Extensions lasting 6 months

I feel your anger!  That's why I hate GL.  Most likely your stylist told you they would last 6 months because that's what GL teaches their people, and many stylists aren't aware how damaging that can be.

In reality, sure they WILL probably last 6 months, meaning the hair will still be good and they will still be attached, but just because you CAN do something does that mean you SHOULD do it?

Most of us consider 12 weeks the cut off when they should be removed and than reattached.  That's due to your natural hair shedding, thus causing the extension to be attached to your head with less of your natural hair, and it just creates too much tension on the natural hair.  Too much tension and you could get breakage.

Another big reason is that as the extension grows away from the scalp, their natural tendency is to want to 'dred' up with the surronding extensions. You don't want little dred balls throughout your hair!

And finally, if hair grows 1/2" per month on average, think how far that attachment will be hanging down in 6 months time, about 3".  It's harder to disguise the attachment site when it's hanging so low.

Keep us posted on what happens when you talk to your stylist!

Thanks! I tried do it yourself methods, I do not know what i am doing. So I am lost there. I would prefer a professional doing them.  I am disappointed that they only last that long.

All the other methods only last 3 months right? So what is the difference than with another brand or not?

 

Its not that different methods don't last as long as others, you SHOULD NEVER wear any extension method longer than three months because of hair shed and tangling issues xx

You can't wear any extension method longer than three months.. A responsible stylist should know this.. It's not about the system it a simple matter of hair growth and hair behavior.

The new hair growth underneath the extensions will mat and lock if you leave them in longer than 3 months. I learned this the hard way with braids I had done years ago..

I thought that since I had the chunkier braids (think Janet Jackson in Poetic Justice) that this wouldn't happen to me despite my stylists warnings.. So 5 month later, when I finally took these braids down and started combing out my own hair, I FINALLY saw it.. the knots, the locks, the mats.. and we're not talking about where the hair was braided.. The NEW GROWTH close to my scalp was a sea of matted hair..

I was lucky, with some good old school CREME RINSE, olive oil and a wide tooth comb I was able to save my hair.. But I know others who were not as lucky..

Now I religiously take my weaves and braids down on or before the 12th week.. Forget what your GL stylist says, for $1500 they will say anything.. The ladies here are right.. You don't want to wear any extensions longer than 12 weeks.

On another note.. $1500 seems kinda stiff.. Aren't there other strand by strand methods/stylists that would be a LOT less than $1500 per installation?? (Just a thought)

Hey Metal! Thanks for the welcome..

Gee.. ya makin' me blush..

I don't know if I know all that much, but I do have a general philosphy I go by, and it goes something like this... When you spend good money on something make sure you know EXACTLY what you are getting..

I think most of us who have been wearing extensions for a while have ALL learned the hard way what not to do and what not to buy.. I know I certainly have.. So I did my homework.. I've learned a lot from my own beauticians, the staff at EP, friends who also wear weaves, professionals like yourself and others on this board, etc.. So I just pass on what I've learned from all of these sources.. I just hate to see others making my past "unbeweavable" mistakes  (and there were many)..

This hair and the installation of it costs way too much to just do it without understanding what you are paying for.. and not all of those costs are money.. Some of those costs include, time, embarassment, and the loss of your own hair.. Just my three cents..

On another note.. I too am a former student of Sac City College.. lol

I'm sure you'll be fine with your extensions.

However, it's nothing to do with an expert chick. Everyone who posts here is a professional who knows their stuff and no-one wants to bad mouth anyone else. If after three months your natural hair starts to shred and go on to cause tangling I don't see how any system in the world can change this. Nothing will stop your hair growth (exc. medicinal treatment). It puts a further strain on your hair after this amount of time so I don't see how GL can be the exception to the rule?

I have to say that I've always been extremely put off by the 6 months promise. Like everyone else, I always recommend removal at 3 months.

All you can do is go ahead and see what happens. Let us know.

