If you follow fashion, you have undoubtedly witnessed the parade of starlets sporting hair extensions to boost the look of their own locks. Everyone from Beyonce to Kate Middleton has been photographed wearing the tell-tale swatches of real and synthetic hair. Jessica Simpson has even launched her own line of hair extensions. The idea of transforming short hair to long hair in a jiff appeals to consumers across all demographics, but evidence suggests the growing hair trend may have costly consequences.

Hair extensions cost between $300 and $3500, depending on whether the client chooses real or synthetic swatches. A partial head of hair starts at $150, while a full head of hair starts at $1300. Add to the base price the cost of labor, and the average client spends $800 to $1600. Monthly touch-ups add $20 to $50 to maintain the extensions.

These salon costs are quantifiable, but there is no telling the emotional cost that long-term use of hair extensions may cause. Salons use several methods to attach the extensions to the client’s real hair, including sewing and weaving. The most popular methods involve bonding with a form of hot glue and cold fusing with a form of protein-based glue.

As it turns out, the very weight of the hair extensions can cause the follicle to atrophy and prevent new hair growth. In severe cases, women develop a hair loss condition known as traction alopecia, and it can worsen and become permanent alopecia. Thus far, the only medical treatments available for alopecia have been topical minoxidal or hair transplants.

You can try less expensive clip-on extensions as an alternative, but some experts think the ultimate solution is to avoid hair extensions altogether.

Each generation embraces beauty treatments that are both ill-advised and laborious, according to UK Guardian columnist Hadley Freeman, author of The Meaning of Sunglass: And a Guide to (Almost) All Things Fashionable. After all, the old adage says, “Beauty is pain.” The hair extensions that currently reign supreme are the equivalent of what tanning beds were to the ’70s, hair perms were to the ’80s and glycolic peels were to the ’90s.

With that said, every generation rebels against the previous generation. Perhaps, the coming year will rush to embrace natural hair as the next best thing.

Are you trying to be patient and let your short hair grow out?  As you wait for it to grow out—hair grows at an average of half an inch a month—you see your favorite stars going from cute bobs to long, luxurious locks in a matter of days.  No, they don’t have magical hair growing powers; they’re probably cheating the system with hair extensions.

Hair extensions today look more realistic than ever.  Many are even made of real human hair, which means you can curl it, straighten it and wash it as usual.  Hair extensions come in a variety of styles, application methods and prices ranges.  Another bonus?  You have more options than the glue and wax versions of the past that would damage your natural hair.  So, if you’re considering adding a little length without waiting for months, check out your hair extension options!

Bonding hair extensions
Hair extensions such as Great Lengths, are made of human hair and attached by a “bonding” method.  Without using glue or high heat, Great Lengths hair extensions are applied with an Ultrasonic machine that bonds your hair and the extension together with an ultrasonic wave.  Sounds high-tech, huh?  The price will astound you, too. Worn by many celebrities (who can afford these!) Great Lengths extensions will cost you $1,200 to $2,000!

Positives: Extensions look and feel very natural, last for months
Negatives: Expensive!

“Loc” style extensions
Known as the “no heat, no glue, no sewing, no braiding” extensions, Hairlocs and MicroLoc extensions are gaining popularity quickly.  With these types of extensions small pieces of hair are inserted in a tiny metal circle that’s the color of your hair.  A human hair extension is then inserted as well.  The metal ring is clamped down so that it stays put and the hair extension will stay in.  This process is repeated all over the head and looks very natural when completed.

Positives: Natural looking, no heat or glue used, can be reused as often as you want
Negatives: Expensive—these extensions can cost up to $500 plus application fees

Clip-in extensions
Even safer than loc-style extensions are clip in extensions, which you are able to take out at night.  Hairextensions.com features an expansive selection of hair extensions ranging in all styles and prices.  The site sells Jessica Simpson’s well-known HairDo brand as well as the brands Put On Pieces (POP), Raquel Welch, and easiHair.  Prices are fairly affordable with pieces staring in the mid-thirties to more extensive pieces coming to $100-200—still much less than the $1,000 you could spend on the loc system.

Positives: Affordable, safe for hair, allow you to change up your hairstyle frequently
Negatives: May not look as natural as permanent extensions, inconvenience of putting in daily

I had the HairLoc extensions last year—which I loved.  If they didn’t cost so much, I would continue to wear them today.  Have any of you ever tried out extensions?  What type of experiences have you had with them?