Ask the expert: What are the benefits of adding hair extensions as a service to my treatment menu?

Our experts answer an array of questions about every aspect of running a successful salon or spa business

Initially hair extensions were a niche product, offered only by specialists, catering mainly for celebrities and models.

Fast forward a few decades, and extensions are now a mainstream service. If your salon does not currently offer it, then you are missing out on a thriving and lucrative area of the hair business. More and more clients are choosing extensions, for added length, volume, colour, texture or to help in the recovery stages of hair loss due to illness or medication. Many expats complain of thinning hair after moving here and are actively seeking a permanent solution. A client may have been trying to grow her hair to create a desired style, but just cant make the volume or length required. Imagine her happiness when you are able to create that look in half an hour, instead of sending her off to grow her hair for six months.

Clients like to stay loyal to one salon. They like the familiarity and ambiance of the location, the rapport and trust they develop with their stylist and will therefore choose to stay with a salon with a full service menu. By offering a good quality, issue free extension service you are further binding your client to your business.

The hair extension industry in the UAE is highly competitive, with many brands to choose from, and this can be a daunting choice for a salon owner. As with any salon product or service, it is vital to choose a quality product. Offering a poor quality extension can have a hugely negative impact on your business and reputation. It is vital not to over sell and under deliver. Offer a detailed consultation so that you can understand exactly what your client wishes to achieve and be realistic about the life of the extensions and aftercare involved. Explain to your client the benefits of a superior product. In the long run quality extensions that looks great every day for four to five months with no maintenance will cost less than the cheaper alternative that requires numerous refits using damaging glue.

Partner with an established brand with a good reputation. Focus on the hair texture and quality (Indian Hair and especially Temple Hair is the industry gold standard) choose a natural keratin bond that does not contain glue, cutting edge application techniques and machines and most importantly, one that offers international certified training. Choose one brand rather than many, and work with a company that has all the colours and lengths permanently available in the UAE.

Julie Powell is an Internationally renowned Hair Extension Specialist with 30 years experience.

Trained originally in the UK, she set up Dubai’s first dedicated Extension Salon in 1996, and in her capacity as owner at Great Lengths Middle East she and her team have trained hundreds of Extensionists throughout the Middle East, India and Pakistan over the past 20 years.

Our experts answer an array of questions about every aspect of running a successful salon or spa business

Initially hair extensions were a niche product, offered only by specialists, catering mainly for celebrities and models.

Fast forward a few decades, and extensions are now a mainstream service. If your salon does not currently offer it, then you are missing out on a thriving and lucrative area of the hair business. More and more clients are choosing extensions, for added length, volume, colour, texture or to help in the recovery stages of hair loss due to illness or medication. Many expats complain of thinning hair after moving here and are actively seeking a permanent solution. A client may have been trying to grow her hair to create a desired style, but just cant make the volume or length required. Imagine her happiness when you are able to create that look in half an hour, instead of sending her off to grow her hair for six months.

Clients like to stay loyal to one salon. They like the familiarity and ambiance of the location, the rapport and trust they develop with their stylist and will therefore choose to stay with a salon with a full service menu. By offering a good quality, issue free extension service you are further binding your client to your business.

The hair extension industry in the UAE is highly competitive, with many brands to choose from, and this can be a daunting choice for a salon owner. As with any salon product or service, it is vital to choose a quality product. Offering a poor quality extension can have a hugely negative impact on your business and reputation. It is vital not to over sell and under deliver. Offer a detailed consultation so that you can understand exactly what your client wishes to achieve and be realistic about the life of the extensions and aftercare involved. Explain to your client the benefits of a superior product. In the long run quality extensions that looks great every day for four to five months with no maintenance will cost less than the cheaper alternative that requires numerous refits using damaging glue.

Partner with an established brand with a good reputation. Focus on the hair texture and quality (Indian Hair and especially Temple Hair is the industry gold standard) choose a natural keratin bond that does not contain glue, cutting edge application techniques and machines and most importantly, one that offers international certified training. Choose one brand rather than many, and work with a company that has all the colours and lengths permanently available in the UAE.

Julie Powell is an Internationally renowned Hair Extension Specialist with 30 years experience.

Trained originally in the UK, she set up Dubai’s first dedicated Extension Salon in 1996, and in her capacity as owner at Great Lengths Middle East she and her team have trained hundreds of Extensionists throughout the Middle East, India and Pakistan over the past 20 years.