AU2011200601B2

AU2011200601B2 - Hair extension

Info

Publication number: AU2011200601B2
Application number: AU2011200601A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Beverly May Waters
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-02-12
Filing date: 2011-02-11
Publication date: 2014-11-20
Anticipated expiration: 2031-02-11
Also published as: US20150020837A1; NZ591084A; AU2011200601A1; US20110197908A1

Abstract

The present invention provides method of attaching a hair extension to a subject, the hair extension including a plurality of hairs attached to a base with 5 an aperture through the base, the method including: i) selecting a first bundle of the subject's hair; ii) passing the first bundle of the subject's hair through the aperture; iii) selecting a second bundle of the subject's hair; and iv) clamping the first bundle of subject's hair to the second bundle of subject's hair with a clamo; wherein the clamped first and second bundles form a closed loop which retains 10 the hair extension in place. The present invention also provides a hair extension for use in the method. Figure 1 12 19 16 A 20

Description

MteYUidLUun 3.Z AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: HAIR EXTENSION Applicant: Beverly May Waters The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 1 6067 SA 1 HAIR EXTENSION PRIORITY CLAIM 5 This application claims priority to Australian provisional patent application 2010900580, filed 12 February 2010, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD 10 The present invention relates to a method of attaching a hair extension to a subject. The present invention also relates to a hair extension and a kit for use according to the method. 15 BACKGROUND Hair extensions are used by people to improve or change the look of their hair. Examples of people who may use hair extensions include those who are fashion conscious, actors, models, brides, presenters, the elderly, people with receding 20 hairlines or thinning hair, people recovering from surgery or chemotherapy, etc. Hair extensions may be used to add length, thickness or colour to a person's existing hair. A range of different hair extensions and methods for attachment are known. Hair extensions may be strand by strand extensions or weft 25 extensions. Strand by strand extensions may involve fusing strand extensions to existing hair strands on the person (e.g. by way of adhesives or light/heat radiation). Some methods include braiding strand extensions to existing hair strands prior 30 to fusing the strands. However, attaching the individual strands (and in some cases detaching the individual strands) is time consuming and damage may be caused to the hair or extensions as a result of the fusing method.

2 Weft extensions involve the attachment of a weft of hair (a curtain of hair attached together at the top and free flowing at the bottom) to the person, Methods for attaching the weft include weaving existing hair through the weft, attaching the weft with an adhesive or adhesive tape to the person's scalp or 5 existing hair, or braiding the person's existing hair and sewing the weft onto the braid. Such methods are time consuming and the use of adhesives can damage the hair, extensions or the person's scalp. Furthermore, weaving or sewing the weft into place can be difficult and time consuming to remove. As hair extensions eventually have to be removed or repositioned as the person's 10 hair grows, the ease of removal of the hair extension is an important consideration when selecting the type of hair extension and method of attachment. It is therefore desirable to provide a simple and time efficient method for 15 attaching hair extensions to a subject. Reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment, or any form of suggestion, that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any country. 20 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a method of attaching a hair extension to a subject, the hair extension including a plurality of hairs attached to a base with 25 an aperture through the base, the method including: i) selecting a first bundle of the subject's hair; ii) passing the first bundle of the subject's hair through the aperture; iii) selecting a second bundle of the subject's hair; and iv) clamping the first bundle of subject's hair to the second bundle of 30 subject's hair with a clamp; wherein the first bundle is clamped to the second bundle at a location underlying the base of the hair extension, the clamped first and second bundles forming a closed loop which retains the hair extension in place, and wherein the second bundle of hair does not pass through an aperture in the base of the hair 35 extension.

