What is Thermal Bonding?

Thermal Bonding, often referred to as ‘micro-bonding’, is a popular method of applying extension hair to clients of European or Caucasian origin. It can be used to add highlight strands, increase volume and length.

The benefits of bonding are that it allows clients to run their fingers straight through giving an effect of ‘free flowing’ hair. Thermal Bonding is considered suitable for most hair types excluding extremely thick, course or brittle hair.

Suitability

Thermal Bonding may be considered unsuitable by your technician if your hair is over-processed through chemical treatments such as bleaching, perms or relaxing/straightening, all of which can make the hair brittle, or if it has been damaged due to medical problems.

An initial consultation will determine which length of hair to go for and how much you will need depending on your requirements - whether this be to add volume, create highlights or lowlights, or to add length.

The Process

This method attaches a few strands of hair at a time to the natural hair, close to the scalp but not touching it, using a special hot resin formula.

Prior to attaching any extensions, regardless of which method in used, the client’s hair is shampooed, lightly conditioned at the ends and blow-dried with cool air.

Particularly for Thermal Bonding, there should be no traces of oils, moisturisers, gel or mousses on the hair, as this will soften the resin sealant that is used to attach extensions and will cause the seals to break.

Once clean and dry, the natural hair will be sectioned and a few strands will be taken at a time to which the extension hair will be attached. A resin seal is heated normally using a tool such as a ‘connector’, ‘glue gun’ or ‘hot pot’. Once melted it is used to attach the extension hair to the natural hair, close to the scalp but not touching it (normally upto 1cm away). During the application process, a plastic protector is used to ensure that the melted resin does not touch the scalp.

Caring for Thermal Bonded Hair Extensions

Thermal Bonded extensions can last for up to three months although it is recommended that these are removed after eight weeks, in order to maintain the original look. Your natural hair will continue to grow throughout the duration of wear and as it does, the point of attachment of your hair extensions will start to ‘drop’. If they are not removed after 8 weeks, you may find that the resin attachment starts to show.

To maintain a healthy look and good condition, it is recommended that Thermal Bonded extensions are washed on a weekly basis with mild, low pH products. Shampooing less frequently will prevent extensions from wear that occurs naturally by washing. Conditioner should not be used on the bonded parts, close to the scalp, as this will soften the resin and cause the seal attachments to break.

If 100% human hair is used, you can style your hair with heated straighteners and tongs and with a hair dryer. However, direct heat should NOT be applied to the bonded parts, close to the scalp, when blow-drying or using any other heated styling appliances, as this will make the resin seal melt and cause the bonded hair to fall out.

Thermal Bonded extensions require regular brushing for a tidy appearance. It is recommended that you use special Ionic brushes to diminish static from your extensions or a wide-tooth comb to eliminate entanglement that can be caused by ordinary hair brushes.

Any oil based hair products should be avoided as these will cause a ‘barrier’ and stop the extension hair from becoming securely bonded to the natural hair. Your technician will advise you on particular products that may be best for your new extensions depending on which brand of hair they have used.

Clients may benefit by returning to the salon for their first wash to get used to the experience of living with hair extensions.