Italian hair extensions: benefits, step-by-step instructions, results. Helpful advice on how to choose quality materials.
Italian hair extension is a procedure that involves attaching donor strands to relatives using melted keratin. At the place of their connection, capsules of minimal size, barely visible to the eye, are formed in the form of a kind of cocoon, which do not cause any inconvenience during wearing of the hair and, due to their low weight, provide the effect of their weightlessness. Hair after extension can be worn for at least 4 months. Further, step-by-step instructions on how to perform the procedure, advice and recommendations from a certified master with 10 years of experience, including abroad.
Benefits of Italian Hair Extensions
The photo shows how hair extensions are made using Italian technology.
Luxurious hair is the standard of female beauty. This explains the enormous popularity of the building procedure. There are many techniques, but the most popular is still Italian. The technology is gentle and at the same time allows you to reliably fix donor strands.
TOP-8 advantages of hair extensions using Italian technology:
- Fast transformation … The procedure is carried out quickly enough. Depending on the speed of the master's work and the number of donor strands, after 2-3 hours the image of the girl changes dramatically, she becomes more feminine.
- Increasing the length of curls … This is one of the main reasons why more and more women decide to resort to such a procedure. By the way, hair extension is carried out even for short hair, the main thing is that their length is at least 4-5 cm.
- Thickening of hair and giving it volume … Often, even with great lengths, the hair is devoid of thickness. In this case, the extension procedure also comes to the rescue, which allows you to quickly increase their volume.
- Correction of hair defects … With the help of donor strands, it will be possible to hide alopecia areata, which a woman may encounter during pregnancy, lactation, against the background of hormonal disruptions. It is very important for baldness to combine the hair extension procedure with mesotherapy.
- Highlighting and coloring without painting … The effect is achieved by alternately attaching strands of different colors. Fortunately, the palette of natural sections for extension allows you to choose any shade. If you wish, you can even diversify your hair with bright multi-colored strands.
- Ombre without hair coloring … There are special sections on sale that have already been painted using the ombre technique. Thus, there is no need to paint your hair.
- Creating a creative hairstyle … By means of capsule hair extensions, you can add originality to your appearance, for example, highlight any asymmetric zones. You can build up strands on any area - temples or the back of the head, lengthen the bangs.
- Saving a bad haircut … Previously, in such a situation, a woman had no choice but to wait for her own hair to grow back. Now there is no need to make such sacrifices: it is enough to use the extension procedure to regain an attractive appearance.
All these benefits are complemented by the absolute safety of the Italian capsule extension procedure. The client's hair does not suffer the slightest harm, since the melting point of keratin is lower than, for example, the temperature of hot air from a hair dryer. Italian technology is more gentle on hair than daily styling.
Along with the popularity of the procedure, the profession of a hair extension master is becoming more and more popular, because it is not only profitable, but also has significant bonuses. For example, medical education and mastering the basics of working as a hairdresser are not required, there is an opportunity to work in a free schedule - both in the salon and at home, minimal investments are needed, because materials and equipment are relatively inexpensive.
Disadvantages of Italian hair extension technology
In the photo, the girl has a strong hair loss, which is a contraindication to the extension procedure
The Italian extension technique is unique, as it is suitable for almost any type of hair. However, if they are severely thinned, weakened, the procedure will have to be postponed.
Extension is also not carried out with severe hair loss, the presence of skin diseases, trichotillomania - a tendency to pull out hair.
If the hair is burnt as a result of dyeing, it is recommended to consult with the master to assess the possibility of hair extension in your particular case.
Step-by-step hair extension algorithm using Italian technology
Hair extension is not as simple a procedure as it might seem at first glance. One wrong move, and as a result, the lock will not hold. Therefore, it is not enough to buy quality materials and choose the right ingredients, you need to hone your hair extension technique well in practice.
Selection of hair for extension
Photo of Slavic hair extensions
Natural hair for extensions is selected taking into account the texture, length, density and color of the client's hair.
Hair sellers and extension specialists may offer options such as Asian, European, South Russian and Slavic cuts. However, it is the Slavic woman that is considered the standard, since its texture is as close as possible to the structure of our hair, which allows you to create a natural hairstyle.
Advantages of Slavic hair extensions:
- Shiny and silky to the touch;
- Not treated with chemicals and silicones;
- Ideal for the texture of the natural hair;
- Do not get confused and do not get pushed;
- Are not afraid of coloring, toning and highlighting;
- Suitable for all styles, weaves and high hairstyles;
- They can be curled and straightened with an iron;
- Comfortable to wear and clean;
- You can visit the beach, pool, sauna;
- Practically not combed out;
- Suitable for multiple over-extensions - 2-6 times.
When choosing a cut texture for extensions, it is taken into account whether the woman's hair is curly. If yes, use wavy or curly strands to create the most natural hairstyle.
