Most extension methods require frequent removal and reinstallation’s, which means it can become expensive to upkeep and you will spend more time sitting in the salon chair!

An extension method that does not have the ability to be tightened and serviced with the ability to remove the build up of natural hair shedding should only stay installed for 6-10 weeks, depending on your hair type and the type of extension you are wearing.

Consumer tip: When getting a consultation at a new salon, be sure to ask your stylist about the future cost to upkeep your extensions and how often you will have to remove and reinstall your extensions. Do the math for the year to see if it is affordable for you to maintain wearing them. Once they are installed, they can do wonders for your self-confidence and can become highly addictive in the best way. If the costs are not disclosed to you upfront, you may find yourself in a position of finding a new salon who is more affordable.

Some known issues can occur when letting your extensions grow out for lengthy periods of time without the ability to properly maintain them.

The common issues that I have witnessed:

• Matting, or dreading on your natural hair at the roots area of your extensions.
• Natural hair being ripped out at the scalp with the extension still attached to it (can be common with tape extensions and K-tips.)
• Long overgrown extensions hanging 2-3” away from the scalp.
• Poorly maintained hair that could have been prevented with more frequent check-ins with your stylist.

In my previous experience, for those wearing these types of extensions, they knew no other way. Either they would let their hair grow out as long as possible and deal with hanging extensions or risk damaging their hair, in order to save on the cost of frequently reinstalling their extensions.

There was a gap in the market and Skinny Weft is what bridges the gap to resolve the dilemma of extensions “being too expensive to upkeep or “damaging to the hair.”

 6 months of full time wear!

The Creator @lenalemonada

The “Tune Up”:

Skinny Weft is a Trademarked method that has the ability to be “Tuned Up” without removing your extensions.

• The “Tune Up” appointment is about 30 min on average.
• With a frequency of each 4 weeks, to give you 6 months of continuous wear.
• This means instead of removing and reinstalling 6 times a year, it reduces it to 2 times a year. 

How does a “Tune Up” work?

Your Skinny Weft certified stylist is able to open your beaded anchors that lay hidden below your wefts, then use a comb to remove your hair’s natural shedding. Your beaded anchors are attached to your natural hair in the alignment of your hair’s natural growth, so they slide right back up to the root, leaving you feeling like you just got a brand new installation! We have the ability to adjust the beads to find a comfortable resting position without causing any pain or tension to your hair or scalp. 

• Removing pain and tension from wearing extensions is a huge bonus for our Skinny Weft clients. Skinny Weft technicians are trained to secure the wefts a safe distance away from the scalp to maintain optimal hair and scalp health.
  
• Extension methods that are installed using very tight tension, sideways beads, or braids, can sometimes lead to uncomfortable scalp reactions.
• Common side effects include: a red bumpy itchy scalp, burning sensation, swelling near the attachment, redness, scabs,  throbbing headache, and bald spots.
  
• Not all extension methods using “beads” and hair on a “weft” are similar to Skinny Weft, or have the ability to be “Tuned Up”.

Find out if the extension method you are getting installed is accredited, trademarked, and if your stylist is certified. This will help you understand the guidelines for that particular method, and whether it is one you have to remove every time you need it tightened.

Here are a few highlighted features and differences between Skinny Weft method versus other extension methods:

• Beads: Skinny Weft uses “smaller and stronger” bead then what are typically used in other Beaded wefted methods. The smaller diameter of bead ensures it can anchor onto even the thinnest hair without slipping. Smaller beads are easier to conceal.
• Positioning of the beads:  We install our beaded anchors a safe distance from the scalp, in the alignment of the hairs natural growth. This avoids tensions at the root, twisting of the hair strands, and promotes a comfortable wear experience as well as the ability to easily put the hair up in a ponytail.  The beads lay flat beneath the weft, so they are never visible above the wefts or poking sideways. Some other beaded sew in methods such as NBR (Natural Beaded Rows), The Waterfall beaded row method (WBR), and The Kacey Welch method, attach the beads sideways and directly onto the scalp.  These methods are known to be painful, and do require to fully remove and reinstall each time you need to tighten them.  Methods such as Non Sewn in beaded methods attach the beads on top of the weft, or attached around the weft at a sideways angle.
• Thread: Skinny Weft method uses a strong, sleek, water and odor resistant nylon thread. Other sewn in methods may use a bulkier and more fibrous cotton thread, which absorbs moisture and snaps more easily.
• Even weight distribution:  Skinny Weft method attaches to the hair using horizontal sectioning. The beaded anchors are strategically placed to support the wefted hair that is being installed. Our technicians are trained to understand the ratio of hair needed to support the amount of wefts being placed per each row.  This results in a beautiful grow out without holes or spaces between the wefts. This ensures the hair that is attached to each row is lightweight and doesn’t feel heavy.
• Other beaded wefted methods may space out their beads resulting in less support for the wefts, holes and gaps when they grow out, and they tend to use a larger ratio of hair per each row. This can result in the hair feeling heavy, insecure, or causing stress to the few beads that are holding up the wefts.
• Only uses up to 10% of natural hair in the application process: Skinny Weft method and other beaded wefted methods have the advantage over individual methods in a big way because they attach to far less of your natural hair and can achieve the same if not more volume! Individual methods like k-tips, I-tips and pinch braids can use up to 80% of your hair to attach to, to achieve the same amount of volume Skinny Weft method achieves using 10% or less of your hair. 
• Advantages to using Hand Tied Wefted Hair: With wefted hair, it emulates hair’s natural growth and tends to look fuller then individual strand extensions which can look “stringy” or “piecey”. Hand tied wefts are the smallest extension attachment on the market. They are about 10% smaller than tape extensions. They are reusable, unlike most K-Tip extensions which you can only use for one installation. Reusing your same hair will save you bundles of money in the long run!

I hope this guide has helped give you some insightful knowledge in choosing wisely when investing in extensions and understanding some differences between the various methods on the market. 

Our Salon @hairboss_professional