I finally changed my mind on adding extensions to every client who asks

Had a conversation with a client named Jenna last Thursday who came in for a trim and told me she’d been wearing tape-ins for 5 years straight. She said her natural hair was so thin underneath she could see her scalp through a ponytail. That hit me hard because I’ve been the cosmetologist who says yes to every extension request without asking about the long-term upkeep. Now I’m rethinking how I talk to clients about giving their real hair a break. Anyone else have a client story that flipped their approach to extensions?

3 comments

3 Comments

michael_jenkins391d ago

My sister had tape-ins for 18 months straight and her hair started breaking off right at the crown area where the bonds sat. I honestly never thought about how the weight of extensions pulls on the same spot day after day until I saw her literally patch of bare scalp in the bathroom light. Cosmetology school never teaches you about the cumulative damage from continuous wear, its all about how to apply them properly. Now I flat out ask clients "when was the last time your scalp saw daylight?" and a lot of them get quiet.

grant.felix1d ago

And that "when did your scalp see daylight" question hits because people treat extensions like they're permanent now. @michael_jenkins39 your sister's story is exactly what I see with my friend who's been wearing clip-ins for two years. She thinks taking them out at night is enough but the constant tension even during the day has thinned out her temples noticeably. It's the same pattern with everything in life really - we don't question something until we're looking at the damage already done.

taylorc401d ago

patch of bare scalp in the bathroom light" - man, reading that made me actually wince out loud. I think most people just assume extensions are harmless if you're careful, but that permanent tugging is basically like wearing a tight ponytail 24/7. The fact that cosmetology school doesn't cover the long term wear and tear is honestly kind of scary when you think about how many stylists are just slapping them on. Your sister's situation proves it's not about technique, it's about time.