Keratin Bond Extensions Made Me Feel Like Myself Again After Losing My Hair to Chemo (2024)

Few ideas are more enticing than waking up with shampoo-commercial hair every morning. And while there are plenty of styling products and tools that can get you closer to that goal, none will get you there faster than professional hair extensions.

As a recent cancer survivor—a journey that lead to the loss of my hair—I'd been interested in getting extensions for months. And after plenty of research, I decided to try Great Lengths keratin bond extensions at Rossano Ferretti Hairspa at the Park Hyatt in NYC. Unlike glue-in or tape-in extensions, bonded extensions use keratin to fuse the hair to your natural strands. They tend to last longer than other alternatives on the market and, since the bond is made up of keratin instead of synthetic glues, are less damaging to the hair.

Keep reading for everything you need to know about keratin bond extensions—straight from pro hairstylists Kristina Noto, Rita Hazan, and Ryan Trygstad—along with my full breakdown of the process.

What Are Keratin Bond Extensions?

Keratin hair extensions are semi-permanent, single strands of extensions that are attached to your natural hair using a bonded attachment site and a thermal machine. They allow you to add color, volume, or length to your hair without the chemicals or heat that can lead to damage. "They're typically made up of real human hair that is processed for ideal color," says Hazan.

"The attachment is a keratin protein bond, so it's made to mimic the molecular structure of our hair," says Noto. "It's made of keratin, which is what our hair is made of, too."

Not only do keratin bond extensions mimic the look and feel of natural hair, but they also act like natural hair. Noto explains that our hair expands and contracts between 5-7 percent when it's wet compared to when it's dry. "This attachment does the same thing; it loosens when wet and expands with the hair. Then, when it's drying, it contracts again like the hair actually does," she says. This contracting and expanding allows the bond to breathe with the natural hair, which is important for avoiding damage to your real hair.

The Benefits

"Keratin hair extensions are the lesser of all evil on your hair, and they're low-maintenance," says Hazan. "They're extremely natural-looking when done correctly and perfect for someone who wants longer, thicker hair." Noto adds that they're more comfortable as well: "There won't be moments when the attachment is too tight and chokes the hair or moments when it's too loose and the attachment slides off," she says.

• Can add length and volume to the hair
• Can be customized to match natural hair color
• Provide a more natural look compared to other extensions since the bond is close to the root and allows for free movement
• Wrapped around your natural hair, leading to less damage
• Can be curled, flat ironed, or styled just like natural hair
• Low maintenance—no in-salon maintenance visitsnecessary
• Last up to six months with proper installation and aftercare

Who Is a Candidate for Keratin Bond Extensions?

Just about anyone can be a candidate for keratin bond hair extensions. Whether you have thin hair and want more volume or short hair and want to add more length, the bond extensions can meet your needs.

"Extensions come in so many textures now to match any wave pattern, which is how they look so natural," says Trygstad. "With dense hair, you may need to add a little more strands to match the texture, whereas with thinner hair texture, a little goes a long way because most people just want length and a little bit of thickness."

What to Expect During Installation

At my initial consultation, Noto and I discussed my desired hair length, tested the density of my hair, and color-matched my future extensions to my natural hair. Since I'm growing out my natural hair again, it's soft and thin. So we wanted to keep the extension hair lightweight and similar to the feeling of my natural hair to encourage growth.

Noto added the hair layer by layer using a measurement tool, ensuring each piece of hair was the same density throughout. She explained that the thermal machine used to soften the attachment and mold the extensions to the natural hair "doesn't get any hotter than a curling iron or a flat iron, and it doesn't touch your hair."

The process took about six hours, from washing my hair to walking out the door with my new length. I didn't feel any discomfort or pain during or after the process, and after about two weeks, I'd forgotten it wasn't my real hair.

Before and After Results

Before the extensions, my hair was about 4 to 5 inches long and extremely thin. I was insecure about the lack of volume and how my scalp would peek through.After the extensions, my hair is about shoulder length and hides the gaps where I once saw through to my scalp.

Keratin Hair Extensions vs. Traditional Hair Extensions

While there may be tons of different types of hair extensions on the market, keratin hair extensions are the only real long-lasting extensions, and they're also considered the least damaging for your hair. "The other permanent ones used to be silicone hair extensions, which, it turns out, aren't great for your hair," says Trygstad. Now, keratin hair extensions are the go-to for movie premieres and red carpets—they're so common, in fact, that you probably don't know your favorite celebrity even has them on.

Like temporary types of extensions—including tape-in extensions and clip-in extensions—you can air dry, straighten, curl, and style keratin hair extensions with heat just like you would with your own hair. (You should definitely avoid letting them tangle, or "yanking" them since the extensions are fastened in with bonds. But other than that, you can style them as per usual.)

How Long Do They Last?

Keratin bond extensions typically last around 3–5 months, depending on how well you take care of them. They may even begin falling out or loosening, in which case it might be time for a trip to the salon. (They could potentially last longer than that—Trygstad says "the slower your hair grows and the less you do to it, the longer the extensions last.) You have to get them removed in a salon—stylists will use special solutions to soak 'em, and tools—so don't try on your own.

The Cost

Keratin bond extensions can cost anywhere from $800 to $3,000, depending on the amount of hair used, length, and more. Each hair extension process is different, so the cost can vary. For an estimate, you'll want to consult with a stylist.

Aftercare and Removal

With proper aftercare and proper installation (we highly recommend Great Lengths extensions and stylists), bonded extensions can last 4-6 months. Each installation and application is customized, so the wear for each person can vary. Noto explained how we naturally shed 100-150 human hairs a day, so even with extensions, shedding is to be expected. It is important to brush through the extensions three times a day with the recommended brush to avoid the hair tangling that comes with natural shedding.

I was advised to shampoo in small motions, avoid hard scrubbing at the attachment site, and always dry the attachment site immediately after showering. I didn't notice a huge change in my daily routine compared to the steps I took before the extensions.

Great Lengths uses a custom removal solution, and each GL stylist is certified in properly removing the bonds while keeping your natural hair as strong as possible. Noto says the removal is as important as the application if you want to avoid damage, so you should visit a certified stylist.

Potential Side Effects

In extremely rare cases, keratin hair extensions may cause damage, although it's far less common compared to other types of extensions. "Keratin hair extensions can potentially damage your hair," Hazan says. "Particularly if you leave them in for too long of a stretch of time, and if you never let your hair breathe and grow without the heavy weight of long extensions."

The Cost

Depending on what your desired result is, they can cost anywhere from $500 (a "half-head" for some added volume and fullness) to $3,000 for a full head of extensions. (Sometimes, even more than that.) Since keratin hair extensions are the highest quality extensions you can get, they definitely don't run cheap.

The Final Takeaway

As a recent cancer survivor who lost her hair due to chemotherapy, keratin bond extensions were the perfect option for me. I was nervous to get any type of hair treatment as my hair is in the process of growing back, but the extensions have restored my confidence—they allow me to have great hair without changing my routine. I recommend these extensions to anyone interested in upgrading their hair without chemicals or dyes.