3 questions about extensions

okey dokey guys, got it. thanks :)

Thanks again for the feedback everyone!
I have calmed down a bit now (serious panic attack there!).
Jenny - she used a hot glue gun to put them in.
Rae - thank you so much for suggesting uk stylists! I do really fancy having a go at it myself though, my boyfriend says he will help although I am sure he doesn't know how long it will take. lol.
A few more questions
If I am buying mail order how do I get a colour match?
I want to stick with synth and I have been reading the tutorials, which is the easiest method and type of hair for a beginner?
I won't be trying it for at least a month, is it right that the solvents for getting extensions out won't harm my hair?
I really want to go longer next time (like down to my bra strap) is that possible when my own hair is still short?
Thanks again everyone I love this forum

Well, ideally no--it's designed to melt into itself, but not into anyone's real hair (although I'm sure it's possible if a mistake is made).

Unlike fusion, which bonds fake hair to your real hair (sometimes with heat), with heat-sealing (aka the Dome method), the real hair is braided with the fake hair in a box (or 4-way) braid, then a small part of the synthetic hair is wrapped around the braid and melted into itself with heat, forming a seal. If done correctly, there should be no damage to the real hair underneath. (There are a few variations on this, some people use a little spirit gum, some don't, but that's the basic jist.) It's different than fusion, though, where the objective is to glue (or melt glue) directly onto the real hair.

Hopefully that makes some sense. It's quite a difficult method to learn, and I've only heard of a few DIYers who do it actually, but it's the method that's recommended (I'm pretty certain) for Dome and ProHair, although you can use other methods to attach them. Boogiemama, for example, does her own version of the heat-sealing method.

I have pinchbraids with Dome/PH, Kalika had shrinks with PH, and lots of people use extendtubes for this kind of hair, too. Fusion certainly wouldn't be my choice, but again, I'm sure people do that too.

:)

redhairedgirl wrote: She said that she used profibre extensions and that they were put in using the fusion method because this type of synth can take high temperatures (?).

Ditto what everyone else said: ProHair is high-quality synthetic, and there are lots of comparable options.

What's odd, though, is that she would say that ProHair can take high temperatures. It sorta can, in that you could blow it straight or use boiling water to curl it, but it's actually designed to melt with the heating clamp (this is how heat seals are done).

I know the salon was vague with you, but do you remember if the tool used to apply them was a heated wand (this would melt the synth onto itself), or was there glue being applied from a glue gun or hotpot?

:)

lol...yeah I think this is why I had a hard time getting a grasp on a lot of the methods in the beginning. Would get confused after hearing you girls talking, then reading the companies ads. Oh well :)

What I find most funny, is that these people straight up say "no glue" What is the adhesive they are using?

I hear ya on that. And my biggest peeve is when they try to make something sound so scientific....such as:
'non surgical method of hair grafting', grrrr just say it dammit, its glued to your head LOL!

Or.... natural organic protein bond translation=keratin glue!

The profiber is most likely prohair by prostyles. It is a good quality synthetic fiber, and yes it can be done with fusion, you just dont hear of it that much, usually fusion is done with human hair. No it does not melt into your hair. The glue is heated and when applied to the extension strand and natural hair it sets/cools very quickly. I dont know if that is expensive or not, Id say probably not that high being done professionally. Ive heard of people spending alot more than that. Its expensive to me considering that Im a DIYer and all I pay for is materials, labor is what costs so much!

I am thinking perhaps I should go to another salon for a 2nd opinion. I am getting quite worried now that maybe they didn't know what they were doing. My hair feels ok (great in fact!), but if it has damaged my natural hair then I want to know!

Thanks for the replies, you are all so nice on here!
Right, I 'phoned the salon and spoke to the girl who did my hair (the one who doesn't like to talk). She said that she used profibre extensions and that they were put in using the fusion method because this type of synth can take high temperatures (?). I am quoting what she said here but that doesn't mean I understand it!
I am a bit worried now because does that mean it wasn't done properly or that my hair will start to break off? I have only washed it once since it was done using the shampoo and conditioner that they gave me at the salon and it seems ok.
They said that the extensions should last about 2 months by which time all my hair should be long enough for them if I want (I only had about 2 thirds done this time) and if I go to them it will cost £400, which I suppose is about $650-700, does that sound expensive. There's no way I can afford that (I am a student) so I wll definitely have to DIY next time. How do I find a colour match to my hair for DIY?

You may be right Jenny it may not be fusion, but I have heard of it being done with synthetic, just not the norm.

Hey redhairedgirl, your not being vague, you were just not very well informed of the process they did on you. Thats not your fault! Its hard to know what all to ask when you dont know much about it. The stylist should have explained everything to you and gave you some type of written information or care sheets or something that may have explained the process a bit.

Youve come to a great place to find information, Im sure you will find lots of useful info and what you dont find just ask, youll get help here!