Going to Great Lengths for long hair

Is anyone else a hair schizophrenic, like me? I think part of my problem is that I like the idea of long hair, and the look of super-short hair, but my reality is that a medium-length is probably my best look (and about all I can handle). Am I alone?

Well, celebs have this issue too, but they don’t suffer the growing pains that I do when I’m tired of my Alyssa Milano-inspired crop and aiming for that long Jennifer Aniston style. And they always seem to have perfectly thick, full hair, too. Noticed that? No scrawny ponytails in Hollywood, for which I, with my fine hair, am jealous. Lindsay, Sienna, Jenny McCarthy all have luscious long and full locks when they want them, but have sported various lengths throughout their careers.

But I’ve found their secret: Great Lengths Extensions.

In this article, I’m going to give a run-down of the hair and the process used to apply it, then I’ll share with you in-full and un-edited an interview I did with Darren Brokaw, the USA Artistic Director for Great Lengths.

Interested? Keep reading!

These extensions are billed as gentle, and 100% high-quality human hair. Gentle, meaning: won’t kill your own hair, or leave it ruined when you’re done with your extensions. The technique ranges from cold-fusion to thermal-fusion and the results: shiny, full and (if you want it) long hair.

About the hair:

• Great Lengths Extensions are made from Indian Temple Hair. This is hair in which the follicle all sits nice and straight, in one direction, thereby not causing tangles with itself or your own hair. There’s a nifty explanation on the Great Lengths site as to why Indian Temple Hair is superior to Chinese hair, European hair, and brushed Indian hair. You can view said explanation here and take it for what it’s worth, since I know nothing to either prove the theory or rebuke it. They do say that the hair is freely given and proceeds are returned to the temples and used for funding schools, hospitals and orphanages in India.
• Hair is not bleached, as it may be by other companies/processes. Bleaching can damage hair, while the process Great Lengths uses is reported not to cause damage.
• Hair is recolored using a process similar to that used for dying cashmere.
• The combination of how the pigments are removed and replaced is unique and will reportedly lead to longer color life.

About the process:

• The method used to attach Great Lengths extensions is different. The new hair is not welded to your own, nor is it glued, knotted, waxed on, tied on, or sewn on. It’s not going to damage your hair. They use a patented technique using special polymers that have a molecular structure similar to your own hair, which is science for “we tried to make it gentle and like yours”.
• The keratin used to bond the hair to your own is specially formulated to act as real hair does – it expands and contracts the way natural hair does when exposed to water, it reacts the way hair does when exposed to sunlight and heat. Due to the way the keratin reacts, the bonds will last longer than the bonds used in other extensions (which deteriorate in the conditions we just discussed), so you can wear your hair until you want to… not.

The interview:

So, that said, I wanted the real scoop and talked to a Great Lengths stylist about the process. I had things I wanted to know, and I hope they help you understand the system better, too!

Responses in blue are courtesy of Darren Brokaw, Great Lengths USA Artistic Director (Christophers Salon, St Louis, MO

• Can you tell me, in a nutshell, how Great Lengths extensions are applied? (It would be great if you can also tell us in your answer how a session would evolve and a guesstimate on how much time it takes)

When you decide to try Great Lengths Extensions, your first step is to meet with a Great Lengths Certified stylist for a consultation.  Once the desired result is determined, your stylist will be able to determine the colors, length and quantity of Great Lengths strands that are needed.  Single strands are applied approximately 1.5 cm distance from the scalp by either the Classic or Ultrasonic machines (press release attached).  The placement of the strands is determined by the desired result as there are certain placement guidelines for lengthening, volumizing or dimensional color effects services.   Application times can vary as there are many variables involved including the density of ones natural hair and the final desired result.  Assuming lengthening your hair is the objective, the average application time is 4 to 6 hours.

• Is the process uncomfortable?

