4c hair extensions
Winter is almost over, which means spring is around the corner. One of my favorite seasons to try out all the different short 4c hairstyles and medium-length hairstyles I share on here.
While I do love a good protective style or a natural-looking wig, I always look forward to rocking my real hair. And today is no different. Just with a little twist!
Now that my hair is finally long enough, I am ready to try out clip-in hair extensions.
The natural hair industry has come a long way in the last few years and now it is very common for black women with 4b-4c hair to wear human hair extensions in their natural texture rather than a wig.
And I welcome this development. Done are the days when the only choice we had was virgin human hair that didn’t match our natural hair texture at all and meant we had to relax our natural hair to blend it.
Now there are different types of extensions that perfectly match any curl pattern. So, I figured I’d share the three most popular 4c hair extensions with you.
Can you get extensions on 4c hair?
First things first. Yes, you can get extensions on 4c hair. That is the beauty of the 4c hair type, that it is very versatile and can achieve many different natural hairstyles and protective styles.
Because of the much tighter curls and dense hair texture, 4c hair can hold hair extensions easily.
While there are many different types of hair extensions, women with 4c hair usually choose one of the following three: human hair bundles, clip-in hair extensions, or tape-in hair extensions.
That is because these styles look very natural and easily blend in with your own hair. To ensure that your extensions are properly installed and last a long time, make sure to get them done by a hairstylist.
What is the healthiest form of hair extensions?
The healthiest form of hair extensions for 4c hair are clip ins because they are only temporary and do not pull or tug if installed correctly. Clip-in hair extensions are very handy for special occasions or whenever you want to try out a new hairstyle without committing to it yet.
They are easy to put in and take out by yourself and are quite affordable. And if you choose the right texture, like kinky curly human hair, then they should match your hair color and hair texture perfectly.
What are the most damaging hair extensions?
The most damaging form of hair extensions for 4c hair in my opinion are tape in hair extensions. For one because the adhesive tape is applied using heat.
Secondly, once the tapes are in you have to minimize the use of moisturizers and oil on your hair and scalp in order to avoid breaking down the adhesive. And lastly, the removal solutions for tape-ins are mostly made out of alcohol, which can lead to scalp irritation and dryness.
So if you are wondering if tape-ins damage 4c hair, it’s important to understand that it’s not so much the installation that is damaging, but more so the effect that the style has on your natural hair care.
Do hair extensions help 4c hair grow?
Yes, hair extensions can help 4c hair grow. Hair extensions, such as weaves or wigs double as a protective style because your natural 4c hair is tucked away. During that time your natural hair is not manipulated or combed which promotes length retention, resulting in 4c hair growth.
However, that is not the case for hair extensions such as clip-ins or tape-ins. Here your own hair is in between the wefts and therefore more likely to be styled more often.
Best forms of hair extensions for 4c hair
After doing some research, I found out that there are 3 types of hair extensions that are popular in the natural hair community. While you may know about the first one, number two and three may be new to you. Here are the three best forms of hair extensions for 4c hair:
1. 4c human hair bundles
The first type of extension is 4c human hair bundles, also known as a weave. This type of hair extension is what we have all used before with the difference that now it is available in a kinky curly hair texture and not just in a straight human virgin hair texture.
4c hair bundles are usually installed by sewing the weave directly to your natural hair. Because your hair under the weave is braided it also doubles as a protective style.
While the sewing method is very secure and easy to do it’s also the most restrictive if you ask me. Because you need to make sure to cover the tracks you can’t try out as many different styles.
2. Tape-in 4c hair extensions
In contrast to the first method of 4c hair extensions, the second one seems much more intrusive to 4c hair. Tape-in extensions have become very popular amongst black women because they offer a very natural look.
They are installed by using adhesive weft tape that is fastened to your natural hair, using heat. This allows for relatively easy removal and can last up to 8 weeks if you take good care of them.
I, personally don’t feel ready to try out 4c tape in hair extensions yet.
However, I recently started watching a YouTube channel about it and am loving that tape-ins offer a perfect match for most natural hair types. This allows you to rock many fun and chic hairstyles. So, I may try it out soon and report back to you.
3. 4c clip-in hair extensions
So now on to the star of the show. Afro kinky clip-in hair extensions have been on the market for a while now and many natural hair girlies vouch for them.
The quantity equals a full bundle of hair on metal clips that you simply attach to your own natural hair. The texture blends perfectly with your natural hair, which allows you to rock various styles.
In addition, it’s great for shorter hair like mine because you can choose from different lengths. I have been using kinky curly clip-ins for more than a year now and love the extra volume it provides.
How do you wear 4c clip-ins?
The easiest way to wear 4c clip-ins is of course with your hair down. You put the majority of the clip-ins into the back of your head and lower sides to give your overall hair a longer length.
However, you can also try out some fun 4c hairstyles using your natural hair clip-ins. Hairstyles such as half up and half down look super cute with hair extensions. And in this video, you’ll find even more hair inspiration.
Do clip-ins damage natural hair?
Now, before you go and purchase your own 4c clip-in hair extensions, I must mention the following. Clip-ins do not damage natural 4c hair more than other forms of hair manipulation.
This means that daily stretching, detangling, and fidgeting can be harmful to 4c hair textures in the long run. After all, your hair is out and not tucked away in a protective style. However, if you take proper care of your 4c hair, you should be fine.
Can your hair grow with clip-in extensions?
The simple answer is yes! Your hair can absolutely grow while wearing your clip-in extensions because they are not glued to the roots of your hair.
However, it’s important to remember that the common challenge with growing your natural hair is not the growth part, but its length retention.
This is why you want to make sure to continue your 4c hair care routine at night and utilize the right hair products.
Why is my 4c hair so thin after extensions?
The reason why your 4c hair is so thin after extensions are that the hair extensions are too heavy for your hair.
If your hair is already very thin or brittle, you want to avoid a hair style that adds more weight to your hair strands, like a weave. That tends to weigh your hair down and cause strain to your scalp, often leading to hair loss.