3 The present invention also provides a hair extension when used according to the attachment method, the hair extension including a plurality of hairs attached to a base, wherein the base includes an aperture through which a bundle of a subject's hair may be passed during the attachment of the hair extension to the 5 subject. The present invention also provides a hair extension kit when used according to the attachment method, the kit including the hair extension and at least one clamp. 10 Before turning to a description of the various preferred forms of the present invention, it will be appreciated that, as the hair extension is retained in place by the closed loop, the attachment method of the present invention avoids the need to use adhesives or radiation to form bonds between strands of hair. The 15 method is simple and allows the hair extension to be attached to the subject in a simple and time-efficient manner. To provide the reader with a better context of the attachment method, attention will now be directed to the hair extensions themselves. The base of the hair 20 extension to which the plurality of hairs is attached may be any suitable shape. For example, in some embodiments, the base may include a substantially flat structure or may be a tubular structure. For many applications, the substantially flat structure may be advantageous in that it may allow the hair extensions to take on a more natural appearance. 25 The base may be composed of a range of materials including, for example, fabric, polymers, plastics, etc. In some embodiments, the base may be composed of polyurethane, latex, silicone and/or other suitable polymers. Methods for attaching hairs to a hair extension base are known in the art and 30 may include knotting (e.g. double knotting, single knotting or half knotting), injection or looping (e.g. using a V, 'U, or 'L' looping technique). Depending on the precise composition, the base may be flexible, semi-rigid or rigid. In some embodiments, the base may be a skin weft base.

4 In some embodiments, the hairs may be attached to the base via their ends (e.g. using an injection method). Alternatively, using a method such as a looping technique, the hairs may be attached to the base at a point along the 5 hair allowing both ends of the hairs to be free (i.e. double the thickness may be achieved with the same amount of hair). The point at which the hair may be attached may be varied to give an even length of hairs or to provide a layered effect. 10 The hairs may be attached to the base in rows or in a particular pattern to provide a realistic distribution of hairs on the base. The hairs may also be attached to the base so as to substantially conceal a top surface of the base. Alternatively, the hairs may be attached to the base to substantially conceal both a top surface and a bottom surface of the base. Accordingly, in some 15 embodiments, the base may be concealed on at least one side by the plurality of hairs attached to the base. In some embodiments, the base may oe laminated on both sides. The hairs of the hair extension may include synthetic hair, human hair or animal hair. As can be appreciated, the number of hairs in the hair extension may vary depending on the size of the base, the thickness of 20 the hairs and the method of attachment to the base. In some embodiments, the hair extension may include between about 0.5 and 10 hairs per mm 2 base area. The base may be any appropriate size. For example, the base may be relatively small to allow a series of discrete hair extensions to be attached to the 25 subject (i.e. the base have a length and width between 0.4 cm and 4 cm). Alternatively, the hair extension may be an elongate hair extension that wraps around a significant portion of the subject's scalp, allowing a sheet of hair to be attached to the subject (i.e. the base may have a width ranging from 4 cm to approximately 30 cm). It will be appreciated that bases with smaller or larger 30 dimensions than those discussed above may be used. In some embodiments, particularly those with larger base dimensions, the base may be provided with multiple apertures to allow multiple attachment points to the subject.

5 As set out above, the base of the hair extension includes an aperture. A range of different aperture sizes, shapes (e.g. circular, triangular, square, rectangular, star, half moon shaped, oval shaped, etc.) and configurations may be used provided that the first bundle of the subject's hair is able to pass through the 5 aperture. In some embodiments, the aperture may be between approximately 0.4 mm to 4 mm. For example, the aperture may be approximately 1 mm. The aperture may extend from a top surface of the base through to a bottom surface of the base (e.g. a hole may be punched through the base), although 10 variations are possible. For example, in embodiments wherein the base includes a tubular structure, the aperture may extend from the end of the base and through the top surface of the base (i.e. the aperture may include a bend). Preferably, the aperture is located towards the end of the hair extension. In this 15 regard, the end of the hair extension may be retained close to the subject's scalp. Returning now to the discussion of the attachment method of the invention, as can be appreciated, the selection of the first bundle of the subject's hair will 20 determine the location of the hair extension. While the amount of hair included in the bundle is only restricted by the size of the aperture in the base of the hair extension, it is envisaged that the bundle may include approximately between 20 and 400 hairs. As can be appreciated, the precise number of hairs may depend on the thickness of the subject's hair. In some embodiments, selecting 25 the first bundle of the subject's hair includes selecting a small V-section, U section or L-section of hair. As set out above, the attachment method includes passing the first bundle of the subject's hair through the aperture in the base of the hair extension. While any 30 method may be used to pass the bundle through the aperture, in some embodiments, the method includes placing a hair threader (e.g. a wire loop) around the first bundle of hair and pulling the hair through the aperture.

