Indulge does: Through thick and thin

Hairdresser Corina Conn puts extensions in for Anelise Kay. Photo/Andrew Warner.

Annemarie Quill tries out hair extensions

Hair loss or thinning is becoming a growing issue, with women prone to thinning hair as they age or experience high stress levels.

Some medications can also cause thinning hair, or complete hair loss, the most commonly known one being cancer treatments such as chemotherapy.

Until recently there has been little women can do with thinning hair, says Hair to Stare At salon owner Corina Conn.

"For complete hair loss, there are of course wigs, but more women are coming to us with thinning hair which often starts to show around the hairline. There are things that we can do such as the right hairstyle, and offer products to give her a thicker look. There's also clip-in hair pieces, but as for offering a more natural solution, there has not been much options to date."

All that is changing with the introduction of Vida Hair extensions, which Conn says are new to New Zealand.

"These suit women with very fine hair or women losing hair on top or around the hairline. The great thing about them is that they are the most invisible extension around so you can tie your hair up."

Vida Hair specifically add volume, says Conn.

"If you want more length we would look at other extensions such as tape in, Keratin or microbead ... or we can use a combination."

Keratin extensions were the best solution for 14-year-old Anelise Kay, who travelled to the salon from Morrinsville with her parents. Having had a brain tumour at 12, though well now, Anelise was left with short hair, a reminder of her being sick as she used to have long locks.

"I was never into short hair, I have learned to deal with it but I have just really been missing my old hair."

Conn says keratin extensions are perfect for people like Anelise to add length and volume back into hair. "For many girls and women having their hair return to how it used to be is a form of healing in itself."

While the treatment took a whole morning to do, Anelise was thrilled with the look, which she said was indistinguishable from her old hair.

It is not just people who have been ill, says Conn, but people concerned about thinning hair, even men. "But you cannot be completely bald, you would need some hair for the extensions to be attached on."

I was keen to try as since having children the hair around my hairline has never grown back to former thickness, leaving me with tufts of baby-like hair which is slow to grow and often sticks up. I have never been able to wear a fringe due to lack of volume.

How does it work?
The Vida extensions are applied directly to hair without any heat. The stylist uses a special tool to apply a bonding agent like glue. She works around the hairline, giving me a fringe, as well as some longer bits either side. It takes about an hour and a half. There is no discomfort. After applying it is cut into a style as though it were my real hair.

What does it look like?
The hair used is 100 per cent human hair hand-sewn into wefts. The texture matches my own and they blend in with my own hair. No one knows they are extensions unless I tell them because there are no signs of clips or tape.

I love the look of my fringe, it makes styling my hair easier because I can now pull it back into a ponytail and leave the fringe down, whereas before if I pulled my hair back I would feel self conscious that I had no hair around my face.

What does it feel like?
The hair is weightless and I don't feel like I have anything unusual in my hair, and they don't cause tension or headaches. How long do they last? Up to four or five months - some fall out naturally, and some grow out, which is when some of them started to look bumpy, so I had these old ones removed and new ones applied.

How much do they cost?
They start at $150 an hour for 15cm of hair length but it can go up to $350 an hour for longer hair. Conn says the salon offers free consultations to discuss the look you are after, and give different price options.

Does it damage hair?
The extensions do not cause tension or break your own hair. Stylists can remove them without cutting your own hair, and the glue causes none to little damage, says Conn.

What are they used for?
•Help with lengthening and thickening
•Can be used to change style, for example adding a fringe, or getting layers longer •Can be used on hairline and on top of head
•Perfect for someone who is thinning, balding, has Alopecia or scarring
•Can be used on men and women

How do you maintain them?
•Do not use low-quality shampoo and conditioner that contains any protein or sulphate, or has high alcohol content.
•Concentrate shampoo on own scalp rather than on extensions and concentrate conditioner on extensions.
•Using an intense moisture hydrating mask regularly is a part of maintaining extensions.
•Brush hair daily with a boar bristle or no tangle extension brush.
•Apply heat protectant spray (containing no protein and low alcohol content) prior to using heat styling tools.
•Dry hair gently with a hairdryer on low-medium heat.
•Always tie hair up when sleeping.
•Do not bleach hair extensions, use only a semi-permanent colour to go darker or tone to a similar shade.
•Do not sleep with wet hair.
•When swimming, wear hair in loose plait, never a bun or top knot.
•If swimming in chlorine or salt, water rinse hair straight after.

- Annemarie had Vida Hair extensions at Hair to Stare At, 2 Jude Pl, Bethlehem, 07 571 5534, www.hairtostareat.co.nz. Different types of extensions suit different hair types or desired look - such as adding volume or length or both.

The salon offers a free consultation to advise.