The Great Lengths application process is designed to avoid all undue tension on your natural hair, which is typically the culprit for discomfort.  Many extension methods apply directly to the scalp or as near the scalp as possible and this creates too much tension that results in a very sore scalp and possibly breakage of your natural hair.  Great Lengths are attached to your natural strands an ample distance from the scalp and always applied to match the density of your natural hair.  This coupled with Great Lengths gentle application methods provide a very comfortable application experience.

• What kind of hair is used? Where does Great Lengths get the hair?

Great Lengths utilizes only 100% human hair of the finest quality collected from Indian Temples. Traditionally, many Indian faithful pay tribute to their God or Goddess by going to the Temples for ceremonial sacrifices of their hair.  This is considered an honor and has been in practice long before the hair extension demands of today’s marketplace.  Before such a demand, the Temples sold the hair for many uses, such as mattresses.  Temple hair is one of the only sources available for virgin hair that has never been treated with harsh chemical treatments and has the cuticle layer intact, root to end.  These are qualities that are absolutely necessary for an appropriate, tangle free blend with ones natural hair.  Further, there is an ample supply that is needed to meet the global Great Lengths market need.  Great Lengths is the only system that must utilize “virgin” hair as the patented Great Lengths de-pigmentation process, that does not utilize bleach or toxic chemicals, will not work on hair that has had any previous chemical treatment, including henna.  As a bonus and a great source of pride for Great Lengths International, the money generated by the sale of hair from the Temples funds local schools, medical facilities, orphanages and a host of other civic functions important to the communities in which the Temples are located.

• Are extensions dyed to match/blend with my natural hair?

As briefly mentioned before, the only alteration process that Great Lengths performs on the hair is the patented Great Lengths de-pigmentation process.  Great Lengths exclusively utilizes this method, making it a quality point of difference.  In order to offer a wide variety of colors to meet the demands of the consumer, Great Lengths offers over 60 colors.  Traditionally this requires “lifting” or “bleaching” the original color so that the “new” color can be developed.  The Great Lengths process does not utilize bleach, instead the color molecules are removed whole and replaced whole resulting in colorfast, fade free color that maintains the “virgin” quality of the strands.  The colors are processed in the Italian-based Great Lengths factory and then hand blended using up to 5 colors to blend into one shade.  This unique coloring process ensures that the hair color is dimensional and most importantly, very natural looking so that your extensions will match your hair perfectly.

• How safe are Great Lengths extensions for my natural hair?

The Great Lengths application methods are the most gentle available.  The Great Lengths bond is a synthesized keratin protein polymer that is designed to mimic the structure of human hair and has the ability to expand and contract with ones natural hair.  This is another patented feature exclusive to Great Lengths and vital in protecting the integrity of your natural hair.  Equally important is the quality and skill of the stylist performing the application.  To that end, Great Lengths has the professional industries toughest criteria for certification and criteria to maintain that certification. Great Lengths is proud to be the only professional hair extension company that has been repeatedly recognized by the professional industry as the “Professional’s Choice” for product and technical education quality.  Our business practice policies in the professional beauty industry are based upon what is in the best interest of the consumer. It’s what we’ve built our reputation upon.  The patented Great Length attachment process never compromises the quality of your own hair. Many Great Lengths clients will excitedly tell you, their natural hair is actually healthier than ever as it’s the extensions that take the brunt of daily maintenance vs. their natural hair.

• Are these a legitimate bridge to use while growing out natural hair? Or is it best to use this to augment natural hair to give a thicker or more layered look?

Great Lengths Extensions can be used as both a bridge to help you grow out your short hair and as a way to give a thicker look to your hair and much, much more. One of the most popular Great Lengths services is “repair” work.  For example, flat irons are very popular and on many clients it shows!  Clients will come into the salon that have burned/broken their hair off with irons and in a matter of minutes and with minimal cost, that hair can be replaced with Great Lengths.  Not only does Great Lengths help to correct a problem but it also allows your natural hair to grow back.  Many Great Lengths services have more to do with “design” than with length or volume.  For example, a year ago everyone was walking in with a picture of Victoria Beckham and her trend setting bob and seeking the same.  If the client had the length to make that happen, they rarely had the density needed to give it the sharp edge required for such a result.  Hence, a few skillfully placed Great Lengths strands resulted in many thrilled clients.  It’s the same way she got the look.