6 The first bundle of the subject's hair ideally only passes through the base once. As multiple passes through the base are not required, the method of attaching or removing the hair extension is simplified. In some embodiments, two or more bundles of the subject's hair may be passed through the aperture in the base 5 and clamped to a bundle of the subject's hair that has not passed through the loop. In some embodiments, two or more bundles of the subject's hair may be passed through two or more apertures in the base and clamped to one or more bundles 10 of the subject's hair that have not passed through the loop. Where the base of a hair extension includes multiple apertures, the apertures may be arranged vertically, horizontally or in a staggered pattern. For example, in some embodiments, the base of the hair extension may include two vertically aligned apertures. A bundle of the subject's hair may be passed through the top 15 aperture and a bundle of the subject's hair may be passed through the bottom aperture. The bundles of hair may then be combined and clamped together or combined with one or more further bundles of subject's hair taken from above and below or proximal to the hair extension and clamped together. In some embodiments the two bundles of hair that have been passed through the top 20 and bottom apertures respectively, may be combined with two further bundles of hair taken from above and below or proximal to the hair extension and clamped together. Selecting and clamping multiple bundles of hair may increase the stability of the hair extension on the subject. Indeed, in some embodiments, the hair extension may include a hair weft with a series of apertures in the base. 25 The apertures may be aligned in vertical pairs, or the apertures may be arranged in other suitable configurations. As described above, the base of the hair extension may be substantially concealed, at least on one side, by the hairs attached to it. In this regard, the 30 hair extension may be oriented such that the base is substantially concealed from view when the hair extension is in place (i.e. if the base includes an unconcealed side, it may be oriented to face the subject's scalp).

