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Clip in Hair Extensions can cause traction alopecia if worn for over 5 hours a day

Clip on hair extensions have become very popular. They provide a cheap quick fix to anyone wanting instant long hair. However I have seen an increase in the number of traction alopecia as a result of women wearing their clip on extensions in the same position every day

Traction alopecia is hair loss that is caused by long term hair pulling and breakage due to very tight hair braiding, hair weaves, cornrows and metal clips continually pulling at the hair root.


If metal clip on extensions are continually worn and the tension on your hair is not regularly alleviated, scarring can occur as well as permanent hair loss, leaving the wearer with a less then desirable appearance they'll be forced to deal with for their rest of their lives.

In today's modern society, most people think only of the final appearance of their hair.


(2)The continual over processing of the hair with Chemical treatment such as bleaches, dyes, or strengtheners disrupts the keratin structure in a manner that reduces its tensile strength.

The hair follicles can become fragile. At first the hair fall out is not so noticeable because the clip on extensions are disguising it. Add brushing and combing your hair, you will note a difference in the reduced thickness of your hair line but ignore it initially. Later on some people might experience heavy fall out which can occur with brushing, combing and washing your hair. On top of that using extreme heat to fashion hair each day can also permanently damage the hair follicle.

If detected early, traction alopecia is reversible if diagnosed early. However, permanent hair loss can occur too slowly for immediate detection. Hair loss often occurs in the front, but is also subject to the immediate adjacent area to where the clip in hair extension were pulling and damaging the hair root.

(1)The sad truth of the matter is that permanent traction alopecia does not respond to medical treatment such as minoxidil or finasteride since by its nature, the hair loss is different then genetic hair loss.

The only way one can treat traction alopecia is with hair transplants. Follicular unit hair grafting has been identified as the only practical solution to treating traction alopecia. Hair transplant clinics are reportedly seeing a rise in the number of patients with traction alopecia and say the results can be good to excellent.

However this can be a costly approach especially whilst clip on hair extensions appear so cheap. What you have to consider is whether wearing clip on hair extensions for over 6 hours a day versus the value of your own hair. Which is worth more?

There are over 18 different hair extension techniques. It is important that you find a technique that is suitable for your hair type and life style. There is a misconception that hair extensions can be worn permanently for up to 6 months at a time.

In today’s society, you need to hold on to what you've got, look after what you have and start being kinder to your hair.


For more advice about traction alopecia contact us on click on 'ask the expert' link.


Sources:

1. Basil M Hantash, MD, PhD, Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH. (2005) Traction Alopecia, Emedicine.com,

2. Cheryl Guttman, May 1, 2003 Alopecia Options for Black Women, Dermatology Times,

10 WAYS OF BOOSTING YOUR HAIR EXTENSIONS BUSINESS IMAGE AND SERVICE

Your customers are booking fewer treatments, those who are turning up are spending less, your weekly cash take-ins is in decline, you have mortgage and rent to pay and costs are going up! You are seriously concerned whether your business will survive 2009. Stop worrying and start planning your survival strategy. Worrying only confuses your mind and stops you from clearly acting on well thought out plans. So SWOT!


What's so good about performing a SWOT analysis and what is it anyway?

SWOT stands for 'strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats'. It is a well-known term in business and marketing. Performing a SWOT analysis is a very important part of running the business. It must be taken seriously. It is your own audit of your business no matter the size of it and should be done on a regular basis, at least annually. It's not very complicated but could help keep you ahead of your competitors.

Doing a SWOT analysis will give you a true picture of how your hair extension business could or should be running. It is essential to work out why some things are working in your business and why some aren't.

You may discover problems that you had no idea even existed. These can be addressed before they get out of hand. It will also highlight many assets, which could be utilised better, even opportunities, which could be taken advantage of.

The results of your SWOT analysis will be the basis for your marketing plans and decisions.

Here's just 10 highlighted points that you could attend to immediately to help boost your hair extensions business.

Source: 'What they don't tell you about getting started in the hair extension business' summary from page 20 - 35 author Shawe D 2007



1) Form business alliances

Join up with other businesses to help each other build a bigger clientele.

Form an alliance with another business that has the same type of clientele as yours, for instance a business which involves beauty, nails, tanning, or fashion.

You can take this alliance as far as you like. You could set up shop together, or just refer clients to each other. You could do some advertising together and share the cost. Another idea is to hand out gift vouchers for each other. Each gift voucher could be for a free service.

It's best if you both cater to clients who are at the same end of the market. If you cater to the upper class there's not much point in marketing to people who simply can't afford to come to your hair extension studio.

2) Be Selective.

Choose a business where the people have the same business ethics as yours and a good database of clients.

3) Network

Throw the occasional cocktail party and invite the surrounding business owners, managers and employees of your choice. If you can build relationships with these people you may gain them as clients. Remember most men have girlfriends or wives and most women have other lady friends also.


