Hair Extensions Q&A

What are Hair Extensions made from?- Hair Extensions are made from either Human Hair or Synthetic Hair.  Human hair is actual hair cut from a person's head, then processed and made into extensions which can be styled and fixed like natural hair.  Synthetic hair is artificial man made extension hair, and will melt like plastic when heat is used on them.

Can they be color matched to a client's hair color?-Yes.  There are 105 different shades to match a client's hair to.  If a specific shade can not be matched on the color ring, Human Hair Extensions may be colored to match the client's hair.

What are the differences in the qualities of hair?- Human hair is the better than synthetic hair.  It can be styled with hot tools such as a blow dryer or curling iron.  There are many different types of Human hair, but the two most common are Indian Temple Hair and European Hair.  Indian Temple Hair is hair from India, and is usually black at first, then chemically treated to be lightened to the desired shade.  European Hair is a higher quality hair, that is usually of lighter color and needs fewer color treatments to reach its desired shade, making it less chemically treated and softer.

What are the different techniques of putting in Hair Extensions?- There are many techniques used to apply Hair Extensions.  Gia uses the Strand by Strand technique.  This technique takes small sections of the clients hair and attaches a small amount of hair to the clients natural hair.

How long does it take to apply the extensions?- This is a tricky question.  Generally to apply, wash, cut and style a full set of Hair Extensions, it takes anywhere from 2-5 hours depending on the length.  The longer or more shades of extensions there are, the longer it takes to apply.

How long does a client's hair need to be for application?- A client must have at least 1 inches of hair to apply Hair Extensions to. While it is recommended to have at least 5 inches of length on the shortest layer some clients, such as cancer patients, have special needs and wish to go ahead with extensions on shorter hair.

How long do Hair Extensions last?- Different types of Hair Extensions last different amounts of time.  Hair Dreams Hair Extensions can be worn for up to 6 months. Some companies say that their extensions can be worn longer. While this statement is not false clients usually start having complications and damage to their hair if the extensions are worn longer than 6 months. The extensions grow with your hair and will gradually get longer as your hair grows out. Imagine getting fake nails and not doing a fill for 3-4 months. That would be the equivalent statement to those who say their extensions can be worn for 8 months or longer. Sure, you can do it, but your hair will start to look worse and worse and your extensions would probably start falling out on their own.

How are Hair Extensions taken out?- The Hair Extensions are taken out after the client's hair has grown out, and the bond is no longer near the scalp area.  A removal solution is applied to the bonding points, and pressure is then applied.  The bond will then start to dissolve due to the removal solution, and begin to slide down the hair shaft.  The process is painless and takes around 1 hour.

How much do Hair Extensions cost?- Gia's Hair Extensions cost between $1000-3000 depending on the length and style desired.  The longer the extension, the more money you should expect to spend.  Thickening starts at $1000.  Lengthening starts at $1500.

What kind of maintenance do you need have done on Hair Extensions?-During the time you get your Hair Extensions applied and the time you take the out, you will need to make maintenance appointments.  These appointments are to ensure that the Hair Extensions are not matting or causing the client any problems.  You will naturally lose between 2-7 strands of Hair Extensions every month.  This is very common and every client experienced this.  The client may bring the strand back to the salon and have it reattached.

How do you style Hair Extensions?- Client's may style their hair extensions as normal. 

Will Hair Extensions make my hair grow?- Hair Extensions do not make your hair grow.  They do however take most of the styling you would normally be subjecting your own hair to, helping your own hair not to get shortened by damaging elements like flat irons and blow dryers.

Will Hair Extensions damage my natural hair?- Hair Extensions do not damage a client's hair.  Most of the time when I hear about bald spots and things like that, it is usually from a client using the wrong hair brush or using a comb at the scalp and ripping the extensions out.  You should only use the styling tools provided by the stylist when you get your Hair Extensions applied.

Will I lose hair while wearing Hair Extensions?- Every person on this earth loses between 50-100 hairs a day.  EVERYONE!  When a client gets Hair Extensions, they still lose these hairs, they just stay attached in the bond until the Hair Extensions are taken out.  So when the Hair Extensions are removed, you see these hairs come out as well. Hair Extensions do not however cause more hair to fall out.  The only time a Hair Extension will cause hair loss is if it is pulled so hard that the client's natural hair is literally pulled out of the scalp or breaks off, and it takes a lot of pressure to do so.  Basically, don't get into a girl fight!

What is the overall effect of client's who wear Hair Extensions?- Clients who wear Hair Extensions have long thick hair which can be styled in many ways.  They will never have to worry about their hair looking thin, damaged, or short.