Hi there!  My name is Michele and I have been wearing extension for about 2 years straight.  I'll give you a brief "summary" of my extension history. 

First method that was used was fusion but she glued the hair on herself with a glue gun and glue sticks (for extensions).  This method worked great because she was able to mix/blend the hair to match my hair exactly.  BUT the glue bonds were quite large and inconsistent.  Had those removed and there was damage to my hair (breakage and some thinning) but nothing that I was worried about.  I found another installer that was closer to me and was cheaper.  She used Cinderella extensions.  This hair was unbelievably expensive ie. $130.00 CDN for 25 pre-tipped pieces .   Hair was "okay" quality, but the bonds were terrible.  Lots of sliders as I used to call them.  Then my installer started doing them from her home which was great as this brought down the installation price drastically.  I started purchasing my own hair and bringing it to her.  I went thru SOOOOOOO many different "pre-tipped" hair it was nuts.  Some the bonds were terrible, some the hair was terrible..I just couldn't find something that had it all!  I was going to her almost every 3 weeks for a tweak..which is crazy also.  Because she was replacing my extensions in sections I never really did see my natural hair.  My installer never cut my hair inbetween installations either.  Two weeks ago I had my extensions removed completely and I FREAKED OUT!    My hair was gone!  I had bald spots, my hair was super thin..I mean a 2 year old surely had more hair then me and the breakage...WOW!  I almost looked like a went thru a round of chemo...NO JOKE!  My hair started out past my shoulders and now it's a wee bit below my jawline.  So...I started out using extensions for fun...now I NEED to use them until my hair grows out.  Fusion and thin hair is a definate NO NO IMO!  I would NEVER recommend that method to anybody especially if you have thin hair to begin with.  I really wish all hairdressers would warn their clients about the breakage/thinning possiblities.  At least you are not shocked when you have them removed.  Both my installers said that I could grow my hair out with fusion! *cough liars cough* haha  I'm glad I can laugh about this now..I tell you ladies..two weeks ago..I was "therapy material"

Sooooo this past  Friday I had "ProHair" installed.  I have to admit, quite a difference in weight..which is a good thing for me right now.  My natural hair is wavy so my installer (a new girl) used the "wavy" hair.  It's quite curly right now and I am hoping it will loose a bit of this.  I feel like Shirley Temple! lol  I have only washed it once so far..and it's still pretty curly.  How can I tone this curl down?

In your opinion...what is the most gentle method?  I keep hearing about shrinkies...is that more gentle then the ProHair method?  I like the ProHair but my installer does charge LOTS of money for this method.  $800.00 including hair.  I dont' know if I can afford this every 3 months.  I need a method that maybe I can do myself and get a friend maybe to do the back.  I NEED extensions right now..no two ways about it.   

Thanks so much for reading my post and I am looking forward to reading all  the other topics and contributing my 2 cents. 

Michele

Hi Michelle-

Welcome to our board. You will find tons of great advice here and imput.

i would reccommend either shrinkies for your fine hair or locs- tubes or shell. read the 101 thread for beginners too, this will help alot, read, reseach and ask away, were glad ur here1

Thank you so much TanglesRC!  I really do appreciate your response.

Michele

I concur with Tangles.  I like the Prohair method, I do that method on some people, but most don't like it because they want human hair.

Yes, the curly prohair will loosen it's curl. 

Have you considered the tape method??  It is very gentle on your hair and has great coverage!!! And the best thing, you can, really you can DO IT YOURSELF!!  If you buy the right kind of hair, your only continual investment would be to buy the tape, $20 bucks every 2months!!  Yes it doesn't last as long as the fusion or the shrinkies, but if you alrealy have sparse fine hair, it will give your hair a break from any glue method.

Just my 2 cents worth

gsmilie wrote: Have you considered the tape method??  Just my 2 cents worth

Thank you for your suggestion.  I never actually knew about that method (I'm not a stylist).  But I think my only concern with that method would be it falling off without me noticing.   I am always so paranoid that my bonds are showing

I will check it out though..I am totally open to new ideas!

Thanks again and I truly appreciate your response

do a search for pro-tac or pro-flex.  There have been alot of reviews lately.  You can get all the supplies from http://www.shrinkies.net - www.shrinkies.net   and she also has a great tutorial.

Good luck in your quest.