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Black women have been wearing extensions in forms of wigs and weaves as a protective style for decades. Over the last couple of years, more brands have been emerging specifically focussing on extensions for Type 4 Hair. These textures are usually described as kinky straight, afro curly or coily hair.
In this article, we’ll be covering everything you need to know about hair extensions for type 4 hair.
Why have natural hair extensions become so popular?
Black women typically wear weaves and wigs to protect their natural hair. Which makes styling easier to aid hair growth and prevent damage. It’s also common knowledge that afro textured hair has been hugely discriminated against for decades but that’s a topic for another day. The biggest downside of extensions at the time was majority of brands were focusing on straight, silky and wavy hair. As opposed to textures that actually matched our hair type.
The natural hair movement began in the early 1960’s and re-emerged in popularity in the 2000’s. Women began documenting their journey to achieve healthy, long, luscious locks without having to constantly use chemicals to alter their hair texture. As a result, a market grew for natural hair extensions. Specifically for Type 3 & 4 hair which is usually harder to blend with straight textures.
Fast forward to today and there is a wide variety of hair extensions on the market for natural hair. We’re also seeing more black owned brands who actually understand natural hair and are able to cater to our hair needs. Type 4 Hair is finally being represented! And we’re here for it.
What are the best extensions for Type 4 hair?
1. Traditional Weave also known as Sew-in extensions
This is the most popular method of using hair extensions for natural hair. It also acts as a protective style as your hair is braided closely to your scalp before the wefts are applied. The wefts are sewn onto the braids and a portion of your hair is left out to cover the tracks. This helps to achieve a seamless blend.
| PROS👍 | CONS👎 |
|---|---|
| Great protective style as majority of your hair is tucked away | Inflexible styling options |
| Weave styles have evolved over time i.e. flip over method, versatile sew-in | Scalp can become itchy if you don’t follow a maintenance routine |
| Long lasting style |
2. Clip-ins
Similar to sew-ins, clip-in extensions are wefts of hair attached to small one-inch combs/clips that are applied to your natural hair in sections. The sizes of the wefts vary in size so you can apply them across your hair. Some people braid or twist their hair underneath and then apply the clips on top to protect their ends.
| PROS👍 | CONS👎 |
|---|---|
| Easy Application & Removal process | Can tug on hair if not applied properly |
| Endless Styling Options | Clips need to be re-adjusted daily to stay in place |
| Can be tailored to any head shape |
3. Micro Links
Microlinks are an extension method where the hair is attached with silicone microbeads or microtubes. You don’t need to braid your hair when using this method as the hair is attached to your hair strands and held in place with tubes. This gives your hair the opportunity to grow with the extensions but just be mindful you’ll need to have regular salon visits to move the tubes up as your natural hair grows out.
| PROS👍 | CONS👎 |
|---|---|
| Seamless styling – no lumps or bumps when worn in a ponytail or bun | Can cause tension on your hair as your natural hair grows |
| Lasts up to 3 months with a touch up in between | Doesn’t protect ends as much as other styles |
| Very pricey due to the regular maintenance |
4. Tape Ins
They’ve become more popular over the last couple of years. Tape-ins are small sections of pre-taped hair extensions, about an inch wide, and secured with medical grade glue. Tape-ins can be left in for four to six weeks, depending on your hair texture. They offer a flatter and sleeker finished look as no braids are required for the tape-ins to be applied.
| PROS👍 | CONS👎 |
|---|---|
| Easy installation | Glue can cause damage to natural hair if not maintained properly |
| Lightweight and comfortable | Can be difficult to blend with your natural hair in between washes |
| Easy to style into a bun, ponytail or updo | Can knot easily and become entangled |
What are the least damaging extensions for Type 4 Hair?
Sew-ins and Clip in extensions are by far the best hair extensions for type 4 hair. Mainly due to the fact they add less tension to your scalp and your hair is in cornrows underneath serving as a protective style.
Here are 3 reasons WHY they are the least damaging extensions for your hair:
1. Protective Hairstyle
Sew-ins : You’re hair is usually braided to the scalp which equals to less manipulation and styling apart from your leave out.
Clip-ins : Many naturals have their natural hair in cornrows and twists and use it as a base before applying the clip ins.
2. Versatile Styling Options
Sew-ins : Typically, they haven’t been known to be as flexible but due to some innovation and new styling options. There are different types of sew-ins you can get such as a versatile and flip-over sew in. With these styles, an additional leave out is left at the perimeter of your hair so you can have your hair up in a ponytail or updo when needed.
Clip-ins : They offer you flexibility to style your hair in many ways such as ponytails, buns, half up half down styles etc. The clips usually come in 6 – 10 pieces. This gives you the flexibility to apply them to your hair in different ways to achieve multiple hairstyles.
3. Easy Maintenance
Sew-ins : You can wash your hair as normal with sew-ins without having to go to the salon. It’s helpful to use a shampoo bottle with a nozzle so you can get right into your scalp to ensure it’s completely clean. NOTE : We recommend blow drying the cornrows to ensure they are completely dry as opposed to air drying. As they’re are underneath the wefts, you want to ensure the base is dry to prevent matting or any nasty smells.
Clip-ins : The removal process is less than 5 mins so you can literally remove them and continue with your natural hair routine as usual.
