When it comes to the different types of hair extension services available in today’s hair salon industry, you usually have two choices that don’t require any harmful glue or bonding materials — clip in and sew in extensions.

And with hair extensions becoming more popular than ever — in the last two years, there was a 28.5% growth in the number of salons offering them — you might be wondering which of these hair extension options would work best for you.

To help make your decision as easy as possible, here’s a quick guide to the differences between clip in and sew in hair extensions that will help you choose the perfect way to add body to hair for your unique needs:

Clip in hair extensions

By far the most popular choice for hair extensions, clip ins are wafts of synthetic or natural hair attached to clips which are then affixed to one’s hair. They’re easy to put in and can be taken out whenever you want, letting you switch up your style and add body to hair whenever you want. Perhaps best of all, you can wash and style clip in extensions just like you would with your own hair. However, frequent use quickly wears these extensions out — they aren’t meant for long-term, everyday use.

Sew in hair extensions

As their name implies, sew in extensions are sewn into small braids, or tracks, of your natural hair near the roots. These extensions work best on thick, coarse or curly hair — if they’re sewn into hair that’s too fine or smooth, they’ll easily fall out. While this option is more long-term, sew in extensions require a degree of upkeep; you’ll need to visit your salon every six weeks to have the extensions re-tightened.

Have any other questions for us about clip in and sew in hair extensions? Feel free to ask us anything about weaves and natural hair extensions in the comments below.