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Looking at virtually all print media such as newspapers, magazines, and catalogs, 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 bob haircut style? Well, let’s see, human hair grows about ½” per
month, so if your hair is at ear level, it would be almost two years to 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 all the rage.
“Don’t just add length to your hair. Hair extensions offer a simple solution to 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 artistic team at Sexy Hair Concepts.
“Any type of hair can support hair extensions,” says Sickler. Sickler makes hair extensions easy by creating cutting-edge hairstyles for their clients. Some examples include straight, straight hair, bouncy curls, and bold 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 clients, Holly Leach of Rantoul, Illinois, says she wanted to get 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 at the results. “I walked into the salon (Rod & Company Images) looking to the side and came out looking totally different,” says Leach. Leach has had her hair extensions for about 5 months with no issues or complaints. She maintains the hair extensions with Sexy Hair Concepts non-soy-based 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 in an instant.”
“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 ¼ is applied. “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 extensions clients have lost almost no extensions hair and have had very few maintenance issues.
So where do you start if you’re thinking about getting hair extensions? You need to 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 the high fashion colors such as pinks and blues. Generally speaking, if you’re going for natural, it came from 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 last and wear without tangling or drying out. European human hair is well known as quality human hair used for extensions.
There are three basic techniques for joining hair. They are fusion or thread by thread, weaving and joining. There are many variations of these techniques and sometimes they are called by different names.
Fusion/strand by strand: This process is done 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 merger method of the Italian company So.Cap. The hair is attached about ¼” from her scalp and looks totally natural. Sickler comments, “No one can visually see that she has hair extensions. It’s up to you if you want everyone to know.”
Weaving is a process where a row or track of corn is created around the head and close to the scalp. The extension hair is sewn on the tracks. Your own hair sits on the tracks for a natural look. Bonding is a process where bonding glue is applied over 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 may 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 that are used. You should discuss the downsides 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 job. Sickler received his hair extension training from renowned expert Joseph Accola, and he stays 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 fundamental to successful hair. extensions for any barber,” says Sickler. If you’re looking for a stylist to do hair extensions and don’t have the proper training, he might be very disappointed with the results.
Once you have your hair extensions in place, you will need to schedule regular maintenance visits to check on them. How often you need to go back will depend on the type of hair and the fixing method that has been used. As your hair grows, some of the hair extensions will need to be removed and replaced or touched up.
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 to your roots won’t be a problem, as the hair extensions won’t touch.
Although it doesn’t physically hurt to get 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 around 6-8 hours of time. The price of the ticket can vary between $150 and $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 required is less.
In short, 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’d like to have done and any concerns you have.
2. Ask how experienced your hairdresser is with hair extensions and where they received their training.
3. Make sure the barber 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 performed at the initial consultation to ensure that 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 hair replacement. 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 pros and cons that need to be addressed, but if you want to create an instant long hair style, human hair extensions are the way to go.