What Are Keratin Microbeads Extensions?
Keratin microbeads extensions are a premium hair extension method that uses tiny, bead-like attachments made of keratin—a natural protein found in hair, skin, and nails—to securely attach extensions to your natural hair. Each microbead is carefully threaded onto a small section of your hair along with the extension strand. The bead is then gently clamped shut to hold the extension in place.
Key Features of Keratin Microbeads Extensions:
- Natural Look and Feel: The keratin microbeads blend seamlessly with your natural hair, making the extensions virtually undetectable. They move naturally and allow for versatile styling options.
- Gentle and Safe: Because keratin is a natural substance, it’s gentle on your hair and scalp. The beads don’t require any harsh chemicals, reducing the risk of damage.
- Long-Lasting and Reusable: Keratin microbeads extensions are durable and can up to three months with proper care. Additionally, the extensions can be reused during your next application, making them a cost-effective choice.
- Customizable: The beads are available in different colors to match your hair, and the extensions themselves come in various lengths, textures, and shades, allowing for a personalized fit.
How Do Keratin Microbeads Extensions Compare to Other Techniques?
Keratin microbeads extensions are a great choice because they’re safe, look natural, and last a long time. Let’s see how they stack up against other types of hair extensions.
Vs. Tape-In Extensions
- How They Attach: Tape-in extensions use sticky strips to stick the extensions to your hair. The sticky stuff can have chemicals that might hurt your hair and scalp. Keratin microbeads, however, use tiny beads that don’t need any glue or chemicals, making them a safer choice.
- How Long They Last: Tape-ins can lose their stickiness, especially if you wash your hair a lot or use hot styling tools. Keratin microbeads stay in place longer, so you don’t have to worry about them coming loose as often.
- Reusing: Both types can be used again, but keratin microbeads are easier to adjust without slipping, so they last longer.
Vs. Clip-In Extensions
- How Long They Stay: Clip-ins can be taken out at the end of the day, but if you use them a lot, they can tug on your hair and cause damage. Keratin microbeads stay in your hair for months, so they’re more secure and kinder to your hair.
- How They Look: Keratin microbeads blend better with your natural hair because they’re attached in a way that’s less noticeable. Clip-ins can sometimes be seen or feel less secure, so they might not look as natural.
Vs. Sew-In (Weave) Extensions
- How They Attach: Sew-ins involve braiding your natural hair and sewing the extensions into the braid. This can pull on your scalp and hurt your hair. Keratin microbeads are put in strand by strand, which is much gentler and more comfortable.
- Comfort: Keratin microbeads are lighter and more comfortable to wear, especially if you have a sensitive scalp. Sew-ins can feel heavy and tight, which can be uncomfortable.
Vs. V-Light Hair Extensions
- How They Attach: V-Light extensions use a UV light and a specialized adhesive to attach the extensions to your hair. While this method is innovative, the adhesive used is similar to the gel used in nail applications, which is known for its strong chemical composition. This can be concerning because nails are much thicker and more resilient than hair, meaning these strong chemicals could easily damage your more delicate hair strands over time.
- Long-Term Effects: The long-term effects of V-Light extensions on natural hair are still largely unknown. Given that the adhesive is similar to nail gel, which can be harsh even on nails, there’s a real concern about how it might affect the hair structure over time. Hair is much thinner and more fragile than nails, so it could be more susceptible to damage from these chemicals.
- Weight and Comfort: V-Light extensions are designed to be lightweight, which is a plus, but keratin microbeads are also light and comfortable, with the added benefit of being safer for your hair and scalp without the use of potentially harmful adhesives.