5 Reasons Why We LOVE Clip In Extensions for Type 4 Hair
Clip-in extensions for natural hair have become more and more popular over the last decade. Gone are the days when you tried to blend your Type 3 & Type 4 Hair with extensions that don’t blend with your natural hair texture. We now have a range of kinky, curly and coily hair textures for all hair types.
- Clip in extensions can help you during that awkward transitioning phase when you want to get used to your new hair texture.
- It can also add extra length and volume to your natural hair when trying new hairstyles. This is great for anyone with short to medium hair to add that extra length to complete your desired look. As well as, fine hair naturals who need that extra bit of volume.
- The best part of clip in extensions for natural hair is the styling options are endless and if used correctly – it can aid hair growth.
- Various hair textures for every hair type – the clip-ins are usually classed as afro kinky for 4C hair, coily for 4A – 4B hair types and curly for type 3 hair.
- Easy to use – it’s so easy. They all come with instructions but if you’re a visual learner, jump on youtube, instagram or tiktok for some quick styling options.
Here our some of our favourite brands… we would classify these as some of the best on the market and they have options for 4A, 4B & 4C hair. They’re also black owned brands which is an added bonus.
Read our latest post on How to Rock Clip in Extensions on Type 4 Natural Hair.
Important Factors to Consider before deciding on what Natural Hair extensions to use
Do Your Research:
Read reviews and check social media for people’s true reaction on how they’ve found the hair. It’s not just about what it looks like when it arrives but also how long it lasts. I.e – Does the hair matte or tangle easily? Are the clips comfortable? Are the extensions prone to drying out?
Purchase a texture that matches your hair:
This is really the key, you don’t want to spend a lot of time altering your natural hair pattern to blend with the extensions. Most companies have a guide on their site to help you figure out what texture to purchase. As we mentioned earlier, afro kinky is for 4C hair, coily for 4A – 4B hair types and curly for type 3 hair.
Have a maintenance routine:
Look after your extensions as you would your natural hair. Create a hair care routine that includes cleansing, moisturising and sealing the hair. Remember, to ensure your natural hair is thoroughly dry to reduce matting or damp smells.
Understand what products to use:
Most websites will give you recommendations on what hair products work best for your extensions. We suggest doing some research by watching youtube videos to understand what products other Naturalista’s are using to see what works/doesn’t work.
Lastly, enjoy it! Experiment with different styles and make the most of your styling options.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are Tape-Ins damaging for Type 4 Hair?
Yes and No – it really depends on your maintenance routine. The key with tape-ins is to make sure they’re maintained professionally to minimise damage to your natural hair. You also want to make sure you remove them with a 99% alcohol based solution as opposed to pulling them out.
Other things to consider;
- If you have a dry scalp then stay away from tape ins as the adhesive is sensitive to moisture.
- You won’t be able to oil your scalp regularly to prevent tape ins from slipping out.
- Detangle your hair as regularly as possible to prevent the extensions from matting with your natural hair.
- Sleep with a scarf and/or bonnet
2. Why is my hair thinning after using extensions?
If your hair is thinning then this could be a sign of traction alopecia. Hair extensions can contribute to this form of alopecia and is caused from the pulling of the strands on your hair. If your natural hair is thinning then it’s best to give your hair a break and stay away from extensions. If you continue to use them, it could add more strain to your hair and will lead to thin or bald patches, especially around your edges and the perimeter of your hair line. Note: Once your hair follicles are damaged, your hair will have difficulty growing back, leading to permanent hair loss.
3. What are the easiest extensions to maintain?
Maintaining your hair extensions depends on what style you opt for. Micro links and Tape-ins should be maintained with regular visits to the stylist. Although, you can do some things at home such as detangling and moisturising.
Clip ins and sew-ins can be maintained easily at home with minimal visits to a stylist. Our suggestion is to adopt your natural hair routine whilst wearing these extensions.
4. What hair extensions look most natural?
This depends on the extensions you decide to go with. Some would say micro links and tape-ins are the most natural looking. Due to the fact they are applied closely to your scalp and makes it easy to style your hair into a bun or ponytail. However, you can still achieve a seamless look with weaves and clip-in extensions. You can make either look natural but you want to ensure whatever style you choose you have a great maintenance routine to minimise damage to your own hair.
5. How do I sleep with extensions?
As you would normally, get a scarf and bonnet so it stays in place overnight and not rub against your pillows. If you’re not a fan of scarves, purchase a silk pillowcase instead. Depending on the look you’re trying to achieve, you can put them in flexi rods, rollers, twists or braids in preparation for your hairstyle the next day.
Our Final Thoughts
We love extensions and have made no surprise that clip-ins are our no 1 for type 4 naturals. Extensions can add volume and length to your hair whilst serving as a protective style. Whatever extensions you choose you should always have a maintenance routine in place. With clip-ins and sew-ins, it’s easy to maintain by yourself. But if you decide on tape ins and micro-links, make sure you visit your stylist regularly for your maintenance routine.
There have been cases when extensions have led to damage so pay attention to your hair whilst wearing the style. Don’t keep the style in for too long and make sure your stylist doesn’t apply too much tension to your hair to prevent excessive pulling and tugging.
Have you tried natural hair extensions? What’s your favourite type for natural hair?