They might also refer some of their customers and friends to you. Do this especially with the staff of beauty and fashion shops in your area. They are ideal people to get referrals from.

4) Get Quality Training

There are over 36 different hair extension techniques in the market place. If you really want to plan to be a success in this market, then you have to choose to become totally proficient in several techniques. There are many types of clients out there with varying hair problems, plan to be of service to you target market. Restricting yourself is restricting your potential income.

5) Be Classy (even if your working from home)

It's best to set your hair extension studio up so that the right impact is made right from the moment the clients make an entrance or you make an entrance. Remember that the more professional the hair extension studio looks, the more you will be able to charge, as you will attract a more up market clientele. I always advise that the overall look must not out way the warmth and welcome of the studio. Clients like to feel relaxed with the staff and environment, not as if they are on show.

6) First Impressions count!

Flowers at reception or at your home always add a touch of class. So does a smiling face, which helps to make each client's, visit a welcoming visit right from the start. You can make the waiting area more impressive by including a great retail area, some hair extension brochures, and a book containing before and after photos. Provide some new, interesting magazines and hair books. Toss the old or torn ones out.

7) Always protect the clients clothing.

There should be a cupboard or rack for coats, or like some hair dressers have, a small dressing room for clients, who are given a gown to wear. This is a great idea as it removes the problem of high collars being in the way and clothes being ruined.

8) Get rid of shabby items.

Make sure there is a place for everything and enough storage space, so that the hair extension studio can be kept tidy. Get rid of the old wraps, used or shabby towels, and worn brushes. Never have dirty combs or tongs lying around. All of these things make a bad impression on clients.

9) No Carrier bags or damaged cases.

If you are mobile don't turn up with carrier bags or a damaged beauty case. Make sure you are presentable and that your hair looks emaculate.

10) Don't be afraid to change with the times.

If your hair extension studio starts to look outdated give it a facelift. Invest in the latest equipment. Make sure that the chairs not only look good, but also feel comfortable. If you are mobile make sure your equipment is up to date in line with your techniques.

If you would like to review various tips on how to improve your hair extensions business.

Click to review and buy your copy today

How to shop For Hair Extensions Online

You have seen a photo of Beyonce, Paris Hilton or Cheryle Cole and you want that look! How do you know what to look for or ask for?

There are over 120 different hair extension shades, different lengths, different density, European straight, straight, silky straight, yaki, jerry curls, deep waves and so the list goes on.

How do you know the difference between Indian and Chinese hair, Russian hair or brands such as Cinderella, Great lengths or Afro?

There are claims of real remy hair, which is often spelt in different ways, virgin hair, and hair just like human and super synthetic hair!

Hair you can clip in, braid in, stitch in, glue in, attach, hook or just simply put on like a cap!

Then you have ponytails, front lace wigs, full lace wigs and wigs. Women's toupee, men's toupee and special hair pieces to disguise bald patches.

Unless you have used a supplier before, or you have had, your hair extensions fitted professionally or by a friend. It is certainly challenging when you venture out into the world of online hair extension shopping with very little experience.

So what should be the guidelines? Moreover, are there any regulations out there to protect you?

Well the answer to that is NO! The supplier might not be protected from the manufacturer in terms of quality, content and descriptions, and the end user could suffer the same fate apart for the normal acts that protect consumers.

So how do you minimise the risk of wasting lots of money when shopping online for hair? The first place to start from is know what you want to achieve. If you want to achieve short term length and volume, a style that can be added or taken off any time, then you could look for temporary systems such as pony tails, clip-on's or wigs.

If you are looking for semi permanent fitting that do not use glues or you are visiting a hot country on holiday then perhaps you should consider wefted hair, which is often applied in as a full head weave or integrated.

If you are looking for a solution that will cover up temporary hair loss or thinning hair this could be approached in a variety of ways. I would suggest you go to an expert for advice because just purchasing hair from the internet and applying it to sensitive areas could do more damage than good.

If you want a high fashion look, smooth, flat and free flowing then specialist applications using wefts or bulk hair would be an option. Other tools such as hot or cold bonds, micro rings or hair loop systems would be used to attach the hair.

Colour matching could also be an issue. Viewing colour charts on the internet only gives a sample view that can often be distorted from loading the image up. If your hair has been coloured then the colour matching might be a little more complicated and a technician would need to assist in the colour match procedure, which might involve more than two shades.

When you visit YouTube, there are many candidates who have opted to upload videos on how to do it yourself. This can be very appealing if finances are an issue. However, because hair extensions have become so popular, this has help to drive down the application prices so it is worth shopping around for a hair extension technician that is qualified and can show you some of their work.

For more information on topic such as face shape, lace wigs and the pros and cons of hair extensions visit our 'Latest Trends' section. If you want some general advice on what to shop for, then you can send us an email at the link 'Ask the experts' or take a look at our online shop.

Click here to view special hair extension offer for facebook members.