7 The concealed base is also useful for concealing the clamp. For example, the first bundle of the subjects hair may be passed through the aperture from the concealed side of the base and the second bundle of the subject's hair may be selected from a region of the subject's scalp underlying or proximal to the base 5 of the hair extension (i.e. both bundles may be combined under the base). In this regard, the bundles are clamped together at a location underlying the base of the hair extension. As the clamp may be hidden from view by the base, the hair extensions may appear more natural. 10 Accordingly, selecting the second bundle of hair may include selecting a bundle of hair in close proximity to the first bundle of hair. For example, after the first bundle of hair has been passed through the base of the hair extension, the second bundle of hair may be selected from a location on the subject's scalp underlying or proximal to the base of the hair extension. Once the bundles of 15 hair have been clamped together, a closed loop is formed between the first and second bundles of hair and the subject's scalp. In some embodiments, the second bundle of hair (and possibly a third bundle of hair) may be selected from above the first bundle of hair, threaded through or 20 around the first bundle (without passing through the aperture of the hair extension) and then clamped to the portion of the first bundle of hair that has passed through the aperture of the hair extension. In this regard, a closed loop may be formed between the bundles of hair (i.e. the closed loop may not include the subject's scalp). 25 In some embodiments, the first bundle of hair may be passed through the aperture in the base of the hair extension and clamped to a second bundle of hair such that the clamp overlies the hair extension. While the clamp may not be obscured by the hair extension, the clamp is likely to still be obscured from 30 view by the subject's overlying hair. As the second bundle of hair is clamped to the first bundle of hair to provide a closed loop that retains the hair extension in place, the second bundle of hair 8 should contain a sufficient number of hairs to withstand forces that may be applied to the hair extension (i.e. enough hairs to prevent the second bundle from being pulled from the subject's scalp). In some embodiments, the second bundle of hair may include approximately 20 to 400 hairs. In some 5 embodiments, selecting the second bundle of hairs includes selecting a small V section, L section or U section of the subject's hair. As described above, the attachment method involves clamping the first bundle of the subject's hair to the second bundle of the subject's hair with a clamp. The 10 term "clamp" as used herein is intended to mean any device that is able to clamp two bundles of hair together. For example, the clamp may include a clip, a deformable device (e.g. a deformable cylinder, a deformable bead or ring, etc) an elastic band or a tie. In some embodiments, the clamp may be reusable. 15 The term "clip" as used herein is intended to mean a device that is movable between an open position and a closed position without deforming the structure of the device. The clip may include a latch or may be biased towards the closed position. If a clip is used as the clamp, it is preferable that the clip is relatively small such that it can be concealed under the base of the hair extension. 20 Deformable devices that may be used as the clamp may include an aperture through them allowing the bundles of hair to be threaded there through. In some embodiments, the deformable device that may be used as the clamp may include a split along its length allowing the deformable device to be placed 25 around the bundles of hair. Deforming a deformable device may include mechanically deforming the device or deforming the device by application of heat (e.g. for heat shrinkable clamps). The deformable device may include silicon, a metal (e.g. aluminium, iron, nickel, 30 copper, tin, titanium or deformable alloys), a rubber, a plastic, or other polymer (e.g. polyurethane). In some embodiments, the deformable device may include an inner and/or coating of polyurethane (e.g. silicon coated with polyurethane) or other suitable polymer (e.g. latex). Providing the deformable device with an 9 inner coating may assist in gripping the hair to prevent the deformable device from slipping and/or provide a degree of cushioning to reduce damage to the hair. In some embodiments, the deformable device may include angled projections which substantially only allow the deformable device to be moved in 5 one direction along the subject's hair (i.e. the angled projections may function as a slide ratchet). The angled projections may be made of polyurethane, silicone, latex or other suitable polymers. The clamp may be deformable to a substantially flat configuration (e.g. a 10 squashed cylinder). In this regard, the deformed clamp may lie flat underneath the base of the hair extension allowing the hair extension to have a more natural look amongst the subject's existing hair. Clamping the first bundle of the subject's hair to the second bundle of the 15 subject's hair may therefore include placing a clamp around the bundles of hair or threading the bundles of hair through the clamp. The clamp may then be deformed, tightened, tied or moved to a closed position to clamp the first bundle of the subject's hair to the second bundle of the subject's hair. In some embodiments, a clamping tool (e.g. pliers) may be used on the clamp. 20 As the hairs of the hair extension are not clamped, and the method avoids the use of adhesives, the hair extension may not be as prone to damage as conventional methods. In some embodiments, the present method also allows the hair extensions to be reused. 25 Once the first bundle of the subject's hair has been clamped to the second bundle of the subject's hair, the closed loop that is formed retains the hair extension in place. In some embodiments, the closed loop may include portions of the first and second bundles of hair between the clamp and the subject's 30 scalp. In some embodiments, the closed loop may also include the subject's scalp. As can be appreciated, the closed loop will become larger as the subject's hair grows and the hair extension will eventually be loosened. It may therefore be desirable to adjust the hair extension after a period of time.

10 Accordingly, the present invention also provides a method of adjusting a hair extension on a subject, the hair extension including a plurality of hairs attached to a base with an aperture through the base, and the hair extension being attached to the subject by a first bundle of the subject's hair passed through the 5 aperture and clamped to a second bundle of the subject's hair with a clamp, wherein the first bundle is clamped to the second bundle of a location underlying the base of the hair extension, the clamped first and second bundles forming a closed loop which returns the hair extension in place, and wherein the second bundle of hair does not pass through an aperture in the base of the hair 10 extension, the method including: i) unclamping the first bundle and the second bundle; ii) moving the clamp; and iii) re-clamping the first bundle and the second bundle. 15 The clamp may be unclamped and moved to another location along the bundles of the subject's hair such that the clamp is located closer to the subject's scalp. The clamp may then be reclamped, In this regard, the adjustment method of the present invention provides a simple method for removing the hair extension and/or for retightening the closed loop retaining the hair extension to 20 compensate for the growth of the subject's hair. In some embodiments, the clamp may be replaced with a new clamp. In some embodiments, the clamp may be removed to allow the hair extension to be detached from the subject. For example, once the clamp has been removed, 25 the first bundle of hair may be passed back through the aperture, thereby freeing the hair extension. As set out above, the present invention also provides a hair extension kit that includes the hair extension and at least one clamp. The hair extension and 30 clamp are substantially as described above.

