Hair Extensions - The Safe Way

Have you had extensions before, how did you cope, was there anything you disliked about them?
What is your lifestyle, do you have the ability to care for the extensions (They are hard work)?
Creating a new style may result in cutting the clients own hair e.g. if you have a one length bob.
How often do you shampoo your hair? Do you have dandruff? If so this could mean you may have a sensitive scalp, extensions could aggravate the situation.
How will you wear your hair after the extensions are put in? And will this cause tension on the bonds. (For example, tying your hair up a lot)
Always – Maintenance should be explained to you at the consultation, you may not have the time for the upkeep. (Remember no matter how well they are put in, you have to style and upkeep the extensions for them to look good).

How long have you done hair extensions?
What systems do you use? If the salon only offers one system, and your natural hair is very fine, check around and do your homework. Check out the other systems, ‘KEEP AWAY FROM GLUE OR SEWN IN EXTENSIONS’. These will damage your hair.
Is my hair long enough? Generally as a rule your hair should be at least 3inches long, if your hair is very thick, then possibly a bit longer.
Have you worn hair extensions- to the stylist?
Ask to see the different types of hair, it should be matched not just in shade but also in texture, e.g. if you have tight natural frizzy hair, you definitely don’t want straight textured hair in. (Nightmare)
When it comes to matching shades, we always ask the client if there are any other tones i.e highlights/ lowlights, that she would like added in, but the base of the hair should be matched exactly, again this is down to the expertise and experience of the hair technician.
We would normally- recommend at the consultation placing 2 or 3 extensions into the client’s hair for her to try. This is called a strand test, of which will allow the client to see how it feels in the hair, if your scalp feels sensitive to the bonds, and most importantly whether your hair is strong enough for the extensions test strands will generally be placed near the nape of the neck.
How long can they stay in, and how do I remove them?
  The length of the time of the hair extensions can stay in depend on a lot of factors.
The size of the bond
How you have looked after them generally 3-4 months, Great lengths however up to 6 months.

Never ever ever, remove your own hair extensions. You will damage your hair, you may even end up with bald patches. Depending on the system depends on the procedure of the removal and lotions, unfortunately hair extensions get blamed for damaging the hair, but if you remove them yourself, this will happen.

At our salon we charge to remove your hair extensions it can take us just as long to remove carefully than what it does to put them in. Consider all of this when thinking of hair extensions. We spend a lot of time training our staff in removing as this is where the damage can occur if not done correctly.

Once you have decided on extensions you should be given a price for the complete package what it includes. In my opinion this should also include a free maintenance check up. At our salon we call this a first check, it gives us the opportunity to have a chat with our client, and making sure she is happy with everything. Then we teach our client how to shampoo/ Blow dry and style her hair extensions (you can’t expect a client to know what to do). By spending this time it makes you feel a lot more confidant in looking after them.

(Beware of salons that don’t do this they may not want to know if there is a problem.)