What are Hair Extensions All About?
Updated August 25, 2008

Who gets hair extensions? What are hair extensions, methods, etc.? When can you get hair extensions? Where do you get hair extensions? Why would you get hair extensions? And perhaps the biggest question….How are they attached?

A good place to start is explaining what hair extensions are all about. In a society where immediate results are very popular, the beauty industry has developed and improved the ancient technique of adding human or synthetic hair to your own hair and making it look like it grew out of your own head. We say ‘ancient' because people have been doing this since forever, with wigs, hairpieces, weaves and such. Many of today's methods have been adapted from African-American stylists that weave human or synthetic hair into corn rows for a long, flowing and natural look.

So who gets hair extensions? Many celebrities get hair extensions for various movie roles. The celebrity factor is what has catapulted the popularity of hair extensions over the last 5 years. When you see magazine covers with famous actors having long, flowing natural looking long hair, you begin to think that maybe you could get the same look. Once thought as a rich person's service, hair extensions have become much more affordable and even practical for everyday consumers.

The main reason for getting hair extensions is to add length to your hair style, although they can be used to add volume and thus give the appearance of thick hair.

Tip|
Verify with your State Board of Cosmetology that no complaints have been filed against the salon or stylist. FYI--There are some US states that do not require a Cosmetology license to do hair extensions.

Fact and fiction.
While hair extensions will not actually make your hair thicker, they will give you the appearance of thicker hair. If you're a man that has always had long hair, but began noticing bald patches and/or a receding hairline, hair extensions are good for a temporary solution. We emphasize the word temporary because extensions add weight to your hair. While they may look good for the time being, extensions put stress on your hair follicles.
If you've opted for hair extensions you have a large selection. You can choose synthetic extensions or actual human hair. What's the difference, you ask? The look, the feel, and the price! Human hair tends to be much more expensive than synthetic hair. Despite this, you can find synthetic and human hair extensions to match the color, texture, and style of your own natural hair.

Thicken your hair or even add highlights. Hair extension expert Rod Sickler, Owner of Images by Rod & Company in Rantoul Illinois says, “Don't limit yourself to just adding 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.”

“Any hair type can support hair extensions”, says Sickler. Sickler makes hair extensions easy by creating cutting-edge hair styles for his clients. Some examples include sleek and straight hair, vivacious ringlets and striking color enhancements with the use of different highlighted and low lighted hair extensions. He describes the hair extension process as very painstaking and challenging as it requires many hours and various techniques to complete. The rewards are many as he is able to re-invent hair, tweak techniques and fulfill his clients' needs.

When can you get hair extensions? Whenever you have a few hours available! Most hair extension stylists will offer a consultation prior to your actual appointment to get the hair extensions attached. The human or synthetic hair typically needs to be pre-ordered so that it matches your own hair or the intended color you are interested in. In the consultation, the stylists will discuss your current hair health, how the extensions will be attached, possible side effects and what you will need to take care of them. If you are experiencing significant hair loss, hair thinning or have extremely damaged hair, the stylist should recommend that you do NOT get hair extensions until your condition improves.

Tip!
An analysis of your scalp and hair should be done at the initial consultation to make sure your hair is in a condition for successful hair extensions.

Fact and fiction.While hair extensions will not actually make your hair thicker, they will give you the appearance of thicker hair. If you're a man that has always had long hair, but began noticing bald patches and/or a receding hairline, hair extensions are good for a temporary solution. We emphasize the word temporary because extensions add weight to your hair. While they may look good for the time being, extensions put stress on your hair follicles.

If you've opted for hair extensions you have a large selection. You can choose synthetic extensions or actual human hair. What's the difference, you ask? The look, the feel, and the price! Human hair tends to be much more expensive than synthetic hair. Despite this, you can find synthetic and human hair extensions to match the color, texture, and style of your own natural hair.

Where can you get hair extensions? As the hair extension service becomes more and more popular, you will find many more stylists that go to training and education classes to become certified in hair extension services. The stylist does not necessarily need to be certified, but it is very important that they have been trained and educated properly in hair extensions. Hair extensions are a big investment, financially and emotionally. If the stylist you select does not have proper training, many things can go wrong, including some of your natural hair falling out or even being ruined. Make sure you do your homework in selecting a stylist. Ask to see before/after photos, get references, check if any complaints have been filed against a stylist, etc. All hair extensions have the potential to cause damage to your hair. The experience of the hair stylist is the biggest factor in positive results.

Finally, the biggest question, How are the hair extensions attached? There are a variety of methods to attach hair extensions. The type and style of hair selected can be a determining factor in how they are attached. Human and synthetic hair can be attached strand by strand or in wefts. A strand of hair would be considered to be 30 or so pieces of hair. A weft is a section of hair that is attached together at the top. The weft is typical sewn or bonded in to the natural hair. Other innovative methods include fusion, bonding, locs, clamps, using string and more.

There are advantages and disadvantages to every method of hair extension available today. There can be a big cost difference between one method and another. There is a direct relationship between time and cost. Most hair extensions are time-intensive, resulting in the major portion of the costs involved. Another major factor is the quality of the human or synthetic hair that is used. Quality hair is expensive.

The hair industry is not regulated so determining what or who supplied quality hair can be difficult. Research and education is a primary factor in a successful hair extension service. After you have hair extensions, it is very important that you take care of them properly. Some methods will require the use of special shampoos and styling appliances.

There may be recommendations from your stylist in reference to sleeping, brushing, swimming, shampooing and styling your hair extensions. Regular maintenance is also an important step to keep the hair healthy and looking good. Long hair requires work. So make plans to put your time in……. as well as your money!

About the Author: Perriann Rodriguez is the award-winning author of the number one best selling E-book, ‘2005's Most Popular Hair Extensions' and ‘Wedding Hair Styles' available at the Hair Resources Bookstore, http://www.hairresources.net. She is also the founder of Hair Resources, http://www.hairresources.com a global resource for hair styles, hair extensions, global beauty salons, hair stylists, and much more.