The photos Hairlocs DOESN'T want you to see

I agree, Nicholle. The other Hairlocs thread needs to end. So let's start a new one!

Did you know when you run Hairlocs through spellcheck, it changes the word to "hairloss"? How appropriate.

Here is a photo of a typical Hairlocs strand that fell from my head:

http://members.aol.com/purgefile/hairlocsdamage1.jpg

Notice all the hair coming out of the top of the lock? You can see it curling down to the right. Does that look like naturally shedded hair? NO! It's broken clean off. See the slightly darker hairs on the right? That is my own natural hair that was pulled through the lock to attach the Hairlocs strand to. The Hairlocs clamp sheared it right off.

http://members.aol.com/purgefile/hairlocsdamage2.jpg

Here is the broken hair strand once the Hairlocs metal clamp has been opened. You can see how the clamp's outer layer shedded itself from the clamp. They do that and then the copper clamps rust and turn your hair green underneath.

Look at the thickness of my own natural hair that came out. Now MULTIPLY that by 250-300 for every Hairlocs strand and you can figure out why women are so passionately AGAINST Hairlocs.

http://members.aol.com/purgefile/hairlocsdamage3.jpg

Here is another strand taken out. You can see the top of the Hairlocs strand on the left has been completely chewed apart by the tightly clamped copper Hairlocs shell. It has also turned green from the shell. My own hair on the right was also covered in green.

Do these photos attest to Hairlocs claim that they're safe and non-damaging? I don't think so.

Hairlocs people -- when you come to this board and tell those of us who've suffered REAL damage that you want to sue for false claims, I say BRING IT ON!

Kimarie -- there are women here who have lost their own hair because of your installations. This is the place for them to speak up and share their experience. Your threats of suing them in an attempt to quiet them is more telling of your character than you can possibly realize.

I'll tell anyone here or elsewhere how the Hairlocs method ruined my own hair. If it stops one person from getting them, losing their hair and a ton of money with it -- it'll all be worth it.

just one more thing: amm, I know you've used microlinks and/or extendtubes before, too. did they cause any similar damage? Or is the copper bond somehow more apt to break down the hair down than other materials? is the metal safer, or is it in the acutal application? just curious.

Now that's craftmanship. I'm really impressed. You paid extra for the green gunk, right?

At least your hair looks totally hot now (I saw the photos on your other post). Did you get a refund for the rusty, broken handiwork in these photos? Not that it would give you your hair back, but at least it's something.

Oh and by the way...I have a little baggy full of my extensions that have fallen out that I could take pictures of too. Kimarie said that they fell out due to my natural shedding cycle, but I don't understand how every strand that onc particular hairloc was attached too fell out at the same time. Can someone explain this to me?

miamigirl, thanks for posting.

Sounds like your hair is getting sheared off by those thin copper locks. I know all too well what you're going through and I feel for you.

If you like the hair, please save it. If you choose to wear some other type of strand by strand extension, the hair can be salvaged. I am sure you paid a lot of money for it so hopefully you can reuse it later.

When the time comes that you'll be removing all the locks, here's some advice -- start conditioning your whole head like crazy every time you shower. And take out the locs with a small pair of regular pliers and DO NOT let anyone remove them with the Hairlocs tool. Gently squeeze open the shells from the outside until it releases the strand or is able to slide down your hair shaft. Using the Hairlocs tool will only cause more damage as that tool has prongs that go INSIDE the shell and pries it open. When it does that, it separates and rips your own hair strand on the inside.

Good luck!

I, too, had many locs slip out, many of which looked like the photos you've provided. Thanks for posting these--I think it's a very helpful addition to the boards.

Ok here is the deal-

All hair extensions are damaging there is no way around it. Some methods damage more than others. This is the reality of not waiting for your hair to grow or damaging your hair etc. So the solution is to get hair extensions. They make you look and feel good, you get noticed more, you feel sexier and more attractive- Thats why we spend thousands to have them done.

However like anything that seems to be a quick fix has draw backs.
Great Lengths, Cinderella, Icyhair, Microlinks, Glue, fusion, bonding, latex adhesive, micro linking, tree braiding, pinch weaves etc.

They all have thier down side. All hair extension methods will cause some degree of thinness when worn over long periods of time.

The fusion method can cause major thinning and should not be worn more than 3-4 applications Because the hair will show severe thinnes if it is kept worn over and over

Chemically processed hair should not have any type of fusion bonding or micro links because the hair is usually to week to support it.

Poeple with excessive oily hair or very dry hair should aviod the fusion method and micro links
Because your extensions will just slip out faster if oily or will break of because of the dryness.

The same goes for fine thin hair-

People who shed exsessive hair should also stay away from fusion & Microlinks because the bonds will be naturally shedded out fast or the excessive hair that is shed cause major tangles in the extensions and the hair will start to matt-

The weaving method can cause traction alopecia if not applied properly. Worn over long periods of time the weaving method will also cause breakage, and can be irritating to the scalp.

The latex method is another method wear sometimes the latex glue can pull the hair of the scalp when removing-

The list goes on.
I have done extensions for years and many clients and I tell them up front that these things coul;d happen and that they should be aware of these problems. I make them sign my disclaimer and they are free to choose with knowledge whether they want to proceed or not.

I also wear extensions and I myself have suffered some damage, but to me, I have natural yuky hair to bein with so the sacrafice of wearing hair extensions is a good trade off-

I would recommend talking with your stylist and make sure they are honest with you about the possibility of having damaged hair. If any stylist tells you there is no damage then run for the hills and do not waste your money, because they are lying.

Yes there are people who do not have any problems while wearing extensions, however your stylist should be up front with the risks.

Extensions are fun to wear but be aware there is some comlpcations
You will need to weigh the pros and cons with your decision and decide if hair extensions is worth it

Hope this helps outp-

try not to complain to much - remember you made the choice to have them put in. If the method you chose does not work there is always wearing your hair natural or investigating other methods available for attachment

YIKES
Please excuse my spelling errors in the above postings . My two year old was jumping all over me and I forget spell check

Bye!!! Good Luck

Thanks, Angelhair, for your response. It's helpful to get a stylist's perspective, and it sounds like you have made every attempt to inform your clients of both the risks and the rewards of various methods.

Based on my research and experiences, I would have to agree with most of what you've said: There are no 100% perfect extensions, and any extensions can be damaging, depending on the method, the application, and the hair of the client. Some methods, of course, are potentially more damaging than others.

Per the complaining issue, however, I think you're missing the point: The clients/former clients on this thread are complaining precisely because their stylists haven't told them about the risks and potential complications. True, we all decided to get extensions, but if we had known about the damage, the slipping, the green discoloration, and so forth, we wouldn't have chosen to proceed with this method. And any stylist who doesn't tell you about those defects up-front, or doesn't tell you that the method is completely unsuitable for your hair, just isn't being honest about their product.

It's true: If one method doesn't work out, there are other solutions. Many women who have posted on this thread have found alternate methods that we're really happy with. (And I think this proves that we're not fundamentally unhappy with all extensions; it's a particular method and/or stylist that we take issue with.)

And if clients suffer long-term damage or invest thousands into a system that doesn't last past a few weeks--if the product/service doesn't live up to the most basic expectations--then I, for one, think those clients have every right to request fixes or refunds and, if those options fail, complain and share their stories with others.

Again, thanks for sharing your perspective.

hey amm nice picture of shedded hair!