Human hair extensions create beautiful long hair styles instantly
Looking at virtually all print media such as newspapers, magazines, and catalogues, there seems to be one thing in common when it comes to haircut styles. The long haircut style is everywhere. So what are you supposed to do if you don’t have long hair and you really want the long haircut style? Well, let’s see, human hair grows about ½” per
month, so if your hair is at ear level, that would be almost a two year wait for that ‘hair cascading down your back’ look. And of course, by the time you grow your hair out, the short haircut style will be in style.
“Don’t just add length to your hair. Hair extensions offer a simple solution for fine hair and can add a little pizzazz to thick, curly or wavy hair in any color or style.”
rod sickle
Owner
Rod & Company Images
Rantoul, Ill.
In today’s society, two-year waits are OUT and immediate results are IN. The beauty industry instantly recognized the demand for long, natural hair, and the hottest trend was born: human hair extensions. Hair extensions aren’t just for lengthening hair, according to Rod Sickler, owner of Images by Rod & Company and a member of the Sexy Hair Concepts art team.
“Any type of hair can support hair extensions,” says Sickler. Sickler makes hair extensions easy by creating cutting-edge hairstyles for her clients. Some examples include straight straight hair, bouncy curls, and eye-catching color enhancements with the use of different highlighted and highlighted hair extensions. He describes the hair extension process as very laborious and challenging, requiring many hours and various techniques to complete. The rewards are many, as he can reinvent hair, modify techniques, and meet the needs of his clients.
One of Sicklers’ hair extensions customers, Holly Leach of Rantoul, Illinois, says she wanted hair extensions because she was ready for a change and wanted Sickler to reinvent her look by adding thickness and length to her thinning hair with European Hair. Extensions. She was absolutely amazed with the results. “I walked into the (Rod & Company Images) room looking to the side and walked out looking totally different,” says Leach. Leach has had her hair extensions for about 5 months now with no issues or complaints. She maintains the hair extensions with Sexy Hair Concepts Soy-Free Conditioning Shampoo and Moisturizers, and uses blow dryers and curling irons with no problem. Leach concludes: “Hair extensions are worth the time and money when you can get fabulous looking long hair instantly.”
“Hair extensions are a great self-esteem booster because they give women the opportunity to style long hair without having to wait”
Gin Werr
Manager, The Spa East Bank Club, Chicago, Ill
Some women are concerned or have heard that hair extensions can damage their natural hair or even lose it. Guinevere Werr, Manager of The Spa at the East Bank Club in Chicago, Ill, says that the fusion application method used by Sickler of So.Cap., an Italian company, does not create any damage to natural hair since it is applied ¼ ” from the scalp and not directly on the scalp. Werr helped Sickler apply brown hair extensions with some highlights extensions to her sisters’ hair. She adds that Sicklers’ hair extension clients have lost almost no extensions hair and have had very few maintenance issues.
So where to start if you are thinking about getting hair extensions? You should research the different types of hair used for hair extensions, the different types of attachment methods, the education and training of stylists, maintenance schedules, and of course, the cost.
There are a lot of different types of hair that are used for hair extensions. There are human hair and synthetic hair. Synthetic hair is used to add high fashion colors such as pinks and blues. Generally speaking, if you’re going for natural, it came out of my head, look, you should go with human hair. Human hair comes in many different textures and grades. Human hair must be strong and healthy to produce extensions that will last and be worn without tangling or drying. European human hair is well known as quality human hair used for extensions.
There are three basic techniques for attaching hair. They are melting or thread by thread, weaving and bonding. There are many variations of these techniques, and they are sometimes called by different names.
Fusion/Strand by Strand: This process is performed strand by strand in small sections using heated adhesive sticks or specific glue for hair extensions. The hair extension is added directly to your own hair. Sickler uses the melting method of the Italian company So.Cap. The hair is attached to about ¼” from her scalp and looks totally natural. Sickler comments, “Nobody can visually see that you have hair extensions. It’s up to you if you want everyone to know.”
Weaving is a process in which a row or track of corn is created around the head and close to the scalp. The extension hair is sewn in the tracks. Your own hair sits on the slopes for a natural look. Bonding is a process where bonding glue is applied onto the hair extension weft and then applied to the root of your hair. A weft is horizontal strands of hair attached on top of vertically flowing strands of hair. Wefts can be machine made or hand made.
There are some drawbacks to each of these methods. Sometimes if the hair extension application method is not done correctly, the hair extensions will simply fall out or damage your natural hair. Also, with the added pressure on your scalp from the weight of heavy extensions, there could be some thinning of your natural hair and/or headaches as you adjust to the new weight. There have been some reports of allergies to the chemicals being used. You should discuss the disadvantages of hair extensions thoroughly with your stylist so there are no surprises.
The hair extension training and education your stylist has received is very important to the success of their work. Sickler received his hair extension training from renowned expert Joseph Accola, and he keeps up-to-date on techniques by attending beauty shows throughout Europe, where hair extensions are more popular than in the US.” Education and training in hair extensions are critical to successful hair.” extensions for any hairdresser,” says Sickler. If you’re looking for a stylist to do hair extensions and he doesn’t have the proper training, he could be sorely disappointed with the results.
Once you have your hair extensions in place, you’ll need to schedule regular maintenance visits to check them out. How often you need to go back will depend on your hair type and the fixing method used. As your hair grows, it will be necessary to remove and replace or touch up some of the hair extensions.
On a day-to-day basis, you should treat your human hair extensions as you would long hair. Brush, wash, condition and moisturize regularly. Some hairdressers will recommend specific, high-quality hair care products to use with your extensions. You can also use blow dryers, flat irons, curling irons on most types of human hair extensions. Color treatments can be done on hair extensions, but you should check with your stylist before considering this. Monthly color touch-ups at your roots won’t be a problem, since the hair extensions won’t touch.
While it doesn’t physically hurt to put on hair extensions, it can hurt you financially. There is really no way around this factor. To get good full head hair extensions, you will need quality human hair, an experienced hairdresser, at least one assistant, and about 6-8 hours of time. The ticket price can range from $150 to $2000 depending on what you are doing. Adding some low light highlights or hair extensions can be quite minor as the time and amount of hair needed is less.
In summary, here are ten tips to follow after you’ve decided you want to get hair extensions and have selected a salon. To find salons that do hair extensions, you can look in the yellow pages or search online. The salon directory at http://www.hairresources.com will allow you to search for ‘hair extensions in your city, state’.
1.After selecting a salon, schedule an initial consultation to discuss what you would like done and any concerns you may have.
2. Ask what experience your stylist has in hair extensions and where they received their training.
3. Make sure the groomer listens and understands your needs and concerns. Does he communicate well with you?
4. The hairdresser should ask you about your lifestyle, health, hobbies and your usual styling routine
5. An analysis of your scalp and hair should be done at your initial consultation to make sure your hair is in a condition for successful hair extensions.
6. Ask to see before and after photos of hair extension clients
7. Ask for references and be sure to call them
8. Ask how often the average client needs to replace their hair. This is very important to anticipate future costs.
9. Get a written estimate for your hair extensions with a detailed list of services needed to achieve your new look
10. Get a written maintenance plan. The plan should include product recommendations, grooming tools, follow-up appointments, and any special instructions.
Hair extensions have many advantages and several disadvantages that need to be addressed, but if you want to create an instant long hair style, human hair extensions are the way to go.