FAQ's

Q. I’ve been thinking about getting hair extensions but am scared about the whole process. What do I need to know?

A. Super-long locks as seen on Britney Spears, Claudia Schiffer and Paris Hilton are seriously sexy. But they’re expensive, so do your research first. “Since you’re paying big bucks – around $11 to $16 per extension, often with up to 100 used on the head – always ask your hairdresser what kind of experience they’ve had in extensions,” says leading Sydney snipper Joseph Mourad. “Ask for pictures of previous work. And negotiate up front what happens if extensions fall out, for example, will they be replaced free of charge? It’s normal for one or two extensions to fall out every week, but anything over that should be discussed with your hairdresser.”

The only exception? If you’re one of the unlucky one in 20 percent who suffer from telogen effluvium – which causes hair follicles to go into the resting phase of their growth cycle; it’s common after pregnancy of with other hormonal issues – then it may be a problem. “People with telogem effluvium are often thin at the front and around the crown,” says Sydney dermatologist Dr Stephen Shumack. For these people, Mourad adds, extensions should be used with caution: “You might notice more than the odd extension falling out – but its not the fault of the hairdresser.

People who treat hair aggressively by combing harshly, especially where the extension meets the hair, can also pull out their natural hair.” Ready to go for it?

A head of extensions can take up to five hours. If that’s too much, a new system – which only takes 45 minutes – has arrived from overseas. “The new machine allows you to do seven extensions at a time instead of one; it cuts time dramatically,” say Mourad.