HairArt: Hair Weaves Have Come a Long Way, Baby

CONFERENCE REVIEW

HairArt: Hair Weaves Have Come a Long Way, Baby

By JC Carroll, Executive Assistant, Hair Art

Hair weave techniques have come a long way since the ancient Egyptians developed the procedure.

Weaves and extensions were considered fashionable and could be styled to fit the individual. Popular colors for extensions were vibrant in tone like blue, red, and even gold. The weave extensions would be made from affordable materials such as animal hair or plant fibers.

In 1952, the modern-day sewn-in hair weave was designed and patented by Christine Jenkins. Before Jenkins invented the sew-in weave, people were putting weaves on with hair pins placed on the scalp. Jenkins's sew-in technique allowed for a sturdier longerlasting hairstyle.

Since 1952, the sew-in weave has come a long way. It has become thinner, undetectable, more comfortable, longer lasting, and less labor intensive.

A thin weave is an option for men and women who don’t want to use glue. Shaving also is not necessary. It works best with hair extensions, integration, and men’s systems. It lasts six to 12 weeks depending on care.

A thin weave is also an excellent choice for clients with extremely thin hair. It is durable and withstands hot and humid climates. It can even be worn during popular gym activities such as hot yoga and swimming. The longlasting application won’t damage your client's existing hair because it doesn’t require hair extensions, glue, or metal beads. It stays secure until your client is ready to remove it for a new weave.

Adding the thin weave to your repertoire is an excellent way to diversify your skill set. It’s easy to learn but requires practice to perfect the technique. You’ll find clients who are familiar with the thin weave to be loyal. They are acutely aware the demand is high for this application while the supply is low.

The first step of the thin weave technique where a client's hair is mixed with nylon thread. This adds stretch to the track. After the thin weave application is finished, the topper needs to be sewn to the track. This method can also be applied to extensions. It is clean, comfortable, secure, and no glue is required.