Do Your Research Before Getting Hair Extensions - Beware of Misleading Information

by Melissa L. White

There is a wealth of information on the Internet concerning hair extensions, but not all of it is true. Sometimes the information is exaggerated, other times it is more than just a little misleading - it can be completely false.

Note the bald patches
after removing extensions

This may come as a shock to some, but there are people out there who use inferior hair products and try to pass them off as quality! Many who do this offer hair extensions at "too good to be true" prices, or make bold statements that those who charge more are just ripping off consumers. I've even heard outrageous claims that Great Lengths hair extension bonds are not keratin and are glue! It's hard to believe that people can still fall for bold claims like this when for years we've been warned that if something looks too good to be true, it probably is.

But, it happens time and time again. You read a story about someone who finds a great price on hair extensions, then gets them installed, only to find out that it was a huge mistake. Not because they had hair extensions, but because they had extensions that were not top quality, using methods that can be problematic, and more importantly, installed by uncertified, unqualified or inexperienced stylists.

Just this week an interesting story of a British actress named Jodie made the news. Her case was newsworthy because the hair extensions she had put in caused extreme damage to her hair. The photo above shows the actress after she had to remove the hair extensions herself.

The stylist who installed her long blond hair extensions had used wax bonds (not a recommended method) and hadn't explained that you couldn't use any type of heat on them. This caused a big problem when Jodie attempted to blowdry and straighten her new hair. She explains, "It was great waking up feeling like Cinderella with long, blond hair. But when I went to straighten my hair, the wax bonds started to melt. My hair started matting and sticking together."

Jodie was left with short, thinned hair and bald patches

There is a reason that high quality hair extensions are more expensive than the hair extensions that you can purchase yourself at a beauty supply store. Quality hair extensions are sold only to licensed hair stylists who have been trained by their company. They are not available at beauty supply stores anywhere. Companies such as Great Lengths and Hairdreams sell the world's highest quality hair extensions. They are more expensive than other brands, but they use the highest quality of hair, and the bonds used are designed to be gentle on your hair (unlike glue, wax, tape, weaves or even clip-ins).

I could get technical with all of the specific differences that determines the "quality" of hair, but we'll cover that in another article. The point that I'd like for everyone considering hair extensions to get is that this is an investment in you. Don't take short-cuts or do it solely based on price or you may end up with a look that is far worse than the one you are unsatisfied with now.

You need tips in finding the best hair extensions, and don't want to fall for misleading claims. So what do you look for? Beware of claims like these:

• Name-brand such as Great Lengths, Hairdreams or So-Cap are not the best
• Name-brands use bonds that are not Keratin-based (a protein found in hair)
• Glue is the best method
• Prices are good because they get hair from a local beauty supply store
• They send you to purchase your own hair
• You can get a head full of quality hair extensions for under $500
• Claim training and/or certification without naming the companies certified by
• Has your hair in stock already (hair should be custom ordered for each person)
• Clip-in extensions are the only "safe" method
• Synthetic hair can look just as good as 100% human hair
• There is no maintenance needed for their hair extensions
• Tape is a good method of applying hair extensions
• You can wear your extensions for a year or more
• Micro-rings can't damage your hair
• You need to change your extensions every 1-3 months

These are just some of the outrageous claims I've seen from stylists who venture into the world of hair extensions without having done their homework! Stylists who spend a lot of money for training from the top companies don't hesitate to mention those companies by name. If you have received certification from Hairdreams or Great Lengths, you flaunt it because they are the two best in the world. Your equipment is the latest technology and your training is unequaled.

Yes, quality hair extensions do cost more than those you purchase from a beauty supply store. And, the professionals installing them usually charge more than a stylist who doesn't use quality extensions. You need to ask yourself whether you feel comfortable taking the risk with hair and stylists who are questionable.

Do you feel saving a few dollars is worth the possibility of ending up with an experience like Jodie? Read all the details on Jodie's bad hair extensions and let me know what you think!

RESOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION:
The Daily Mall - Actress left with matted hair after "dodgy" hair extensions
Extensions of Yourself - Facts About Hair Extensions
Extensions of Yourself - The Hair
Extensions of Yourself - What's Best

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melissa White is an experienced, licensed hair extension artist and stylist whose passion is to bring out the natural beauty in everyone by enhancing their own individual features with the use of hair extensions. Melissa has over 14 years of extensive training and experience with the industries top hair extension companies in the newest techniques. Originally from Boston, Melissa has been in San Antonio for the past 8 years. She believes that everyone should be able to access and afford the hair of their dreams...thus the creation of Extensions of Yourself, San Antonio's first salon which specializes exclusively in quality hair extensions.