In this article
The right extension method can give you length, density, or a whole new texture — but the trick to keeping it gorgeous is knowing how your particular install actually wants to be cared for.
Walk into any conversation about extensions and you’ll hear the same six methods come up: sew-ins, toppers, micro-links, fusion, tape-ins, and clip-ins. Each one attaches differently, lives in your hair differently, and asks for a slightly different routine. Below, we break down all six — what they are, who they suit, and exactly how to keep them looking salon-fresh.
One thing worth saying up front, because it shapes every choice you make: at Prarvi, every method uses 100% human Indian Remy hair. That means the cuticles all run in one direction, so the hair behaves like your own — it can be washed, heat-styled, and worn for months when you treat it well. We frame everything by hair type (fine, coarse, straight, wavy, curly), never by ethnicity, so you’re matching to how your hair actually behaves.
A quick word on texture & colour
Before you pick a method, know what you’re buying. In nature, human hair comes in only three textures — straight, natural wave, and natural curl. Every other pattern you see (deep wave, body wave, kinky curly, and so on) is steam-set: a permanent, water-friendly texture created with steam, not chemicals. Natural hair colour is Natural Black (#1B); every lighter shade, from caramel to platinum, is achieved by lifting and bleaching.
So “virgin” (single-donor, never permanently dyed) is not the same as “raw.” We reserve raw / unprocessed only for genuinely natural-black, natural-texture hair. If you want to understand the difference before you commit, our raw vs. processed hair guide lays it out plainly.
The six types of extensions, decoded
- Sew-in (weave): Your natural hair is braided flat to the scalp and wefts are sewn onto the braids. Best for thicker, coarser hair that can hold a braid; gives the most dramatic length and density.
- Toppers & top pieces: Clip-on pieces that sit on the crown to add coverage and volume exactly where you want it. A favourite for fine hair or anyone noticing less density up top.
- Micro-links (i-tips / beads): Small strands looped through your own hair and secured with tiny beads — no heat, no glue. Gentle and reusable; great for fine-to-medium hair.
- Fusion (keratin bonds): Individual strands bonded to your hair with keratin. Seamless and long-wearing; usually best on medium-to-coarse hair that can carry the bonds.
- Tape-in: Thin wefts taped on either side of a section of your own hair. Fast to apply, lies flat, and re-usable at every move-up. Lovely for straight-to-wavy, fine-to-medium hair.
- Clip-in: The commitment-free option — clip them in for the day, take them out at night. Perfect for events, travel, or testing a length before you go semi-permanent.
Shop by method whenever you’re ready: micro-links, tape-ins, toppers, and natural virgin bundles for sew-ins. Curly-textured? Start with our afro collection.
Sew-in: the high-impact classic
Because a sew-in lives close to the scalp for weeks at a time, the care is as much about your hair underneath as the wefts on top.
- Soothe an itchy scalp gently. Dab a little lightweight oil (a few drops of coconut oil on the fingertips) onto the itchy spot. Don’t scrub — aggressive rubbing loosens the braids, exposes the tracks, and frizzes the hair.
- Wash about once a week. Use a mild, sulphate-free shampoo and always follow with conditioner to keep the wefts supple.
- Dry with care. Blot with a microfibre towel rather than rubbing, keep the blow-dryer on low-to-medium heat, and never sleep on soaking-wet hair. If it’s slightly damp, wrap it in a silk scarf to cut friction against the pillow.
- Detangle bottom-up. Start at the ends and work toward the roots so you ease tangles out instead of dragging them down.
- Leave colour & perming to a pro. Don’t lift or chemically process at home — book your stylist.
- Re-tighten every 6–8 weeks. As your natural hair grows the braids loosen, so a maintenance visit keeps the look seamless.
- Rest between installs. If your own hair feels stressed, take the braids down and give your scalp a proper break before re-installing.
How to keep every other method looking new
- Toppers & clip-ins: Remove them before sleeping and before workouts. Store flat or hung, brush with a loop brush, and wash only when product builds up — far less often than your own hair.
- Micro-links: Be gentle around the beads when brushing, avoid heavy oils and conditioner directly on the attachment points, and see your stylist for move-ups as your hair grows out.
- Fusion bonds: Keep conditioner and oil off the keratin bonds, dry the roots so moisture doesn’t weaken them, and have a professional remove them — never pick at a bond yourself.
- Tape-ins: Use sulphate- and oil-free products near the tabs (oil dissolves the adhesive), sleep with hair loosely tied, and book re-tapes every 6–8 weeks.
Across all methods the golden rules are the same: sulphate-free, oil-free near attachments, low heat, detangle from the ends, and dry before you sleep.
Not sure which method — or which shade?
Matching texture and colour is where most extension regret begins. Rather than guess, order a shade & texture match sample first so the wefts disappear into your own hair. Browsing colour? Our blonde extensions are lifted to shade, so plan a little extra TLC for bleached hair.
For salons & stylists
If you install professionally, single-donor consistency and predictable lift are what keep your clients coming back. We supply salons and stylists directly — reach out through our wholesale program to talk volume, textures, and lead times.
A note on what extensions are — and aren’t
If you’re reaching for extensions because of thinning or hair loss, know this: extensions, toppers, and wigs are cosmetic hair pieces, not a medical treatment. They add coverage and confidence, but they don’t diagnose, treat, cure, prevent, or reverse any hair-loss condition. For thinning hair specifically, our guide to extensions for thin hair covers the gentlest methods.
Frequently asked questions
How long do extensions last? With good care, high-quality human-hair extensions can last several months to a year. Clip-ins and toppers, since they’re removed daily, often last the longest.
Can I heat-style and colour them? Yes — because this is 100% human hair, you can flat-iron and curl with heat protection. Colour and lifting, though, should be done by a professional to protect the hair.
Which method is least damaging to my own hair? Clip-ins are the gentlest because nothing is permanently attached. Among semi-permanent options, micro-links and tape-ins are popular for being heat- and glue-free or low-impact.
How often should I wash extensions? Less often than your natural hair — roughly once a week for sew-ins, and only when product builds up for clip-ins and toppers. Always condition afterward.
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References & further reading
Shopping for raw single-donor Indian hair?
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