Note! Asian cuts are very hard and differ in texture from native hair for Slavic girls. In addition, they are treated with silicones, so in the process of wearing, they quickly lose their attractive appearance, become very dry, and get very tangled and fluffy. For this reason, it is better to buy a Slav for hair extension.
Depending on the thickness of the client's hair, the number of strands required for the procedure is determined. The thicker the hair, the more weight you need to cut. But the length of the curls also affects this parameter, for example, for a short haircut, more donor strands will be needed to hide the transition that inevitably occurs during the procedure. The minimum permissible length of native hair is 4-5 cm, if they are shorter, donor strands cannot be fixed.
The length of the hair for extension is determined based on the wishes of the client. However, it is important to take into account the initial state of the hairstyle. If the girl has a short haircut, you cannot build up very long strands, otherwise there will be too much load on the roots.
The hair palette for extensions is quite extensive, but all tones are subdivided into black, blond and light brown. The last color is the hardest to match.
In the photo, the hair palette for extensions
In addition to natural hair cuts for extensions, you can buy already encapsulated strands.
Choosing keratin for hair extensions
In the photo, Italian keratin for hair extension
To attach donor strands to your own hair extensions using hot technology, keratin granules are used, the size of which is 1-2 mm. Italian material is considered the best. This is a refractory polymer substance that provides reliable and strong fixation of the strands, does not cause allergies and does not harm the hair.
Previously, Italian keratin for hair extensions was presented only in transparent form, but now you can buy material in black, brown or beige. Thus, the capsules can be made as invisible as possible, given the color of the hair.
It is very important to choose a quality hair extension material. Often, fakes made of plastic and silicone are sold under the guise of keratin. In the first case, the strands will still hold, however, such capsules squeeze them strongly and provoke hair brittleness, since they are not elastic, and when corrected, they are poorly removed.
Silicone is generally not durable. After the first shampooing, it begins to crumble, and accordingly, the hairs from the donor strands fall out. And if you dye your hair, the capsules will collapse completely.
Fakes are made very high quality, but they can still be distinguished by eye. High-quality transparent keratin has a bluish tint and cannot be cloudy. But the color is always matte.
Choosing Hair Extension Tools
In the photo, hair extension tongs using Italian technology
Before proceeding with the procedure, you should prepare all the necessary tools and accessories:
- Hair extension tongs … A device with which keratin melts and a capsule is created on the donor strand. They have a temperature regulator, but, as a rule, build-up occurs at 220-230 ° C.
- Comb with fine teeth and metal ponytail … Required to separate hair layers in the process of creating horizontal rows and attaching donor strands.
- Separating discs … Allows you to clearly separate the amount of hair that is needed to fix the donor strand, as well as protect the scalp from keratin and hot forceps.
- Hairpins for fixing strands … Essential for fixing the bulk of the hair during the keratin extension procedure and creating a distinct row for attaching donor strands. They also fix the separating discs.
- Scissors … Required for encapsulating hair, cutting off excess keratin, creating even, uniform capsules.
- Hair remover … The tool facilitates the correction process. It is enough to apply a small amount on the capsules, as the keratin begins to soften, after which the donor strand easily slides off the native one. Has a gentle composition and does not harm the hair.
- Hair Removal Pliers … They are used in the correction process to facilitate the process of removing donor strands without harming the native hair.
Some experts use another tool in the process of hair extension - special forceps to form capsules. However, they turn out to be flat with sharp corners, which is uncomfortable to wear and brings some discomfort. Therefore, it is recommended to form the capsules by hand.
Preparing hair for extension
In the photo, shampoo with tamarind for high-quality degreasing of hair before extension
First of all, you should wash your hair well. For this, it is recommended to use a deep cleansing or degreasing shampoo. Ideal if there is a product marked “For oily hair”.
Accordingly, if the goal is to eliminate excess fat as much as possible, you cannot use a moisturizing shampoo, products with oils designed to care for dry and dehydrated hair. Also, before building, it is forbidden to apply conditioner, balm or make masks.
Next, the hair is dried with a hairdryer and combed thoroughly. If the curls are curly, they need to be straightened.
Cut encapsulation for extension
Encapsulation is the process of preparing the cut for the procedure, which consists in the formation of keratin capsules on the donor strands.
How to form capsules on hair for extensions:
- Before starting the procedure, the cut is well combed.
- Further, a strand of the required thickness is cut evenly from it. Cut as close to the elastic as possible, which fixes it, so as not to lose the length of the hair.
- With tongs, preheated to 220-230 ° C, 2-3 keratin granules are melted and carried out on top of the strand several times to evenly distribute the hot substance.
- After applying keratin to the strand, while it has not yet hardened, press this place with your fingers and form a flat capsule. You can also use special tongs to create it.
- After formation, the capsule is trimmed evenly and excess keratin is removed.
Thus, all the strands are encapsulated, and then sorted by length, laying out on the table.
