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Everyone dreams of having lustrous and voluminous hair that reflects confidence and style and hair extension is a great way to enhance the length and volume. The extensions are so versatile for styling and provide a go-to solution for many hair problems like hair loss. Extensions include attachment of the extensions to natural hair. This type of extension does not hurt if you can do a proper installation. While it results in picture-perfect hair, there is a common concern that many people face mild discomfort and pain during the initial stages of wearing extensions.
If you are new to hair extensions, one question may echo in your mind which is about the duration that extensions take to seek relief from discomfort. So, How Long Does It Take For Extensions To Stop Hurting? Let me help you find out the duration and leave you with a hair extension journey that is very comfortable! The write-up will also discuss why extensions hurt and provide you with ways to ease the process and find relief sooner.
How Long Does It Take For Extensions To Stop Hurting?
It is very natural to experience hurt or discomfort caused by hair extensions during the adjustment period. The discomfort experienced caused by this type of extension can range from mild irritation to a more severe level of pain. The duration within which the extensions stop hurting or causing discomfort can vary from person to person. It depends on various factors, including hair type, the type of extensions, personal tolerance level, installation method, cause of hurt or discomfort, and how appropriately the extensions were applied.
It takes a few days to weeks based on the cause of the hurt or discomfort. In general, it takes 4 days for hair extensions to stop hurting.
If the pain does not stop after 24 to 48 hours, you should take a break by removing the hair extensions to let your natural hair breathe for some days or switch to any other hairstyle that puts less tension on your hair. Among different types of hair extensions, clip-in extensions hurt the least but are not very long-lasting like semi-permanent or permanent hair extensions. So, you can go for clip-in hair extensions.
Hair Extensions: Why Does It Hurt?
Hair extensions are strands made from artificial or human hair that are added to existing ones to increase its length, volume, or style. These can be made from various materials, such as human hair, synthetic hair, or a combination of both. Extensions are attached to your hair using methods like weaving, clipping, bonding, or fusing. One of the drawbacks of extensions is that it hurts. It hurts because of the following factors:
1. Adds Extra Weight
One of the important factors behind why hair extensions hurt is because they add extra weight to hair. Fine or thin hair is transformed into thicker, fuller hair and it takes some time to adjust with the extra weight.
2. Tension Applied To The Scalp
During the installation of extensions, tension is applied to the scalp since they are too close to the roots. If you make your extensions very tight, the extensions cause hurt. So loosening the extensions will ensure you don’t feel any discomfort once those extensions have been adjusted and are resting against the scalp.
3. Improper Installation Of The Extensions
With an inexperienced stylist, extensions are more likely to hurt. It is because of their improper installation of extensions. So, it is necessary to choose an experienced stylist to complete the process to help ensure that your scalp is not being pulled.
4. Allergic Reactions
Allergic reactions caused by the adhesive or bonding from micro bead hair extension can sometimes be the factor behind the redness, itching, discomfort, and other hair damage. As a result, the extension hurt. It is possible with micro rings or microtubes and nanorings and also if you are sensitive to metals.
5. Heavy Extension
If your extensions are very heavy for your hair type, it will result in a painful experience. With fine hair and thicker extension, the scalp faces trouble adjusting to the extra weight. To properly sustain the weight of each extension, it is important that you do not add too much weight or else you feel pain as it pulls down on your scalp and causes hair damage.
6. More Sensitive Scalps Than Others
Many people have more sensitive scalps than others. It is one of the factors for which your eye extensions may initially hurt. This awkward pain will go away with time as you get adjusted to the weight.
Damage By Different Type Of Hair Extensions
Not all extensions are the same, and different types of hair extensions will cause different bit of pain depending on the extensions themselves. So let’s see the type of potential discomfort that you might feel when you have them on:
Clip-In Extensions
Clip-in extensionsare the least damaging hair extension type which does not require heat, chemicals, or adhesives. It adds to the length and volume of your hair avoiding the chances of long-term damage. These are usually easy to apply and remove on their own. Any hurt or discomfort can be minimized quickly.
Tape-In Extensions
Tape-in extensions also do not cause much damage since these are applied with the help of adhesive which does put not much strain on your hair. These need proper maintenance for the prevention of damage and discomfort with tape. Even if the extension causes hurt or discomfort, you get used to the feeling after a few days. But there is the obvious case of feeling discomfort with tape on your scalp.
Sew-In Extensions
Sew-in extensions are less damaging if the process is completed in the right manner. It is applied by braiding the hair and sewing the extensions onto the braids after that. While the extensions can be heavy, cause tension on the scalp, and result in hurt or initial discomfort due to lack of proper maintenance.
Fusion Extensions
Fusion extensions include the use of a keratin bond to attach a few tiny strands of extensions to your natural hair. Even though they may appear natural, the procedure, which calls for heat and chemicals, can cause pain if done incorrectly. A slight pain or discomfort can be caused which will make you uncomfortable initially but it goes away within a short period.