0a In some embodiments, the hair extension kit may further include a clamping tool for clamping the clamp. The clamping tool may include, for example, a pair of pliers. In some embodiments, the clamping tool may also be capable of unclamping the damp. For example, the damping tool may be a pair of pliers 11 with a round cut out section formed at the clamping interface of the pliers, wherein the round cut out section is sized similar to an unclamped clamp. When unclamping is desired, the clamp is received in the round cut out section and the pliers are actuated forcing the clamp to return to its original shape, 5 thereby unclamping. In some embodiments, the round cut out section formed at the clamping interface of the pliers is provided towards the terminal end of the pliers. Alternatively, thin protrusions may be provided on the end of the clamping tool 10 that are able to be received within the clamped clamp or channels provided on the clamp. Actuation of the clamping tool may then restore the clamp to an unclamped configuration. In some embodiments, the hair extension kit may further include a hair threader. 15 The hair threader may be used to pass the first hair bundle through the aperture of the hair extension base and/or may also be used to position the first and second bundles of hair in the clamp. The hair threader may have a looped end for receiving the bundle(s) of hair (e.g. a wire loop or a needle-like device). Hair may be passed through the aperture of the hair extension base by pushing or 20 pulling the hair threader through the aperture. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Reference will now be made to illustrations of hair extensions that embody the above general principles of the present invention. However, it is to be 25 understood that the following description is not to limit the generality of the above description. Figure 1A is an illustration which shows a perspective view of a hair extension according to an embodiment of the present invention viewed from below. 30 Figure 1 B is an illustration which shows a perspective view of the hair extension of Figure 1A viewed from above.

12 Figure 2A is an illustration which shows a perspective view of a subject with a first bundle of hair being selected according to an embodiment of the present invention and a hair threader being placed around the bundle of hair. 5 Figure 2B is an illustration which shows the first bundle of hair from Figure 2A being passed through the hair extension of Figure 1A in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The hair extension (not drawn to scale) is held in an upright configuration. 10 Figure 2C is an illustration which shows the first bundle of hair from Figure 2A passed through the hair extension of Figure 1A and a second bundle of hair being selected in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 15 Figure 3A is an illustration which shows the first bundle of hair and second bundle of hair from Figure 2C combined with a hair threader to allow it to be passed through a cylindrical clamp (not drawn to scale) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 20 Figure 3B is an illustration which shows the cylindrical clamp of Figure 3A in position on the first bundle of hair and second bundle of hair. Figure 3C is an illustration which shows the cylindrical clamp of Figure 3B after it has been deformed to a substantially flat configuration to clamp the first 25 bundle of hair and second bundle of hair together. The closed loop that retains the hair extension in place is also shown. Figure 3D is an illustration which shows the hair extension of the preceding figures laid over the clamp and the first bundle and second bundle of hair. 30 Figure 4 is an illustration of a hair extension in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

