Hair extensions and methods of attachment

Abstract

A hair extension, according to one embodiment, includes a section of hair having front and back sides, and an adhesive layer attached to the back side of the section of hair. The section of hair is affixed together at one lengthwise end by a pliable polymer. The affixed-together end of the section of hair is retained within the polymer, and the polymer is exposed widthwise across the section of hair on the section of hair's front and back sides. The polymer on the front side of the section of hair is sized and shaped to facilitate attachment of an adhesive layer that may be separately applied by a user or stylist. The adhesive layer on the back side of the section of hair facilitates attachment of the section of hair to natural hair of a user. Alternatively, adhesive layers may be pre-attached to both sides of the section of hair.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hair extension, comprising:
 a section of hair affixed together at one lengthwise end by a pliable polymer, the affixed-together end of the section of hair being retained within the polymer such that the polymer is exposed on front and back sides widthwise across the section of hair, the polymer exposed on the front side of the section of hair being sized and shaped to facilitate attachment of a separately-applicable adhesive layer; and   an adhesive layer attached to the polymer exposed on the back side of the section of hair, wherein the adhesive layer facilitates attachment of the section of hair to natural hair of a user.   
     
     
         2 . The hair extension of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive layer attached to the polymer exposed on the back side of the section of hair is double-sided adhesive tape. 
     
     
         3 . The hair extension of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a removable liner attached to an exposed side of the double-sided adhesive tape.   
     
     
         4 . The hair extension of  claim 1 , wherein a width of the polymer exposed on the front side of the section of hair is in the range of ¼ to ½ inches to facilitate attachment of a separately-applicable adhesive layer having a width of ¼ to ½ inches. 
     
     
         5 . The hair extension of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is paper thin and has rounded corners to reduce a likelihood that the user will feel the hair extension when the hair extension is attached to the natural hair of the user. 
     
     
         6 . The hair extension of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer has a color that blends with a color of the section of hair. 
     
     
         7 . The hair extension of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive layer attached to the polymer exposed on the back side of the section of hair is tinted or colored to match a color of the section of hair. 
     
     
         8 . The hair extension of  claim 1 , wherein the section of hair is 1½ inches to 3 inches wide. 
     
     
         9 . The hair extension of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is liquid polyurethane (liquid PU). 
     
     
         10 . A hair extension, comprising:
 a section of hair affixed together at one lengthwise end by a pliable polymer, the affixed-together end of the section of hair being retained within the polymer such that the polymer is exposed on front and back sides widthwise across the section of hair;   a first adhesive layer attached to the polymer exposed on the back side of the section of hair; and   a second adhesive layer attached to the polymer exposed on the front side of the section of hair.   
     
     
         11 . The hair extension of  claim 10 , wherein each of the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer is double-sided adhesive tape. 
     
     
         12 . The hair extension of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a removable liner attached to an exposed side of the double-sided adhesive tape.   
     
     
         13 . The hair extension of  claim 10 , wherein the section of hair has a first color on the front side thereof and a second color on the back side thereof to form a reversible hair extension. 
     
     
         14 . The hair extension of  claim 10 , wherein a width of the polymer exposed on the front side of the section of hair is in the range of ¼ to ½ inches. 
     
     
         15 . The hair extension of  claim 10 , wherein the polymer is paper thin and has rounded corners to reduce a likelihood that the user will feel the hair extension when the hair extension is attached to the natural hair of the user. 
     
     
         16 . A method for attaching a hair extension to natural hair of a user, the method comprising:
 providing a hair extension that includes a section of hair, a first adhesive attached to a first side of the section of hair, and a second adhesive attached to a second side of the section of hair;   attaching the first adhesive of the hair extension to a first section of the natural hair of the user; and   attaching the second adhesive of the hair extension to a second section of the natural hair of the user, such that the hair extension is positioned between and attached to the first and second sections of the natural hair of the user.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein each of the first adhesive and the second adhesive is double-sided adhesive tape. 
     
     
         18 . A method for attaching hair extensions to natural hair of a user, the method comprising:
 horizontally parting natural hair of the user to form a part;   attaching a hair extension to natural hair of the user below the part, wherein the hair extension includes a section of hair and a first adhesive tape, wherein the section of hair is affixed together at one end by a pliable polymer, wherein a first side of the first adhesive tape is attached to the polymer on a first side of the section of hair, and wherein a second side of the first adhesive tape is used to attach the hair extension to natural hair of the user;   attaching a first side of a second adhesive tape to the polymer on a second side of the section of hair; and   securing natural hair of the user from above the part to a second side of the second adhesive tape.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the second adhesive tape is attached to the polymer on the second side of the section of hair after the hair extension is attached to natural hair of the user below the part. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the second adhesive tape is attached to the polymer on the second side of the section of hair before the hair extension is attached to natural hair of the user below the part.