Halo Extensions
There are no attaching techniques included with halo extensions, these are gentle on your natural hair. Rather than that, a wire including attached extensions is wrapped around your head and the positioning is done in such a way that it rests on the top of the hair. The only bit of pain that you might face in the beginning is a slight discomfort but the way it is attached to your scalp ensures the weight is evenly distributed throughout your crown.
10 Tips To Prevent Hair Extensions From Hurting
These are some tips that can prevent extensions from hurting:
1. Use Good Quality Hair Extensions
Go for good quality extensions the source of which is human hair or synthetic hair. Then the extensions can give a natural look and minimize the chance of any kind of hurt and discomfort.
2. Use A Scalp Spray
Using a scalp spray on the scalp where you feel discomfort can give you relief. This type of spray makes the hair soft with moisturizers in the spray.
3. Use A Wide-Toothed Comb Or Soft Brush
Using a wide-toothed comb or soft brush can be a good way to prevent the pulling of extensions. You should start from the hair ends and continue to work to the top of your hair. While being extra careful when going through the extensions.
4. Wrap A Warm Damp Towel
Using a warm damp towel on the head can remove the pain caused by extensions. But before wrapping the towel on your head, you should squeeze a possible amount of water from the towel as the steam of the towel is enough to provide relief from the extension’s hurt.
5. Go Through Scalp Massage
Going through a scalp massage while shampooing and conditioning can be a good way to prevent hair extensions from hurting. With the help of your fingertips, get to massage the scalp where it hurts. As a result, it can soothe the discomfort.
6. Oil The Scalp
Regularly oiling the scalp with oils like peppermint oil, tea tree oil, braid spray, etc can help to prevent hair extensions from hurting. The oil can make the hold of extensions loose. Use a few drops of oil on the scalp to get rid of discomfort.
7. Avoid Pulling Or Tugging
Pulling or tugging extensions will cause the extensions to hurt more as they are attached to natural hair. You have to be gentle to avoid pulling or tugging the extensions.
8. Take Painkillers
Taking painkillers helps you with severe tension headaches. You need to take those as the extensions adjust and you get used to having extensions in your hair. Even though you could use over-the-counter medication, you should not take it often. Rather than relying on medication, you should try to endure the hurt or discomfort if you can.
FAQs
It will feel completely natural and settle after a few days. Follow up with your stylist if any of the beads or bonds continue to bother you after this point; the bead or bond can be removed as a remedy. Losing up to 10 single-strand extensions in the first week is very normal.
This is pretty much what you can expect every time you get these redone. But with the growth of your hair, the bond will subside even more and become much more comfortable.
Your new extensions may appear to be fuller and thicker the first time you wash and blowdry them since the cuticles of the hair will eventually thicken up and result in more fullness.
Brush a small quantity of oil into the middle and ends of your hair every day, distributing it evenly. By morning, you will notice the change. Your extensions will absorb any residue product, be absolutely soft, and maintain their full volume, making those styles ready.
The most damaging type of hair extension is microbead or micro loop. These damage your hair to a great extent. The hair extensions are not safe at all. It is a really risky approach to add extensions which could seriously harm you.
Final Thoughts
Getting extensions can be very exciting for you since it gives you a new look that makes you feel amazing. While during the adjustment period, you may get discomfort or hurting experiences. The duration within which the extensions stop hurting or causing discomfort is different for different persons depending on factors like hair type, the type of extensions, personal tolerance level, installation method, cause of hurt or discomfort, and how appropriately the extensions were applied. The hurt and pain caused by extensions generally stay for 4 days and then stop hurting. Again, sleeping with all types of hair extensions is not possible. So, avoid sleeping with extensions, braid loosely, and wear those during the day. Follow several tips to take care of and maintain the extensions.
Key Points
- Hair extensions are artificial or natural hair strands that are added to existing hair to increase its length, volume, or style using various materials, such as human hair, synthetic hair, or a combination of both.
- The extensions cause hurt by adding extra weight to natural hair, applying tension to the scalp, improper installation by inexperienced stylists, allergic reactions, heavy extensions, and having more sensitive scalps.
- The types of hair extensions include clip-in extensions, tape-in extensions, sew-in extensions, fusion extensions, halo extensions, etc. while clip-in extensions are the least damaging hair extension type.
- Generally, it takes 4 days for extensions to stop hurting. The duration depends on hair type, the type of extensions, personal tolerance level, installation method, cause of hurt or discomfort, and how appropriately the extensions were applied.
- The easiest way to get rid of extension pain due to sleeping is to braid your hair loosely before sleeping.
- Prevent your extensions from hurting by using good quality hair extensions, scalp spray, wide-toothed comb or soft brush, wrapping a warm damp towel, going through scalp massage and oiling the scalp, etc.