Fastening donor strands
The photo shows how hair extensions are made using Italian technology
The procedure starts from the occipital zone, moving towards the crown and temples. Attachment of donor strands is carried out in the direction from bottom to top in rows.
Step-by-step hair extension algorithm using hot Italian technology:
- Comb the hair thoroughly.
- Use a comb to separate the first bottom layer at the back of the head, where the donor strands will be attached.
- Kick the rest of the mass higher.
- Separate a small section of hair for hair extensions and pass it through the hole of the special separator disc so as not to stain your head with keratin and curling iron and not burn your skin.
- Melt the keratin on the donor strand using an extension curling iron, which should be preheated.
- Attach the donor strand to yours, not reaching the roots of 2-3 mm.
- Run a couple more times along it at the place of attachment with a hair extension device to thoroughly melt the keratin - for about 3-4 seconds.
- Roll the capsule by hand (a kind of cocoon) or form it with special forceps-clips (flat capsules).
- Remove the spacer disc from the strand and separate the next strand.
- Extend hair in this way along the entire parting, repeating the steps described above, until you complete the horizontal row.
- Gently comb through the curls and separate a new layer of hair on top. It should be 2-4 cm higher than the previous one.
- Build 2-4 rows of strands using the described technology, and then proceed to the side zones.
Important! If ordinary capsules are inconvenient, ask the master to make hair extensions using microcapsules. In this case, thinner donor strands will be used. Also, microcapsules are used to lengthen the bangs.
If you have a short haircut, hair extensions can be done, but the hairs should be at least 4-5 cm long. In this case, the procedure will be directed not only to lengthen the curls, but also to hide the traces of extensions - the so-called transitions. For this, the master must be sufficiently qualified.
Note! You can wash your hair one day after hair extension.
How is hair extension done?
Photo of overcapsulated hair
As the hair extensions are worn, they grow back, and the places of their attachment, that is, the capsules, go down. Therefore, over time, namely 3-4 months after the procedure, it is necessary to carry out a correction and re-enlarge the donor strands.
Correction of hair extensions is carried out using a similar technology, however, 2 new stages are added - the removal of old strands and their recapsulation. A special solution is applied to the capsule to soften and partially dissolve keratin, then it is squeezed several times with special forceps and the donor strand is gently pulled together. Thanks to the use of the solution, the process goes like clockwork.
The removed strands need to be prepared for the re-hair extension procedure. To do this, the old capsules must be cut evenly and new ones formed.
The hair should be carefully combed out of the remnants of hair extensions and keratin. Then the head must be washed using a degreasing shampoo. When the curls are completely dry, you can proceed to the repeated extension procedure, which is carried out according to the technology described above.
Results of Italian hair extensions
Photos before and after hair extensions using Italian technology
Hair extensions are the shortest path to luxurious hair. You can radically transform in 2-3 hours. This is the only way out for women with short hair who want long curls, or owners of thin and sparse strands, devoid of volume.
The use of keratin allows you to reliably fix donor strands to your relatives, so you can wear such hair for 4 months, or even longer. It all depends on the growth rate of native hairs, their loss and renewal. Someone may need a correction earlier - after 3 months, someone is satisfied with the result within 5 months.
The length of time you wear your hair extensions depends on the quality of the materials. If bad keratin was used, the capsule will begin to collapse very quickly - crumble into a whitish powder, in strands - disintegrate into hairs. In this case, there is nothing left to do but to remove the donor hair, cut off the bad keratin and contact a qualified master who will re-extend it.
Also, the result of the procedure depends on the skill of the specialist. If he weakly twists the capsule, an air vent will form inside, which will very quickly provoke its sliding. As a rule, this situation occurs when using too much keratin and very thick donor strands. And vice versa, if the strands are excessively thin, and there is little keratin, the attachment will turn out to be unreliable, as a result, they will be pulled out along with the roots of the native hairs.
The attractive appearance of the head of hair is also ensured by proper care of the extended hair.
It is important to follow a few rules when washing your hair:
- First, you should comb your hair well and throw it back.
- The shampoo lathers in the hands and spreads in the direction of hair growth.
- The product should be applied carefully, it is forbidden to curl the curls.
- When using a conditioner (balm, mask), it is applied to the entire head of hair, excluding the areas of attachment of donor strands, since they are able to soften the keratin capsules.
- After shampooing, the hair is soaked with a towel without rubbing.
- It is best to let your hair dry naturally, but you can also use a gentle blow dryer.
Note! It is forbidden to go to bed with a wet head.
Hair extensions can be styled in the usual way using thermal devices, but their temperature should be below the melting point of keratin - that is, up to 230 ° C. At the same time, make sure that the heated parts of the instrument do not touch the capsules. Be sure to use heat protectants, but do not put them on capsules.
How hair is extended using Italian technology - watch the video:
