Growing long hair proves to be a rather long and tedious process, as the human hair grows only about half an inch per month. So a woman with ear level hair will have to wait for at least two years before getting long, cascading hair. However today, there is no need of waiting for long, as it is possible to elongate your hair with the help of hair extensions.

With hair extensions, you not only get longer hair, you also add some pizzazz to your existing hairstyle. There is no particular hair type which can use hair extensions. This is because practically all hair types support hair extensions. Many women are however apprehensive on using hair extensions as they fear of damage to their natural hair and hair loss. However, hair extensions do not cause hair damage, as the extensions are applied 1/4 inch from the scalp, and not on the scalp.

When you consider using hair extensions to elongate your hair, you have to first do some research to find out the different types of hair used in making hair extensions. In addition to this, you'd also have to get some idea about the different types of attachment methods, the amount of experience and education the hairstylist has, the cost of the hair extensions, and if there are any maintenance schedules associated with the hair extensions.

Hair extensions may be made from human or synthetic hair. Usually synthetic hair is used to add high fashion colors to the hair like blues and pinks. However, if you want a natural look, where the hair extensions look like your natural hair, it is better to choose human hair extensions.

Human hair extensions again come in different textures and grades. It is important that you choose human hair extensions that are strong and healthy, so that they last long and can be worn without any drying or tangling. The most famous and widely used human hair extensions are European human hair extensions, as they are of good quality.

Hair extensions are attached to your hair using one of three basic techniques. They can be weaved in, bonded or fused in strand by strand. These techniques are again found in many variations, and are called by different names.

When hair extensions are attached using fusion, small sections of your hair are attached using heated adhesive sticks and specific glue. This will never be known by anyone, unless you tell others about it.

Weaving of hair extensions is done by creating a corn row or track around the head, close to the scalp wherein the hair extensions are sewn on the tracks. Here your own hair lies on the tracks, to give a natural look.

In the case of bonding, bonding glue is used on the weft of the extension hair, to be applied to the root of your hair. Wefts are horizontal hair strands that are attached to the top of vertically flowing hair strands that can be handmade or machine made.

Each of these methods of attaching hair extensions has their own disadvantages. If not done properly, there is a chance of your hair extension falling out, or causing damage to your natural hair. Moreover, the additional pressure to your scalp, from the weight of the hair extensions, you may find some thinning of your natural hair and even headaches.

Some people also suffer from allergies to the chemicals used with hair extensions. So make sure you discuss the disadvantages and advantages of hair extensions with your hair stylist, before you actually use hair extensions to avoid ending up surprised or horrified at your new long hair look.