PaulaJayne1 wrote: She said up until the 6 month they were great with no problems. She also said her grows really slow.

I hope you are right about this.. My note wasn't meant to discourage, but to caution you.. I would hate to see ANYONE lose their hair because of an extention system.. Not to beat a dead horse.. but did you SEE your friend's hair at months 5 at 6 months??? Not doubting your friend, but knowing how human hair grows, I think what we are trying to say here is that unless your friend's hair growth is completely STUNTED, it's hard to believe that her extensions weren't hanging with at least an inch gap from the root at 6 months..

PaulaJayne1 wrote: Also, I think it depends if you have an expert and how they were put in your hair too.  :O)

For the last 12 years I have ONLY used professional/experts to install my weaves/braids.. I already know chapter and verse EVERYTHING that is required for a successful installation of an extension system (starting with the quality of the hair and ending with the quality of the stylist..) But here's the real deal with extensions and EXPERTS.. Your EXPERT can only ensure that your system is properly installed.. Your EXPERT can EDUCATE you on proper extension maintenance.. What your EXPERT cannot control is the rate of growth of your own hair, and your EXPERT cannot control whether or not you (as the wearer of the system) will properly maintain your extension system.

Based on what you stated when you started this thread, your EXPERT failed to explain to you that wearing any extension system longer than 12 weeks puts you at risk for matting and hair loss for ALL the reasons the ladies here have all previously posted.. (Hair growth rates, natural shedding, etc..) 

Now that said, if you want to wear your extension system for 6 months, more power to you.. I HOPE you have no issues with it.. I don't want to see anyone's hair mat, tangle or worse.. BUT you came to this forum asking for suggestions and information on how long to wear your extensions.. You came to this forum questioning your EXPERTS information..

PaulaJayne1 wrote: I am reading here all over the place that they will not last 6 months at the most 3-4 months.  I work for attorneys and to me this is fraud and that she assured me they would last 6 months.  I know they want to make a $1500.00 sale so I am sure that is why they tell people this.  To me this is Fraud.... I am upset now that they are not going to last this long for that kind of money.....  I just got them in January, so when do you think I will have to take them out?

So are you now defending the EXPERT you questioned (when you started this thread) because most of the opinions here are contrary to your EXPERT'S original claims about GL?? I don't mean to sound harsh here, but if you wanted us to agree with you, then perhaps you should have started this thread as a PRAISE for GL, and BRAGGED about how long you could wear the system.. We have ALL provided you with the benefit of our own experiences (some PERSONAL and some PROFESSIONAL) with extension systems and how long they should be worn and why.. If you choose to go with what your EXPERT has told you then we all wish you luck.. Again.. I really hope it works out for you..

Edited by Divavocals

You don't need to be a licensed cosmetologist to be a hair extension professional.

I wish you well.

Went for my color last night with my stylist who put the extensions in.  I asked all my concerns, questions, etc.  She has had her GL in since November and plans to wear them till May.  She said with proper brushing, care, etc. they will last up to 6 months.  She said she has done it several times over the years with no damage.  She said that GL recommends up to 6 months.  She said if I feel at 5 months that they have grown too long and are unmanageable then she can take them out early.  She said to continue my great care and go from there.  This is a highly reputable salon and she has tons of extension clients.  I feel comfortable with what she told me.  So, we will see how it goes.  I understand that everyone here is very knowledgable and I value your input and opinions.  Thank you so much... I may not make it the 6 months who knows.  If I see that it is getting unmanageable then I will take them out. 

Yes, I looked at hers. They were not down that far. I saw and felt them. They looked fine.    I will post my results as time goes on. :O)

 

What does this mean? caveat emptor?

hey paulajayne -

ya know, caveat emptor. good luck to you and please report back how things go: good, bad, indifferent.

did you see/feel your stylists bonds? just curious if she showed you where the bonds were at 3 months. did she suggest you go in for regular maintenance in the interim once they are in?