And despite being a very widespread technique, it is still a procedure that raises many doubts for those who are thinking of changing their look, so in today's post we clarify all doubts and even bring inspirations with before and after photos.
About MegaHair
What is it?
Mega hair is a technique that consists of adding extensions to the length of the hair, in order to lengthen the strands and add more volume to the hair.
The procedure, whose main function is to lengthen the strands, is also called stretching or hair extension.
This technique is well known in the universe of hairdressing salons, it is a temporary procedure, which requires maintenance for the duration of the procedure.
Who can do it?
As it is an aesthetic procedure to lengthen locks, the procedure can be done by those who want to make the strands longer or even more voluminous, since the procedure consists of adding more hair, giving a natural volume effect to the strands.
The indications and restrictions for hair extensions depend on the professional's assessment, who will assess your hair type and its resistance and thus confirm whether the hair can resist hair extension.
In general, very weakened threads need treatment before stretching, as the extension can weigh down and make already damaged threads break more easily.
Are there Risks / Contraindications?
Despite being a widespread hair extension technique, the procedure has its risks and contraindications:
- Hair breakage: hair breakage usually happens in more weakened hair that gains extension. To avoid breakage, the ideal is to make a prior assessment with the hairdresser to assess the resistance of the strands before adding the extensions.
- Possibility of baldness: some doctors point to mega hair as a procedure that can cause female pattern baldness. This can occur with the weight of the extension being added to the strands. Each strand is supported inside the scalp by a very small muscle called the strand-sustaining muscle or hair erector muscle; and with the addition of hair to the extension, there may be too much weight and this muscle can break, which dies and consequently stops hair growth in the region. That's why the need to look for a good professional to assess the resistance of the hair and the amount of strands added.
- Damage to the strands: depending on the technique chosen for the hair lengthening procedure, joining the new hair with the existing one can damage the locks at the junction point, since some techniques tend to use knots or glues.
How much does it cost on average?
We're talking about an aesthetic procedure that aims to lengthen the wires in a few hours, and to get this result you have to shell out a considerable amount of money.
Stretching techniques using strands of natural yarn tend to be the most expensive, ranging from R$ 1500 to R$ 3000,00. This price may vary according to the amount of hair needed, chosen salon, hair color and technique chosen to add the extensions.
For those who don't want to spend a lot, they can resort to cheaper techniques with artificial threads, which cost around R$ 500.
Techniques and Types of Stretching
Keratin
Undoubtedly, keratin mega hair is one of the most popular types of hair extensions among women, and also one of the most popular versions for those who choose to lengthen their locks.
How is done: In this technique, the strands of hair are glued using a keratin glue right at the beginning of the strands and close to the scalp, leaving the result very natural and without an expressive mark that there is and where the hair lengthening begins.
Advantages: This technique is known for its many advantages and among them are the naturalness of the result, ease of maintenance and care for the extension that comes out of the hair root, fixed extension for a certain time.
Disadvantages: The main disadvantage in relation to this type of hair extension is the fact that the root of the hair cannot receive excessive heat with a hairdryer, flat iron and curling iron, as this can damage the junction and loosen the added strands.
Maintenance time / duration: The average duration of this technique is approximately 3 months, and after that time maintenance is required, as the hair root grows and the mega hair begins to descend.
micro link
How is done: The application of extensions through the microlink technique uses small metallic spheres, as if they were rings, attaching the new locks to the natural hair.
Advantages: The main advantage of using this procedure to lengthen the hair lies in the fact that the procedure does not use glues or other chemical elements to join the locks, preventing the hair from being too damaged at the junction point.
Disadvantages: As the capillary extension is done through rings that unite the locks, very straight hair may not hold the rings well and thus the extension will come off more easily. Therefore, this is not a recommended option for those with straight hair.
Maintenance time / duration: In this technique, maintenance should be performed, on average, every 4 months.
Tic Tac
How is done: Unlike all other mega hair techniques, stretching with tic tac does not consist of joining new locks to existing strands, but rather in the preparation of independent locks and hair color that gain clips in the tic tac style, allowing these locks are added to the hair in the desired situation and time.
Advantages: Undoubtedly, the main advantage of this type of technique lies in the fact that it does not damage the locks to be joined, since the hairpieces can be placed on the head through tic tac style clips. In addition, there are also no restrictions and specific care with washing the hair, since the extension can be removed when washing the head.
Disadvantages: The fact that it is not a fixed extension can be a negative point for many people, since it requires that each use the extension locks are fixed to the head.
Maintenance time / duration: Tic tac hair extension is temporary and can be applied and removed whenever you want.
Adhesive tape
How is done: As the name implies, the mega hair technique with duct tape consists of sticking the locks through adhesive tape. The strand with the tape is added to a natural strand of hair making the connection between the hair itself and the extension.
Advantages: This is a technique full of advantages, such as agility for the procedure, which takes about 1 hour to complete, while other versions can last up to 7 hours. In addition, the technique almost does not harm the natural strands and also has the advantage of being without volume at the root and with a very natural effect, being an option even for those with straight hair.
Disadvantages: As the hair is held together by ribbons, you need to be more careful when washing the locks, making careful movements so as not to damage the adhesive tape.
Maintenance time / duration: The average duration of this type of stretching is 3 months, and after that time it is necessary to renew the tape, which loses its adherence with use.
interweaving
This is one of the oldest hair lengthening techniques, and despite not being at the top of the list of the most chosen ones, it is still a possibility to lengthen locks.
How is done: To perform this type of hair extension, the hair root receives very firm cornrows and then the extension locks are sewn together with these cornrows, leaving the junction very close to the scalp.