13 As shown in Figure 1A, a hair extension 12 includes a plurality of hairs 14 attached to a base 16, which is formed from polyurethane and/or silicon. As the hairs 14 are attached to a top surface 18 of the base 16, the base 16 is 5 substantially concealed when viewed from above (Figure 1B). The base 16 includes an aperture 20, which passes from the top surface 18 to a bottom surface 19 of the base 16. The bottom surface 19 is not concealed by the hairs 14 when viewed from below (Figure 1A). The base 16 of hair extension 12 has a width of approximately 5 mm and a length of approximately 8 mm, although 10 larger or smaller bases could be used. The base 16 includes approximately 5 to 10 hairs per mm 2 base area. The hairs 14 are free-flowing apart from where they are attached to the base 16. When the hair extension 12 is to be attached to a subject 22, a first bunch of 15 hair 24 is selected at the site which the hair extension 12 is to be attached (Figure 2A). The hair 24 is a V-section, U-section or L-section of hair including approximately 20 to 400 hairs. To provide access to the first bunch of hair 2.4, overlying hair may be drawn up and clipped to hair at the top of the subject's head (not illustrated). The overlying hair may be unclipped after hair extension 20 12 is in position, thereby concealing at least base 16 of hair extension 12. The hair 24 is pulled taut and a hair threader 26 is placed around the hair 24 (Figure 2A). The hair 24 is pulled through the aperture 20 of the hair extension 12 using the hair threader 26 in the direction indicated by arrow a (Figure 2B). 25 As illustrated, the hair 24 is passed through the top surface 18 and out of the bottom surface 19 of the base 16. The hair extension 12 may then be pulled up and clipped towards the top of the head of the subject 22 to allow a second bunch of hair to be selected. 30 The second bunch of hair 28 is selected from a site underlying or proximal to the base 16 (Figure 2C). In some embodiments, the second bundle of hair may be selected from above the base 16 and threaded through or around the first bundle of hair 24 without passing through the aperture 20 (not illustrated). The 14 hair 28 is a V-section, U-section or L-section of hair including approximately 20 to 400 hairs. The hair 28 is combined with the hair 24a, which has passed through the aperture 20 (Figure 3A). The hair threader 26 is placed around the hair 28 and the hair 24a, and passed through a cylindrical clamp 30 as indicated 5 by arrow b to draw the hair 24a and the hair 28 through the clamp 30 (Figure 38). The clamp 30 is made from silicon and is coated on the inside and outside with a polyethylene coating. However, it would be appreciated that the clamp may be made of other materials including, for example coated or uncoated malleable metal clamps. For ease of illustration, the clamp 30 has not been 10 drawn to scale. It is envisaged that in most embodiments, the clamp 30 will have dimensions of 1-6 mm, although larger clamps are possible. The clamp 30 is positioned close to the scalp end of the hair 28 (Figure 3B). The clamp 30 is then deformed to a substantially flat configuration (Figure 3C) 15 using a clamping tool (not illustrated). In the substantially flat configuration, the clamp 30 clamps the hair 24a and the hair 28 together to form a closed loop 32. As illustrated in Figure 3C, the closed loop 32 includes the portions of the hair 24 and the hair 28 between the clamp 30 and the scalp of the subject 22, with the hair extension 12 threaded on the hair 24. 20 The hair extension 12 is then laid over the clamp 30. As illustrated in Figure 3D, the hair extension 12 substantially conceals the clamp 30, the hair 24a and the hair 28. A small portion of the hair 24, which did not pass through the aperture 20, may be visible. As the clamp 30 is deformed into a substantially flat 25 configuration, the hair extension 12 may lie substantially flat over the clamp 30, the hair 24a and the hair 28. If hair from above the first bunch of hair 24 was drawn up and clipped to hair at the top of the subject's scalp, the hair may be unclipped allowing it to overlie hair extension 12, thereby concealing at least base 16 of hair extension 12 (not illustrated). 30 Multiple hair extensions may be attached to the subject 22 to add length, thickness or colour to the existing hair of subject 22.

15 If it is desired to remove the hair extension 12 from the subject 22, the clamp 30 may be unclamped or broken and removed. The hair extension 12 may then be removed by passing the hair 24a back through the aperture 20. 5 In some embodiments, it may be desired to adjust the hair extension 12. For example, as the hair 24 and the hair 28 grow, the length of the closed loop 32 is increased and the attachment of the hair extension 12 to the subject may be loosened. To adjust the hair extension 12, the clamp 30 may be broken arid replaced at a new position. Alternatively, the clamp 30 may be unclamped arid 10 moved along the hair 24 and the hair 28 to a new position closer to the scalp of subject 22 and reclamped. In this regard, the attachment of the hair extension 12 to the subject 22 may be retightened. As illustrated in Figure 4, in some embodiments, a hair extension 12 may be 15 provided as a weft. The hair extension 12 includes a base 16 with a bottom surface 19 and hairs 14 attached to the base 16. While hair extension 12 is illustrated with gaps between the hairs 14 at the point where they attach to base 16, it is envisaged that in most embodiments, the hairs 14 will be attached to base 16 to provide a continuous weft of hair with a relatively uniform distribution 20 of hairs 14 (i.e. the gaps illustrated in Figure 4 may be concealed by hair). The hair extension 12 also includes apertures 20 in the base 16. The apertures 20 are arranged in two rows. To attach the hair extension 12 to a subject, bundles of the subject's hair are passed through apertures 20 as described in the examples above and as indicated by the arrows in Figure 4. Typically, each 25 bundle of hair that is passed through an aperture 20 will be bundled and clamped with one or more bundles of hair that have not passed through an aperture 20. In some instances, two or more bundles of hair that have passed through apertures 20, may be bundled together along with one or more bundles of hair that have not passed through an aperture 20. 30 In some embodiments, the hair may be passed through the apertures 20 in an opposite direction to that indicated by the arrows. The bundles of hair that are passed through the aperture may then be combined with one or more further 16 bundles of subject's hair taken from above, below or proximal to the hair extension and clamped together as described in the above examples. In some embodiments, two bundles of hair that have been passed through the top arid bottom apertures respectively, may be combined with one or more further 5 bundles of hair taken from above, below or proximal to the hair extension 12 and clamped together. Use of the weft version of hair extension 12 can enable a larger amount of hair to be applied to a subject in a shorter period of time than the hair extensions illustrated in the other examples. The weft version of hair extension 12 may be adjusted or removed as described above in the other 10 examples.

