of all types of extensions? Check out our full buyers’ guide for every question you have answered!
Final thoughts
Out of all of the different hair extension options and methods, my opinion is that clip-ins are the safest way to get longer, thicker locks without damaging your real hair. If you look after them and install and remove them correctly you have no issues!