Fusion Hair Extensions

Frequently Asked Questions

Fusion Hair Extensions Pros and Cons

As with any type of hair extension method, there are pros and cons.  It is always advised to look at all the different options and their pros and cons before making a decision on which type of hair extension is the best for you.

Pros:

• Fusion extensions can give you longer, fuller hair that lasts up to 6 months
• The bonds are applied close to the scalp which means they can look very natural
• Unlike some types of hair extensions which use large wefts, the hot fusion extensions can be styled in multiple ways including up-dos and braids.  This is thanks to the way that the strands are small and flexible.

Cons:

• The high heat used to melt the bonds can be damaging to the natural hair
• If the fusion extension bonds are not applied by a certified or extremely experienced technician, there  is a risk of burning the scalp or natural hair
• They take a long time to apply - due to the application process being so technical it typically can take 4-5 hours for a full head of fusion hair extensions
• They are expensive and costly to maintain, these hair extensions can not be done at home!  
• Although the process itself is simple, it also takes a long time.  Each bond has to be soaked in a solution and then cracked apart with a specialist tool to release the hair.  
• Fusion hair extensions should not be worn for a prolonged period of time as they can cause long term damage and strain on the hair roots.
• The bonds cannot come into contact with any heated appliances such as straighteners, tongs or hair dryers.
• With newer, less damaging types of hair extensions, your stylist may suggest you look at other options

How do you take care of fusion hair extensions?

It is important to take very good care of any type of hair extensions and fusion hair extensions are no different.  Using hair products that are specially formulated for hair extensions are recommended, in particular sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner.  The bonds can become loose and slippery if they come into contact with products like conditioner and oil, so just apply these from the mid-length of the hair and down.

The hair extensions should be treated gently and not tugged at when brushing.  Wait until the hair has fully dried before brushing, then gently comb it from the bottom of the hair, upwards.  All types of hair extensions should basically be treated with just as much care as you would give to your natural hair, if not more so.

Can you reuse fusion hair extensions?

Yes, as the hair grows out it is recommended that every few weeks the fusion hair extensions are  removed and then reapplied with new bonding adhesive closer to the scalp. The hair can generally last up to 6 months if it is taken care of properly.

Are cold fusion hair extensions damaging?

Cold fusion extensions are a relatively newer method of applying for the bonded hair extensions.  Unlike the hot fusion extensions where the applicator is around 220 degrees, the cold fusion applicator uses ultrasonic waves instead of heat to melt the keratin just enough to make it pliable.   The ultrasonic waves then directly attach the extension to the root of the natural hair without the keratin tips actually mixing with the real hair. The cold fusions can look more natural than the hot fusion because it is easier for the technician to create a neat, flat bond.  

Cold fusion extensions are less damaging than hot fusion extensions for a couple of reasons.  The heat from the hot fusion extensions can potentially be very problematic as if it is not applied correctly the heat can burn the hair and scalp causing permanent damage.  The fact that no heat is used on the real hair means it is a much safer, gentler method of fusion extensions. The removal process of cold fusion extensions is a lot gentler than hot extensions as it does not require the use of acetone to break the bonds, acetone is a damaging chemical to natural hair.

How long do fusion hair extensions last?

The length of time that fusion extensions last will vary from person to person depending upon how quickly their hair grows.  It will also depend upon the quality and length of the extensions, but with a good quality set they could last from 3-6 months.  As the bonds grow out with the hair they can be removed and reapplied closer to the scalp. This should typically be done every 4-6 weeks as at this time the bonds become visible from the grow out.

How many fusion extensions do I need for a full head?

The amount of hair extensions that you would need for a full head would depend on a couple of things.  Firstly, the quality of the hair and how mand tip at the end to hold them all together. Many strands are in each pack - for example, some companies would supply extensions where each pack contains 50 hair extension strands, all of which have the small, flat keratin bonds at the tip which hold all of the strands together.  Using this basis as an example, a full head could take between 100-180 hair extension strands.

The second factor to consider is the look that you are achieving to desire and how thin or thick the natural hair is.  For someone looking for a very full head of hair then more packs of the hair extension strands would be appropriate.

How much does it cost to get fusion hair extensions?

Fusion hair extensions should always be applied and removed by a professional technician, preferable a certified fusion extension specialist, the process is too complex to be done at home and could result in the hair and scalp being damaged.  The price of the fusion hair extensions will vary depending upon the hair you purchase and the technician that installs them. It is always worthwhile to research multiple salons and to check the reviews. In larger towns and cities there will likely be more salons and technicians who specialise in fusion hair extensions and can probably offer better rates.  However, just because somewhere is cheap, it does not necessarily make it the right option - research is key!

What are fusion hair extensions?

Fusion hair extensions are a great way of achieving longer, thicker hair that can last up to 6 months, although this type of hair extension is known to be more damaging to hair than other types of extensions such as the tape-ins, clip-ins, and Wire.  The hair comes in packs of small amounts of hair extension strands which are usually made of around 20 strands of hair with a solid keratin protein bond at the tip of each one. The application process involves layering a small portion of hair that is the same size as the extension on top of the fusion piece and then use a specialist tool to apply heat which melts the keratin bond and fuses it to the hair.  A technician will then use their fingers to mold the bond onto the hair to make sure it is flat and smooth, so that it looks natural below the natural hair.