Claims

1. A method of attaching a hair extension to a subject, the hair extension 5 including a plurality of hairs attached to a base with an aperture through the base, the method including: i) selecting a first bundle of the subject's hair; ii) passing the first bundle of the subject's hair through the aperture; iii) selecting a second bundle of the subject's hair and 10 iv) clamping the first bundle of subject's hair to the second bundle of subject's hair with a clamp; wherein the first bundle is clamped to the second bundle at a location underlying the base of the hair extension, the clamped first and second bundles forming a closed loop which retains the hair extension in place, 15 and wherein the second bundle of hair does not pass through an aperture in the base of the hair extension.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first bundle only passes through the base once. 20

3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the base is concealed on at least one side by the plurality of hairs attached to the base and the first bundle is passed through the aperture from the concealed side of the base. 25

4. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second bundle is selected from a region of the subject's scalp underlying or proximal to the base of the hair extension. 30

5. A method of adjusting a hair extension on a subject, the hair extension including a plurality of hairs attached to a base with an aperture through the base, and the hair extension being attached to the subject by a first 18 bundle of the subject's hair passed through the aperture and clamped to a second bundle of the subject's hair with a clamp, wherein the first bundle is clamped to the second bundle at a location underlying the base of the hair extension, the clamped first and second bundles forming a 5 closed loop which retains the hair extension in place, and wherein the second bundle of hair does not pass through an aperture in the base of the hair extension, the method including: i) unclamping the first bundle and the second bundle; ii) moving the clamp; and 10 iii) re-clamping the first bundle and the second bundle.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein adjusting the hair extension includes moving the clamp to another position on the first bundle and the second bundle such that the clamp is located closer to the subject's scalp. 15

7. The method of claim 5, wherein adjusting the hair extension includes replacing the clamp with a new clamp located closer to the subject's scalp. 20

8. A hair extension when used according to the method of any one of claims 1 to 7, the hair extension including a plurality of hairs attached to a base, wherein the base includes an aperture through which a bundle of a subject's hair may be passed during the attachment of the hair extension to the subject. 25

9. The hair extension of claim 8, wherein the plurality of hairs substantially conceals at least one side of the base.

10.The hair extension of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the base includes 30 polyurethane and/or silicon.

11. The hair extension of any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the base is substantially flat. 19

12.The hair extension of any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the aperture is located towards the end of the hair extension. 5

13.A hair extension kit when used according to the method of any one of claims 1 to 7, the kit including the hair extension of any one of claims 8 to 12 and at least one clamp.

14. The hair extension kit of claim 13, wherein the clamp includes silicon or a 10 deformable metal.

15. The hair extension kit of claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the clamp includes a polyurethane coating. 15

16. The hair extension kit of any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the clamp is substantially cylindrical and deformable to a substantially flat configuration.

17.The hair extension kit of any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the kit 20 further includes a clamping tool for clamping the clamp.

18. The hair extension kit of claim 17, wherein the clamping tool is capable of unclamping the clamp. 25

19.The hair extension kit of any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the kit further includes a hair threader.

20. The hair extension of any one of claims 8 to 12 or the hair extension kit of any one of claims 13 to 19, when used to performed the method of any 30 one of claims 1 to 7.