Tightening Maintenance
Wefts/Tracks
(Non Sewn Beaded Weft, Beaded Sew In)
If you plan on keeping your extensions long term, get them tightened every 4-6 weeks.
Beaded Sew In extensions cannot be tightened, they must be removed and re-applied, resulting in the same price point as the original install.
The NSBW method can be tightened, prices are listed here.
On average, we lose 50-150 strands of hair per day. Tightenings are especially important because hairs that have already naturally shed will be stuck in the beads until I have a chance to brush them out.
The sooner you get them tightened, the better. The longer someone waits, the more hair will be stuck in the beads. Waiting long periods of time in between tightening can cause tangling, matting, and stress to your natural hair.
The recommended time to tighten your extensions is every 4-6 weeks. Depending on how strong their hair is, some guests can wait up to 8 weeks. This is not recommended, but some guests do it.
If I see any scalp irritation during your tightening, I will move that section of the track onto new hair.
Individuals
(Individual Keratin Shrink Links, Individual Micro Beads)
Hair naturally sheds 50-150 strands of hair per day. That hair which has naturally shed has nowhere to go when IMB or IKSL are installed.
As your hair grows out, individual extensions have a tendency to want to start to join together due to the hair that has naturally shed with nowhere to go.
It’s important to take each individual extension and separate it from the extension directly next to it. This can be done while watching TV or relaxing on your down time. Start this routine two weeks after installation.
Individual Keratin Shrink Links cannot be tightened. Typically 3-4 months is the average time guests keep their IKSL in before removing and reinstalling them. They're worn a maximum of 6 months before taking them out and reapplying. Some guests will not be able to wear them the full 6 months depending on their lifestyle, hair type, and products used. Sometimes the hair can be re-used a second time.
Individual Micro Beads can be tightened, but with each tightening, the bond that holds the hair together inside the bead will get weaker. Too many tightenings can cause the extensions to shed more, so it's best to tighten every 2-3 months.
Toppers
Topper by BookWithNikki
Toppers cannot be tightened like the other extension methods. A topper typically lasts 2-3 months before you need to remove it and reinstall. When you pre-book your next topper appointment in my chair, you'll receive 10% off your next topper appointment, making your follow-up appointment $270 instead of the initial $300.
With toppers I recommend a 2-3 months on, 1 month off routine. During the month off, I can sew clips onto the topper so you can still wear your topper, but it’s essential to let your scalp breath once in a while. For a removal and clip attachment appointment, I charge $100.
I also don't have a shampoo bowl at the salon, so this allows clients an entire month to shampoo their hair and do treatments on the scalp. I recommend a nightly castor oil treatment during the "clip in" month. Castor oil has been known to thicken hair and stimulate major growth. Check out the before and after pictures people post to castor oil Amazon reviews!
Tape ins
As of 2020 I'm no longer offering Tape Ins. I just can't offer a method that I don't believe in and wouldn't wear myself. Tape-ins are stressful on the hair, they get gunky, and I just wouldn't wear them personally. I also stopped offering braided sew-ins for similar reasons. I will be offering Ziploxx hair extensions soon! Ziploxx are a great/safer alternative to Tape-Ins.
Clip Ins
If you got clip-ins, this section will only apply to you if you got them “beaded” in. For many guests, I will put a small bead where each clip has to go. This makes it so guests can easily know exactly where to clip their extensions in. You’ll want to come back once a month to get these beads tightened. If you wait longer than a month to tighten these, you might experience stress on your natural hair, which could lead to hair loss if neglected long enough. This is because you’re constantly clipping and un-clipping your extensions to that small area of your natural hair. So come in ASAP to get these tightened!
Location
Update 8/29/23: I just moved to Sacramento! I'm currently doing house calls until I find a work studio.
9240 Old Redwood Hwy Suite #272
Windsor, CA 95492
Located in the Oliver's Market shopping center
Second floor above Gem Nail Spa