What to expect during your first install appointment

It's best to schedule a consultation appointment before having your micro-link extensions installed. Stylists use this time to understand what look you are aiming to achieve, color match your hair and texture to the appropriate hair extensions and answer any questions you have.

During a consultation, a hairstylist should also advise if your hair is in a strong enough state where it can handle added micro-link extensions.

If your hair is very fine, thinning or in a weak condition, micro-link hair extensions should be avoided as experts say they may be too heavy against your follicles and can therefore lead to unwanted hair loss or breakage.

However, if your hair is in a healthy, strong state, the extensions -- pin straight to very curly -- can surely be applied.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by MICROLINKS• BALAYAGE•TEXTURE (@slayedby_jassie)

How is it done?

The service generally takes up to four hours. \"Once hair has been prepared as described above, wefts are added row by row working from the nape up to the top and sides of the head,\" explained Salahuddin. Next, the hair is blended and styled as desired.

Experts agree that using 100% human hair leads to a more natural, seamless look.

Following your initial micro-link installation, you should try to come in every 2-3 weeks for maintenance and tightening, as you will experience hair growth in between appointments.

How to safely remove

\"Micro-links should always be removed by a professional,\" said Salahuddin. \"Similar to the initial install, micro-links are removed using a special plier. The pliers will safely open the bead so that it can easily, and without damage slide off of the hair.\"

Once all beads or rings are removed, the hair should be thoroughly detangled, shampooed, conditioned and styled.

\"Nidiyah
ABC News Photo illustration, courtesy of The Mane Loft / Nidiyah Salahuddin
Nidiyah Salahuddin is photographed at The Mane Loft in Cliffside Park, NJ wearing curly microlink extensions.
>

Price range

Factoring in preferred extension type and desired style micro-link extensions can range in cost from $300 - $2500. Most human hair extensions can be reused several times after your initial extension install.

","canonicalUrl":"https://abcnews.com/GMA/Style/micro-link-hair-extensions-read/story?id=79115855","legacySlug":"/style/story/micro-link-hair-extensions-read-79115855","noIndexNoFollow":false},"publishTime":"08:00","publishDate":"07-30-2021","updatedTime":"20:16","updatedDate":"08-04-2022","socialImage":{"alt":"If you are considering getting microlink hair extensions, here's everything you need to know.","credit":"courtesy of Nidiyah Salahuddin / The Mane Loft","ratio":"16x9","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/microlinks2_1627603581215_hpMain_16x9_1600.jpg","width":992,"height":558},"datePublished":"7/30/2021 08:00:00 GMT","video":{"live":false,"id":79115855,"headline":"Micro-link hair extensions explained","mediaAssetTitle":"MICRO LINK HAIR EXTENSIONS","description":"Hair experts explain the the do's and don't of micro-link hair extensions.","duration":"1:15","posterImg":{"url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/default-img-undefined.png","width":608,"height":342},"video":{"feed":"https://service-pkgabcnews.akamaized.net/opp/hls/abcnews/2020/06/200625_gma_digital_boxbraids_,500,800,1200,1800,2500,3200,4500,.mp4.csmil/playlist.m3u8"},"playlist":["77915089","78171382","79063287"]},"relatedItems":[{"contentType":"story","date":"May 26, 2021","headline":"Gwen Stefani ditches signature blonde strands for brunette","section":"style","slug":"/style/story/gwen-stefani-ditches-signature-blonde-strands-brunette-77915089","id":77915089,"image":{"alt":"Gwen Stefani ditches signature blonde strands for brunette","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/gwen-stefani-gty-jc-210526_1622042552975_hpMain_4x3t_240.jpg","credit":"NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images","ratio":"1x1"}},{"contentType":"story","date":"July 28, 2021","headline":"Nordstrom anniversary sale 2021: Shop unbelievable deals on fashion, beauty and more","section":"style","slug":"/style/story/nordstrom-anniversary-sale-2021-78171382","id":78171382,"image":{"alt":"Nordstrom anniversary sale 2021: Shop unbelievable deals on fashion, beauty and more","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/NordstromAnniversarySale2021_v02_KS_1627426719051_hpMain_4x3t_240.jpg","credit":"Tory Burch, Julia Jordan, Vince Camuto, La Mer, Jo Molone London, Tom Ford, Fellow","ratio":"1x1"}},{"contentType":"story","date":"July 26, 2021","headline":"Gabrielle Union-Wade reveals new short haircut, shares inspiring message","section":"style","slug":"/style/story/gabrielle-union-chops-off-hair-inspiring-reason-79063287","id":79063287,"image":{"alt":"Gabrielle Union-Wade reveals new short haircut, shares inspiring message","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/gabrielle-union-01-gty-iwb-210726_1627314804901_hpMain_4x3t_240.jpg","credit":"James Devaney/GC Images","ratio":"1x1"}}],"relatedContentSection":"news","schemaContent":{"name":"Micro-link hair extensions explained","description":"Hair experts explain the the do's and don't of micro-link hair extensions.","duration":"1:15","uploadDate":"07-30-2021","publication":"07-30-2021","images":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/default-img-undefined.png","url":"https://service-pkgabcnews.akamaized.net/opp/hls/abcnews/2020/06/200625_gma_digital_boxbraids_,500,800,1200,1800,2500,3200,4500,.mp4.csmil/playlist.m3u8","contentUrl":"https://service-pkgabcnews.akamaized.net/opp/hls/abcnews/2020/06/200625_gma_digital_boxbraids_,500,800,1200,1800,2500,3200,4500,.mp4.csmil/playlist.m3u8","link":"https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/style/story/micro-link-hair-extensions-read-79115855"}},"playlist":[{"id":"133075455","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"133063114","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"133063086","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"133015093","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132998564","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132998072","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132977374","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132977531","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132962364","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132958371","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132932494","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132927870","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132911868","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132911765","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132880952","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132873763","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132844494","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132840754","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132748964","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132636882","contentType":"story","section":"news"}],"kvps":{"pgtyp":"article","lang":"en","sp":"goodmorningamerica","programmatic":"true","bundleId":"com.abcnews"}},"analytics":{"accountID":"wdgnewwdgnewgmaweb","ns":"gma","pageName":"gma:style:video","pageType":"video","globalSpecVersion":"v1.08","siteDifferentiator":"gma:site","tagID":"g_page01","userABCookie":"0","section":"style","title":"Micro-link hair extensions explained","pubTime":"04:00","pubDate":"07-30-2021","modTime":"16:16","modDate":"08-04-2022","taxonomyTags":"none","id":79115855,"editorialOtherSubjects":"","wordCount":"none","columns":"none","authors":"","authorsUnit":"none","authorsBureau":"none","subBrand":"Good Morning America","provider":"Good Morning America","videoName":"Micro-link hair extensions explained","mediaAssetTitle":"MICRO LINK HAIR EXTENSIONS","videoId":79115855,"mediaOnPage":"video","legacySlug":"/style/story/micro-link-hair-extensions-read-79115855"},"taboola":{}},"request":{"headers":{},"httpVersion":"1.1","method":"GET","url":"/video/79115855","vary":{"host":"www.goodmorningamerica.com","cached":true,"path":"/video/79115855","forwarded-proto":"https","device":"desktop","userab":"0"}},"viewport":{"width":1260,"height":0},"user":{}};