Combing through information on hair extensions online, the term weft cannot escape your eyes. But what exactly is a weft and what are wefted extensions?
Traditionally, fabric was made by interlocking yarn vertically and horizontally on a loom. Weft was the technical term used to refer to the horizontal yarns that were woven to make the fabric.
Similarly, loose synthetic or human hair is knitted with yarn horizontally (the parallel thread being the weft and the hair lying vertically) to hold individual strands of hair firmly in place.
Wefting presented the best way to organize loose human or synthetic hair to a product that is usable as a hair extension.
Consequently, wefted extensions refer to hair that that has been sewn or woven to create a product that can be mounted into women’s hair to achieve the desired look.
Types of Wefted Extensions
There are different ways to which a weft can be done.
Machine Weft Hair
Machine weft hair means that a machine is used to sew the hair in one long width of individual strands of hair to make a hair extension. The final look is more like that of a curtain and it can be very long.
By all standards, it is the most common method used to make hair extensions. Machine weft makes it possible to sew in hair to make a very seamless flowing hair extension that gives the hair extension a very natural look to it.
Machine weft hair extensions are the most reliable hair extensions in the market by all standards.
Besides, you get to have relatively thick/dense hair extension as the machine can stitch in a reasonably large amount of hair firmly into place.
What’s more, when there is a need you need to fill up just a small section of your hair with an extension. You can cut through the weft with a pair of scissors without having to damage the edges of the weft.
Skin Weft Hair
In skin weft hair, hair is bonded together by a polyurethane tape that looks more like skin, hence the name skin weft.
You also need some special adhesive tape to mount on these hair extensions.
The downside is, they don’t last long on your hair – a week at most.
Hand Tied Weft Hair
Hand-tied wefts also known as micro weft is made possible by weaving hair on strands of fishing lines skillfully by hand.
However, there are several pros and cons to it; it is costly even though it’s much thinner than machine weft extensions.
Besides, you cannot cut through the weft to get small portions to fix onto your hair. By doing so, you will have damaged the weft, and the hair on the extension will fall off.
The thinness of hand tied weft hair makes it unnoticeable mounted on your hair correctly giving a much more near-natural look.
You also significantly reduce hair bumps that are a result of thick weft extensions.
How to Apply the Various Wefted Extensions
Wefted extensions are clipped, taped or sewn onto your natural hair.
Clip in hair extensions is primarily machine weft extensions. They come in batches of small widths.
On one end, you see the weft (the sewn side) and a clip. Whereas on the other end is the hair type of your choice hanging loosely.
You can easily apply it on your hair by fixing the clip on your hair.
Clip in weft extensions offers the easiest way to have hair extensions on as they are easy to apply and remove without having to get professional help at a salon.
However, they offer the least permanence when it comes to hair extensions.
If you are the kind of person who is less comfortable with hair extensions on your hair but at the same time wouldn’t mind the revamped look hair extensions can provide, then clip in weft extensions offer the best option as you don’t even have to sleep with it on your hair. What’s more, they offer the least damage to your hair.
Tape In Hair Extensions
As the name suggests, they come with a tape/glue on the wefted end.
A DIY is impossible for this type of hair extensions as precision is required to align the taped end with the roots of your natural hair. And yes, you also need help with removing it.
Utmost carefulness should be taken when lifting this tape off in weft hair extensions. When poorly done, a lot of damage can be inflicted on your hair.
Sew In Hair Extentions
Sew in hair extentions can be either machine weft or hand tied weft extensions.
Your choice largely depends on two things: How deep your pocket can get.And how bulky or less bulky you want your weave to look.
They are sewn on a pre-woven braid on your hair.
Why is the Type of Weft used to Make a Hair Extension Important?
- The type of weft used to join in hair to make an extension is essential for three reasons precisely; it determines how strong the hair extension will be.
- It determines the appearance/look of your hair extension
- It allows you to select the method that will be used to mount it on your hair.
The Do’s and Don’ts to Maintaining Wefted Hair Extensions.
- Brush or comb them at least twice a day to avoid knots.
- Use hair products with a lot of moisture on them.
- Wash them gently with a shampoo (avoid rubbing)
- Do not comb through it while it’s wet. Wet hair is fragile and easily breaks away.
- Make a simple large braid when you go sleep.
- Avoid chlorinated water at all costs. It’s advisable to wear your swimming cap on tightly when swimming.
There are several other ways to mount a hair extension on one’s hair. However, wefted extensions offer the most natural look to hair extensions.
They also offer an array of options for color effects and volume.
Lastly, wefted extensions are applied on or very close to your scalp. Therefore, to minimize damage to your hair and scalp. Consider getting professional help from a salon when applying, washing and removing the weft extensions.
