Article – hair extensions

Hair Extensions by Courtney Pollard
by Ashley Puderbaugh
Published: December 2008
Women’s Edition magazine

Want to have lush, beautiful, and thick hair? How about adding six inches to your length? To attain a new look, some women are opting for hair extensions. Extensions can transform your appearance without having to wait months for your hair to grow. And, for women who have been “blessed” with fine, stringy hair, extensions can add the thickness they might have always dreamed of.

The art of hair extensions has come a long way thanks to innovative new procedures that actually help hair become healthier rather than damaging it. Courtney Pollard, a hairstylist who works at Double Take Salon and Day Spa, uses Great Lengths hair extensions, which she says are the best in the business.

Great Lengths was established in London by David Gold in 1991. Great Lengths uses 100% natural human hair from women in India. Courtney explains that after the hair is cut, it then undergoes a special de-pigmentation process, which means the black pigments are slowly lifted from inside the hair rather than the outside like with bleach. After the black pigments have been lifted, Great Lengths hair then goes through a pigmentation process. More than 40 colors are available to clients.

The hair is then shipped to Great Lengths stylists. They use a method called “modulating” to apply the hair to clients’ heads. Courtney explains that small, individual bonds that are wrapped around your hair are about the size of a grain of rice and are placed near the scalp. The hair is individually bonded using the latest Ultra Sonic technology. Courtney says she is one of the few in the Midwest to provide this advanced application technique. According to Courtney, the methods offered by Great Lengths are the least damaging of those available. “I’ve had tons of clients who were worried about their hair who are now very happy with the results, even after the extensions have come out,” she says. Most damage happens when clients don’t take off the extensions properly. Courtney says Great Lengths offers a high-quality solution that turns the bond into a powder. It comes out easily during removal.

Great Lengths extensions last about six months, depending on your lifestyle, hair type, and how well you take care of them. Courtney points out that most women can maintain their daily routine and treat their extensions exactly the way they treat their natural hair. This means that you can go swimming, put the hair in a ponytail, and color it, perm it, curl, and straighten it. The only difference is that some additional care is required to get the most out of the extensions.

The extensions are even said to be great for African-American clients, which Courtney says is the demographic that is growing the most. “Contrary to what most African-American clients hear, Great Lengths are a fabulous alternative to bulky, uncomfortable weaves,” explains Courtney. “And they give ladies an actual natural look. Many celebrities including Halle Berry now wear extensions because of the more natural appearance.”

Courtney has many years of experience working with hair extensions. She got into the industry nearly 14 years ago. “It was just something to float me until I decided what I wanted to do,” she says. “But then I loved it and decided to stay. It’s a really rewarding job, making people feel better about themselves and making them happy.”

She graduated from the cosmetology program at Johnson County Community College. She began her career as a board certified hair designer and color specialist in 1993. Eight years ago, she completed the courses necessary to perfect the art of natural hair extensions and earned her coveted place in the elite group of Great Lengths extension specialists. Known for her skill, dedication, and artistry, Courtney’s talents have been used by ABC’s “Extreme Makeover.” She says she has also been featured in many magazines, and that her expertise is in high demand by clients across the United States.

If you are interested in getting hair extensions, Courtney recommends that your hair be three to four inches long for thickening or volume, and four to five inches long for a full lengthening. The next step is to book a consultation appointment with Courtney, which will take about 30 minutes. Courtney asks that you have your hair color fresh, and that you come in with your hair styled the way you usually wear it. This ensures that Courtney matches your color correctly, although she also offers color services if you need them. At the consultation, Courtney helps you determine what exactly you would like to do with your hair—what length you want it and the color you desire.

On the day of the appointment, Courtney says you should be prepared to spend two to six hours at the salon, and that you should dress comfortably. She notes that she also asks clients to come to their appointments with clean, dry hair without any product in it. And she says the salon wants to keep clients happy, so there is a large selection of magazines and a personal DVD player to help keep you entertained while you are there.

Courtney will use one of two applications—thermal or cold-fusion. The thermal application is the original Great Lengths technique. The Great Lengths 3200 applicator tong is heated on one side. The temperature, which is approximately the same temperature as the lowest setting on a standard curling iron, is used to soften the Great Lengths bond so it can be molded to your natural hair. Courtney says that unlike other systems where glue guns and wax melting pots are used, the 3200 applicator allows for a very clean and precise application. The result is undetectable attachments that are brushable, durable, and most importantly, non-damaging to your natural strands.

The cold-fusion application method does not use heat, and the strands are attached via Ultra Sonic wave. “This method works great for clients with super baby-fine hair,” she states.

For information about Courtney and the services she offers, visit www.dreamhairinc.com. You can find a video that demonstrates the Great Lengths application process on the site. You can also book an appointment with Courtney through her online booking service at www.greatlengthsbycourtney.com. To make an appointment call Courtney at 913-713-1169.