• Can you treat the extensions just like natural hair? Can I wear it curly today and straight tomorrow? Are there limits to how I can style it?

Great Lengths Extensions have a good deal of natural body that can be scrunch dried for beautiful movement or easily blown straight.  If more dramatic results are desired the Great Lengths hair quality allows the hair to be treated just like your own natural hair – colored, curled, permed, straightened and of course brushed, blow dried, flat ironed, hot curled with just a bit of special care so as not to effect the attachment site.  In most cases with a significantly better result than that can be accomplished with your natural hair.

• How will my hair feel if I run my hands through it (or my honey does!)? If I pull my hair back in a ponytail, can you see the extensions?

No one will notice a difference in your natural hair and the Great Lengths Extensions, except for the effect of longer, thicker hair. With exception to “special needs” applications that are to correct significant hair challenges, Great Lengths can be styled as you wish since the attachment sites are very discreet.  Here is what you can expect…running your hand over the surface of your hair and you will feel nothing, run your fingers up from the nape, at the scalp and you will feel the tiny attachment sites.  I’m happy to pass on to you what I hear very frequently from Great Lengths clients…”honey” is one of our biggest fans.

• How long does natural hair have to be to use Great Lengths extensions?

For the most natural result, Great Lengths recommends a minimum of 3 inches for a volumizing service and 5 inches for a lengthening service and only lengthening to double the clients natural length.  For example, if you have 6” natural hair, only lengthen to 12”.  Otherwise you risk a “mullet” result.

• How are Great Lengths extensions different from other types of extensions?

Great Lengths Extensions are different because of both the type of hair and application process Great Lengths utilizes.  Other extension techniques often include welding, waxing, gluing or knotting which can damage natural hair.  Great Lengths application is based on the gentle modulating process.  The extensions are connected with a polymer chain whose molecular structure mimics that of human hair and is then bonded to your hair through a Great Lengths applicator. More specifically, there are 4 major points of difference: 1.  The quality of our hair and sources.  2.  The Great Lengths toxic/bleach-free de-pigmentation process. 3.  The molecular structure of the Great Lengths bond.  4.  The skill and expertise of the Great Lengths Certified Stylists.

• How long do Great Lengths extensions last? Do you need to “touch-up” after a certain period, or completely replace all of the extensions?

Great Lengths recommends that the extensions be removed and replaced every 3 to 5 months. This 2 month variance is based upon the state of the clients’ natural hair, lifestyle, etc.  Unlike most extension methods, no touch up is needed.   We do strongly recommend that any chemical work be performed by a professional, for example no home color and you should only use professional grade shampoos, conditioners and finishing products.

• What tips need to be considered when maintaining Great Lengths extensions?

At home, you should treat hair like your own.  The following instruction is really good advice for hair care in general and especially for an extension wearer.  Brushing, root to end is vitally important. When cleansing, always shampoo with your head tilted back and be sure not to towel dry hair with a scrubbing motion, rather blot dry.  Unlike most extension methods, it is okay and encouraged to use conditioners while wearing Great Lengths. If you choose to let your hair dry naturally, always use your blow dryer to dry the attachment sites to the scalp area or at least give it a boost with the dryer so it doesn’t remain moist for a long period of time.  Leaving moisture on the bonds for excessive amounts of time could potentially cause the bonds to absorb the moisture and become cloudy in appearance.  Over the counter, non-professional products should never be used as they often contain high quantities of sulfur that can shorten the bond life.  Before going to bed, it is recommended that you braid your hair or pull into a soft ponytail.

• Is there anyone who should not use Great Lengths extensions?

Great Lengths is safe for all hair types. However, those with a current and/or active hair loss condition or those with seriously damaged hair are not candidates for any extension method, including Great Lengths.  A consultation with a Great Lengths Certified Stylist can help you determine if Great Lengths is right for you.