Hand-tied extensions 101: what to know before your first install
Hand-tied extensions are the reason "did she get extensions or is her hair just… perfect?" exists as a sentence. Done well, they're undetectable. Done badly, they're expensive regret. Here's everything we cover in our consultations, free of charge and in plain English.
How they actually work
Thin wefts of real human hair are sewn — by hand — onto a small, discreet row of beads placed along your natural hair. No glue, no tape, no heat on the bond. One or two rows is typical; each row adds length, fullness, or both. Because the wefts are hand-tied rather than machine-sewn, they lie flatter and move more naturally.
What they cost (real numbers)
- Consultation: free at DH Hair Studio, 30 minutes, required before any install. You'll leave with an exact quote.
- The hair: the biggest variable. Luxury hand-tied hair is bought per weft and yours to keep and re-use for a year or more.
- The install: custom-quoted with the hair at your consultation.
- Move-ups: as your hair grows, the rows ride down and need repositioning every 6–9 weeks — $150 per row at DH.
- Removal: from $75 whenever you want out. No hostage situations.
Payment plans are available for installs from $50–$4,000, so the up-front cost doesn't have to land in one paycheck.
How long they last
The hair itself lasts 9–12+ months with good care. The placement needs a move-up every 6–9 weeks. Think of it like this: buy the hair once, maintain the fit as you grow.
Questions to ask any extension stylist (including us)
- Can I see healed installs on real clients — not just install-day photos?
- What hair brand do you use, and why?
- What's the total first-year cost including move-ups?
- What happens if a weft feels wrong in week one?
- How will we color-match my dimension, not just my base?
A good extension artist will love these questions. If someone dodges them, keep shopping.
Will they damage my hair?
Properly installed, properly maintained — no. The two things that cause damage are rows installed too tight and clients skipping move-ups. Both are avoidable, and both are exactly what the consultation and maintenance schedule exist to prevent.