Artificial hair integrations 2460120 225836670 2008-07-15T17:00:32Z Kingturtle 8780 removing text stolen from http://www.supermodelhairextensions.net/date/2008/02/ {{wikify|date=March 2008}} '''Artificial hair integrations''' add length to [[human hair]]. ==Types of hair fibers== Hair extensions are made from a range of human and synthetic fibers. Synthetic fibers include Kanekalon and Toyokalon, and can differ from brand to brand. Synthetic hair in general is less expensive than human hair, and is available in a wide array of colors and textures, from natural to extraordinary. Human hair is available in many different grades, and is usually advertised by ethnic origin; India, China and other Asian countries are the top suppliers for 'virgin', or unprocessed hair. Eastern European countries are the source of 'Caucasian' hair. ===Color, texture and quality=== '''Color''' Manufacturers of artificial hair use a standard scale to classify the hair by color. The lower the number on the package, generally, the darker the color. 0 usually denotes darkest black. These colors vary greatly from one manufacturer to another, and certain speciality hair suppliers also create their own signature patterns and colors. '''Texture''' Textures of artificial hair vary from pin-straight to extremely curly or kinky. The exact names of curl patterns vary by brand, and the possibilities of curl patterns with synthetic hair are endless, but some examples of packaged textures include: *'''Yaki''' - Bone straight, usually mimicking the straightness of Asian hair. *'''European''' - More natural-looking straight hair. May have a tiny amount of wave. *'''Deep Wave''' - While generally not a true 'wave', it can be made to look like spiral curls. *'''Loose Deep Wave''' or '''Romance Wave''' - Looser version of the deep wave, softer, more romantic curls. *'''Jheri Curl''' (sometimes colloquially known as 'nappy tracks') - Usually sold in very short lengths, it is often used to recreate the full 'afro' look. *'''Wet and Wavy''' , can be packaged as '''Spanish Wave''' or '''Indian Wave''' - Usually human hair is used, and is either naturally curly or permanently waved to appear so. Characterized as having soft, natural-looking curls that revert back to a curly state when wet. '''Quality''' The quality of the hair is often specified. *'''Virgin hair''' indicates that the hair hasn't been colored or processed in any way. The "virgin hair" is collected by tying off the hair to maintain the direction of the cuticle and then cut. After the hair is cut and collected it can be sewn on a weft, pre-bonded, made into wigs or left in bulk form. *'''Remy''' (=Remy) is a term used when all of the hair is human plus when 'close to' all of the strands (eg. in one weft) are strictly organised with the roots in one direction and the tip to the opposite end. Remy hair in general last much longer than non-remi and tends to stay shiny and "tangle free" longer. This is based on the fact that every strand of hair is biologically keratinized skin cells organized in layers overlapping one another. ==Methods of integration== The misnomer of 'tracks' comes from the common, long-lasting method of integrating wefts, known as the 'track and sew' method. The 'tracks' are usually cornrows, braided in the direction of how the hair will fall. Toward the face or away, with or without a part, the tracks build the foundation of how the end result will look. The wefts are then sewn onto the braids, usually with a specially made, blunt-ended needle. The needle can be curved or straight. There are many different colors of specially-made thread to choose from, depending on what color of hair you will be integrating. Darker hair lends to darker thread. It should also be noted that when the hair is braided at a high level of tension, the client is at risk for [[traction alopecia]]. Wefts may also be bonded directly to the clients hair using special bonding glue. Care must be taken not to bond the wefts directly to the scalp, as it can cause sensitivities in some clients. A patch test is frequently recommended, as per manufacturer's directions(MFD). Infrequently, wefts may be clipped in, with specially made clips sewn to the wefts themselves. This makes for a more temporary style, and is easily removed. Clipped-in wefts may add temporary color, length or fullness perhaps for a single event, such as a prom or wedding. Bulk hair can also be bonded to the hair, using many different methods: from clips to adhesive. ==Shampooing and styling of integrations== Shampooing of artificial hair integrations can be as easy as shampooing real hair, with some considerations. For instance, many manufacturers suggest using a mild shampoo, or even a wig shampoo. The MFD indicates what shampoo to use; the methods of brushing, combing and drying that are most advisable; and what heat setting to use when drying the hair, or if it is even advisable to do so. Most human hair extensions can be treated as real hair, albeit more gently. Since human hair extensions are usually heavily processed to achieve uniform color and texture, a mild shampoo is recommended, along with a light conditioner to reduce tangling. Cool water is recommended when shampooing, to reduce or prevent matting and excessive tangling. Having to remove snarls and tangles loosens the foundation of the integrations and further damages the hair. The same care taken when shampooing must also be used when styling artificial hair. It's often recommended that the texture of hair purchased should be the style in which the hair is worn. Using heat to [[straighten curly hair]], or to curl straight hair, damages it. The more damage the hair sustains, the shorter the lifespan of the artificial hair. Synthetic hair, and blends of synthetic hair and human hair, should be treated extremely gently, when it comes to heat styling. Many times it is completely inadvisable. Depending on the type of synthetic fiber, heat processing is possible at an extremely low heat. However, most synthetics will melt, burn or warp when subjected to the heat of a curling iron, flat iron, or blow-dryer. Some companies do manufacture more resistant, human-like hair that can be heat processed. ==Removal methods== Sewn-in integrations must be removed by cutting the thread that attaches it to the cornrow. Care must be taken to snip only the thread, and not the client's hair. Care must also be taken not to leave the wefts sewn in for so long as to cause the hair to mat around the thread. Bonded integrations are removable based upon the method of bonding. Bonded wefts can be removed with special bonding-glue removers, allowing the remover to penetrate and break down the latex in the glue. Usually these removers have a high content of oil, dissolving adhesive, so a less-expensive alternative can be baby oil. Some bonded integrations can be shampooed out, depending on the strength of the adhesive, though it's less common, being that the integrations don't last very long. Bulk hair that has been bonded with clips or beads of adhesive should generally be removed by the same technician that attached them, or someone similarly trained. Professional pre-bonded methods using cold/heat, such as ''Great Lengths'', ''Hair Dreams'', ''So-cap'' and ''Cinderella'', should not be "melted" out of the hair. The individual company's removal solution should be used to saturate the bond, and then crack with a plier type tool resulting in shattering of the bond. The extension hair easily removes at this point. If extensions must be removed and solution is not available, ethyl alcohol, hand sanitizer or acetone will break down most pre-tipped bonds. Metal bonds such as Hair-locs and Eurolocs are released by the plier which is used to smash them on. Sometimes a regular plier can be used in the opposite direction to release, or a hot iron can be touched to the metal to melt the wax inside releasing the bond off. Simply 'pulling out' bonded integrations can result in damage to the underlying natural hair, even [[alopecia]]. ==Sources== * {{cite book | last = Alpert | first = Arlene | coauthors = Milady Publishing Company | title = Milady's Standard Cosmetology | publisher = Milady Publishing Company | date = 2002 | isbn = 978-1562538798 }} ==External links== *[http://www.morbidoutlook.com/fashion/articles/2000_08_synthetic.html Morbid Outlook article on Synthetic Hair] [[Category:Hairstyles]] [[Category:Wigs]] [[Category:Human appearance]] [[de:Haarverlängerung]] [[ru:Наращивание волос]] [[sv:Hårförlängning]] [[ja:ヘアーエクステンション]]