Advantages: As the hairpiece is added very close to the scalp, one of the advantages is that it is a viable technique for those with short hair. In addition, another advantage is the fact that glue is not used for the joint, allowing the use of heat sources close to the root.
Disadvantages: As a disadvantage is the fact of cleaning the scalp, since the cornrows, which are the basis for mega hair, can make it difficult to completely clean it when washing your hair. Another negative point of this technique is the cornrows in very straight hair, which can gain more volume at the root, leaving the result non-harmonious.
Maintenance time / duration: The average time to maintain hair with braiding is 2 to 3 months.
Italian Knot / Tied
How is done: The technique consists of joining the new locks to the natural hair through knots and a junction with a latex elastic. In this way, the Italian knot mega hair is also recognized by the name tied to the style of junction between the locks.
Advantages: The main positive point of this type of extension is the fact that it does not use glues and chemicals in the junction, which can damage the locks.
Disadvantages: The procedure of tying knots between the locks can be a bit painful, in addition to adding a little volume to the roots and not recommended for those with very straight hair.
Maintenance time / duration: Like most hair extension techniques, the Italian knot procedure requires maintenance every 3 months.
Jamaican No / Cloth
How is done: In this procedure, the hair root gains some knots (Jamaican knot) and a screen with locks of hair is superimposed over the natural strands. The application of this extension is done through a seam that holds the fabric over the knots made at the root, leaving the extension fixed in the locks.
Advantages: Quick placement procedure and with the advantage of having a natural look and cheaper cost than many other mega hair techniques.
Disadvantages: As there is a screen in the extension, the ideal is not to sleep with wet hair and always dry the root and screen well, avoiding the proliferation of fungi in the screen and scalp.
Maintenance time / duration: The ideal is that the maintenance of this stretching is done in the period between 1 and 2 months.
American Point
How is done: The American point mega hair technique consists of a differentiated stretching procedure with knots. In the process, the junction of the natural hair with the extensions is done through a seam, crochet style, which joins the new locks to the natural hair.
Advantages: As an advantage, this procedure brings the agility of applying the extensions, lasting around 1 hour, in addition to the fact that it is more natural than other types of knots and easier to clean and wash. Another positive point is the fact that it does not use glues.
Disadvantages: For the junction, a latex is used to hold the wires, and in this case, care must be taken with the use of heat sources in the junction of the wires so as not to loosen the locks of the extensions.
Maintenance time / duration: Maintenance of this technique should be done, on average, every 2 months.
How to Choose the Right Technique for You?
There is no magic or rule that defines the best type of mega hair for each person, and the best way to define the ideal technique is by prioritizing your choices and the opinion of a professional.
If you want a quick procedure and only sometimes, perhaps the best choice is the tic tac model, which can be easily attached at the desired moment and lengthen the strands from time to time.
However, if the idea is to constantly sport long strands, the tip is to choose a fixed technique with a temporary and longer-lasting effect.
And despite prioritizing your personal taste, you must also follow the recommendations of the hairdresser, who will evaluate the hair and which technique is most appropriate to not damage your hair.
Main Care with Mega Hair
For whom the hair extension procedure is always positive, the ideal is to take some specific care after putting mega hair:
- Avoid sleeping with wet hair: in most types and techniques of stretching, the joining of the strands is done through a specific procedure β glue, knot, mesh, etc. Therefore, the ideal is never to sleep with wet hair.
- Care when combing the hair: among the care recommended by hairdressers after applying the extension is care when combing the locks, avoiding very fine combs that could damage or break the junction of the locks.
- Do the maintenance: it's not just the hair that needs care, the extension too. And during the maintenance of each technique, the professional can take care of the natural hair, the extending locks and especially reinforce the junction point, leaving the mega hair firmer.
- Don't try to remove it at home: a common mistake is trying to remove mega hair at home without the help of a professional. Each technique has a specific type of product or procedure for its removal, avoiding damage to the natural hair. And trying to remove the application at home can cause serious damage to your hair.
Capillary Stretching Photos and Inspirations
Smooth
For those with straight hair, the choice of mega hair technique must be careful, as the versions with knots at the root can be evident in very straight strands. In addition, some techniques may not be very firm either.
And to see the before and after of successful procedures on straight hair, we've separated some photos.
Curly / Wavy
For girls who want to lengthen curly and wavy locks, the tip is to choose natural hair types with the same shape as the locks, thus maintaining the uniform look for the extension.
I enjoy
And for those who don't have much patience in waiting for their hair to grow, you can choose the extension to leave long locks in a few hours. In this case, the tip is to opt for root appliquΓ©s.
Black
For those who have hair in black, the applied hair can be the same color, or the hair can be dyed natural hair to be in the same tone as the natural hair.
Blonde / Platinum
Blondes and platinum women need to be more careful when opting for hair lengthening, because light-dyed hair tends to be drier and, in order not to distinguish it from mega hair, it is always necessary to moisturize the hair.
redhead
Even redheads can opt for hair extensions, and to inspire, we've brought before and after photos of lengthening red hair.
Ombre Hair
For those who want to take advantage of the extension as a possibility to add color to their hair, it is worth the idea of ββββusing locks with ombrΓ© hair, leaving the ends in a different tone.
Another tip is to pull some strands in your own hair, leaving the result of the mega hair with an ombrΓ© effect even more natural.
on the fringe
And for those who opted for short bangs and now want a way to lengthen them, there are also some mega hair techniques that guarantee a naturally bangs.
Have you ever thought about lengthening your locks using this technique? Tell me here in the comments whether you've already joined the procedure or not.
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