A simple search of the Internet will show you that extensions are hot and there is a multitude of application techniques that one might consider. However, having been in the hair addition business for over 20 years I feel it is important for the public to realize that while hair additions are a great solution for many clients, they are NOT always safe.
Every company looking for business states that their hair extensions and additions are safe and do not cause hair loss, and to me this is false advertising. In fact, every system, including clip in hair extensions, can cause permanent hair loss if the wearer is not educated about what to look for as a sign that the hair addition is causing problems.
Last week I overheard a client in another stylist's chair tell the stylist that after her last application her hair hurt for two weeks. DANGER!! Hair additions that hurt are telling you "Get this stuff out of my hair! Pain is always a warning that something is wrong and should be addressed ASAP. Sometimes a simple adjustment will alleviate the pain and the problem is solved, but if it is allowed to continue the result can be permanent hair loss. In fact, even if the hair loss is not permanent it takes a long time for the hair to recover and grow in again.
Another warning that something is not right is tangling. It has become much more difficult to find really good hair at a price the average consumer can afford. So many companies have resorted to using poor quality hair and coating it with silicone to make it look healthy. After just a few washings the silicone disappears and the hair starts to tangle. If your hair addition is tangling, or if the hair has curl when wet but looks frizzy as it dries, the hair is overprocessed and should be removed. Unfortunately I watched the same stylist perm a "unit" for her client and processed the perm twice as long as recommended by the perm manufacturer. The piece was of course fried, but the stylist actually bonded it to the head of the client, who by the way was on chemo therapy and never should have anything bonded to her head. I lost sleep thinking about what might happen to the clients scalp after seeing this.
Healthy hair has a luster that can't be duplicated with topical conditioners. Almost all hair additions have been processed in some way and this weakens the hair. While the professional stylist can do minor color change, it is not safe to just dye or perm the hair as if it were growing from the head of the person. So if your stylist says he or she can change curl or color be very careful. This is a warning that the stylist does not care if the product works and is safe for the consumer.
I love working with hair additions, we can make changes that were never before possible, but as professional stylists it is our responsibility to ensure that the methods and products we use are of the highest quality. We also must educate clients and not make claims that are not true. We must follow up to see that nothing is happening that may result in hair loss. And we must learn to say no when necessary and think about our clients hair, and not only our pocketbook.
http://www.chrisforhair.com/
Every company looking for business states that their hair extensions and additions are safe and do not cause hair loss, and to me this is false advertising. In fact, every system, including clip in hair extensions, can cause permanent hair loss if the wearer is not educated about what to look for as a sign that the hair addition is causing problems.
Last week I overheard a client in another stylist's chair tell the stylist that after her last application her hair hurt for two weeks. DANGER!! Hair additions that hurt are telling you "Get this stuff out of my hair! Pain is always a warning that something is wrong and should be addressed ASAP. Sometimes a simple adjustment will alleviate the pain and the problem is solved, but if it is allowed to continue the result can be permanent hair loss. In fact, even if the hair loss is not permanent it takes a long time for the hair to recover and grow in again.
Another warning that something is not right is tangling. It has become much more difficult to find really good hair at a price the average consumer can afford. So many companies have resorted to using poor quality hair and coating it with silicone to make it look healthy. After just a few washings the silicone disappears and the hair starts to tangle. If your hair addition is tangling, or if the hair has curl when wet but looks frizzy as it dries, the hair is overprocessed and should be removed. Unfortunately I watched the same stylist perm a "unit" for her client and processed the perm twice as long as recommended by the perm manufacturer. The piece was of course fried, but the stylist actually bonded it to the head of the client, who by the way was on chemo therapy and never should have anything bonded to her head. I lost sleep thinking about what might happen to the clients scalp after seeing this.
Healthy hair has a luster that can't be duplicated with topical conditioners. Almost all hair additions have been processed in some way and this weakens the hair. While the professional stylist can do minor color change, it is not safe to just dye or perm the hair as if it were growing from the head of the person. So if your stylist says he or she can change curl or color be very careful. This is a warning that the stylist does not care if the product works and is safe for the consumer.
I love working with hair additions, we can make changes that were never before possible, but as professional stylists it is our responsibility to ensure that the methods and products we use are of the highest quality. We also must educate clients and not make claims that are not true. We must follow up to see that nothing is happening that may result in hair loss. And we must learn to say no when necessary and think about our clients hair, and not only our pocketbook.
http://www.chrisforhair.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment