How to choose hair extension tongs?

Today, modern beauty salons offer a lot of various services that not only allow you to look the way the client wants, but also do not carry the slightest harm to health. Hair extension has become a part of modern life, it is used almost everywhere. This procedure has not been considered difficult for several years now, especially if the craftsmen work on proven and professional equipment using high-quality tools. Next, let's take a closer look at which hair extension tongs and related materials are best to choose.

Before moving on to choosing the right extension tongs, let's take a look at the current techniques that are in use today. So, there are hot and cold strand extension techniques. Let's take a closer look at each of the techniques below.

The advantage of this extension technology is that it uses special materials that melt under the influence of high temperatures. That is, due to melting, the material is soldered to natural hair. Curls that are built up in this way are considered very durable, they are worn for a very long time and are easy to care for.

As for the cold technology, in comparison with hot technology, it is considered to be more gentle. When using this technique, slightly different materials are used that allow you to attach hair extensions to natural hairs without using high temperatures.Cold build-up can be done using Japanese, Spanish, Hollywood, African American, or tape techniques. Each of the methods has its own nuances, pros and cons, and also differs in the types of materials used.

The choice of tools and equipment for hair extension primarily depends on the technique that will be used by the master. When choosing hot extensions, a classic set of tools is used.

• Gun with a special adhesive. As a rule, this is a heated resin, which allows you to qualitatively bond the material with natural curls.
• Extension pliers. Most commonly used in Italian technology.
• Pliers for removing build-up material. This tool is used after softening the hair extensions capsules. With their help, donor strands can be removed delicately and safely.

For cold build-up, the following equipment should be in the master's arsenal:

• tongs for fastening the finished material with natural curls;
• hook for easy work with hair bundles;
• clip for fixing hair bundles during the procedure.

Today, the market for tools for stylists and hairdressers offers a huge variety of tools for high-quality hair extensions. The large assortment also includes extension pliers, which come in different types and modifications.

I would like to note right away that the forceps must be selected taking into account which extension technology will be used.

• Mechanical pliers. They are considered the most inexpensive and profitable, they were developed earlier than all other types. Very similar in appearance to repair pliers. As a rule, they are used in Japanese and Italian extension techniques, they carefully hold the material beads together with natural hair. With their help, you can gently form a capsule, however, if the master is self-taught or is just starting to engage in hair extension, then with the help of such forceps, you can only aggravate the situation by making the capsule very palpable on the head, in addition, it will not hold well.

• Ultrasonic forceps. This type is considered the safest for the hair structure. Their principle of operation is that an ultrasonic wave is converted into thermal energy, in contact with keratin. These tongs do not act on natural hair, but only on the polymer component. High-quality ultrasonic forceps are very comfortable to work with. They have special indicators that allow you to control the entire process of work, while not harming even more already damaged hair. When using these ultrasonic forceps, you can create absolutely imperceptible and invisible capsules that will be worn for an average of 4-5 months. The disadvantages of this type include the fact that it can only be used to build up; these forceps are not suitable for correction.

• Hot extension pliers. The principle of their work is quite simple: they fasten the artificial or natural material to the client's hair. Such forceps come in three different modifications: with a recess for special capsules, with rounded ends and with a flat blade. Hot extension pliers are available with or without a thermostat, which, therefore, determines the price. Of course, it is best to choose a curling iron with a thermostat, as they allow you to select the optimal temperature without harming your natural hair.

Any extension pliers can differ in body, surface, quality, type of metal used and other functions used. On average, tongs for building and removing curls cost from 2.5 to 20 thousand rubles. There are also more expensive options from foreign manufacturers.

The master should select the tongs for building and removing artificial curls, taking into account:

• device modifications, its capabilities and characteristics;
• personal preferences for the most comfortable work.

Moreover, this type of product should be purchased only in trusted places. Be very careful with Chinese tongs. Although very affordable, they are short-lived and in some cases can damage your hair. However, this does not mean that all Chinese firms are bad. We list the most popular brands that produce hair extension tongs.

• Loof. This brand has several types of forceps. There are compact micro forceps, ultrasonic and universal ones. Tongs from this brand are suitable for working with keratin and any kind of resin.
• Hairshop. This brand has inexpensive hot extension tongs. They are made of durable and high-quality steel, with their help, you can easily form keratin capsules of almost any size. Most models weigh no more than two hundred grams.
• Moser Mini. This German brand is highly regarded for its quality hair extension equipment. Extension devices do not spoil even the most brittle strands, allowing them to be lengthened by an average of 10 cm.

Whichever brand is chosen, sometimes it is more convenient to purchase a ready-made kit that includes everything you need. It is best when all the tools are from the same company.

As for the extension devices, they are ultrasonic and laser. The advantage of the former is that they can grow several strands at once in comparison, for example, with the most common tongs, which lengthen each strand separately.

For complex and time-consuming work with extensions, you can purchase ready-made kits or kits, which include:

• professional tongs;
• hair separators and clips;
• hairbrush (usually metal);
• special liquid for softening and removing keratin;
• glue for fastening strands;
• keratin capsules;
• artificial or natural hair strands.

On average, the price of a set from a good brand is 3-5 thousand rubles, but there are also more expensive options, reaching 25-30 thousand.

A good master, who is a true professional in his field, will always take care of his reputation, and therefore it is very important for him to purchase high-quality and proven products for hair extension. So, the hair extension procedure is expensive, it requires a great concentration of attention and special skills, which is why there is absolutely no point in saving on high-quality consumables and equipment.

The same goes for the forceps. It is best to purchase safe and versatile tongs that allow you not only to fasten the strands, but also to carefully remove them in the future. However, one should not forget that it is very important to consider which extension method is chosen and what kind of hair the client has. Some craftsmen have several types of forceps in their arsenal, which are adapted to the most varied needs of clients.

Next, watch the video review of the hair extension tongs.