US20140060566A1

US20140060566A1 - Hair extensions

Info

Publication number: US20140060566A1
Application number: US13/602,815
Authority: US
Inventors: Natalie L. Walker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-09-04
Filing date: 2012-09-04
Publication date: 2014-03-06

Abstract

The present disclosure is drawn to a hair weft, a system for applying a hair extension to subject, and a method of attaching a hair extension to a subject. In one example, the hair weft can comprise a first hair weft portion with a first weft band supporting a first plurality of extension hairs, and a second hair weft portion with a second weft band positioned in a doubled-up configuration against the first weft band. A plurality of intergap attachment regions can be positioned along the first weft band and the second weft band, adjoining the first weft band to the second weft band. The hair weft can further comprise a plurality of weft band gaps defined laterally by adjacent pairs of intergap attachment regions, and further defined radially by the first weft band and the second weft band.

Description

BACKGROUND

There are several different types of hair extensions, but the most common types include loose hair strand extensions that are not attached to one another, and hair weft extensions that are gathered together in some manner along a common edge or band. Loose hair strand extensions can be very time consuming to apply, and with the improvement in hair weft technologies, application of hair weft extensions has become more and more popular.
Methods used to attach different hair wefts available on the market are widespread, including the use of mechanical attachment, such as with clips, beads, clamps, or the like; the use of adhesives including chemical and heat setting types; or the use of natural hair for the attachment, e.g., braiding, weaving, tying, knotting, etc. There are advantages and disadvantages to each of these attachment approaches. For example, though adhesives can be relatively firm their binding power, they can be difficult to remove and/or can be injurious to the hair or painful to the scalp. Mechanical attachment devices, on the other hand, if they are too large, can be highly visible and can interfere with hair care.
In accordance with these shortcomings, it would be desirable to provide a hair weft or hair weft system that is both relatively easy to apply to a subject, provides an acceptable way of hiding mechanical hardware, and is not damaging to the hair or scalp.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is drawn to a hair weft and method of making the same, a system for applying a hair extension to subject, and a method of attaching a hair extension to a subject. In one example, the hair weft can comprise a first hair weft portion with a first weft band supporting a first plurality of extension hairs, and a second hair weft portion with a second weft band positioned in a doubled-up configuration against the first weft band. A plurality of intergap attachment regions can be positioned along the first weft band and the second weft band, adjoining the first weft band to the second weft band. The hair weft can further comprise a plurality of weft band gaps defined laterally by adjacent pairs of intergap attachment regions, and further defined radially by the first weft band and the second weft band.
In another example, a system for applying a hair extension to a subject can comprise the hair weft described herein, and a wire extension loop for pulling natural hair of a subject through the weft band gaps. Other components can include micro-link beads for feeding the natural hair therethrough and holding the hair weft in place against a scalp of the subject, and a crimping tool for crimping the micro-link beads onto the natural hair of the subject.
In another example, a method of attaching hair extensions on a subject can comprise obtaining a hair weft comprising a doubled-up weft band including a plurality weft band gaps between a first weft band and a second weft band, and feeding a portion of natural hair attached to a scalp of the subject through a weft band gap. Additional steps can include applying a micro-link bead to the portion of natural hair that was fed through the weft band gap, and deforming the micro-link bead on the portion of natural hair and against the doubled-up weft band to secure the hair weft in place against the scalp.
In still another example, a method of making a hair weft can comprise obtaining a first hair weft portion comprising a first weft band supporting a first plurality of extension hairs and a second hair weft portion comprising a second weft band supporting a second plurality of extension hairs, and aligning the first weft band with the second weft band. An additional step can include attaching the first weft band to the second weft band at multiple locations to form a plurality of intergap attachment regions, while leaving a plurality of weft band gaps defined laterally by adjacent pairs of intergap attachment regions, and further defined radially by the first weft band and the second weft band.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic front plan view of a hair extension system in accordance with an example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic bottom view of a portion of the hair extension system of FIG. 1, taken along section A-A;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the hair extension system of FIGS. 1 and 2, taken along section B-B of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4A is a schematic top view of a portion of the hair extension system of FIG. 2, taken along section C-C in accordance with one example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4B is a schematic top view of a portion of the hair extension system of FIG. 2, taken along portion C-C in accordance with another example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic front plan view of an alternative hair extension system in accordance with another example of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic front plan view of yet another alternative hair extension system in accordance with another example of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular structures, process steps, or materials disclosed herein, but is extended to equivalents thereof as would be recognized by those ordinarily skilled in the relevant arts. It should also be understood that terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular examples only and is not intended to be limiting. The same reference numerals in different drawings represent a corresponding element of the same or similar embodiment. Numbers provided in flow charts and processes are provided for clarity in illustrating steps and operations and do not necessarily indicate a particular order or sequence.
In accordance with examples herein, the present disclosure is drawn to a hair weft and method of making the same, a system for applying a hair extension to subject, and a method of attaching a hair extension to a subject. In one example, the hair weft can comprise a first hair weft portion with a first weft band supporting a first plurality of extension hairs, and a second hair weft portion with a second weft band positioned in a doubled-up configuration against the first weft band. A plurality of intergap attachment regions can be positioned along the first weft band and the second weft band, adjoining the first weft band to the second weft band. The hair weft can further comprise a plurality of weft band gaps defined laterally (side-to-side, as shown in FIG. 1) by adjacent pairs of intergap attachment regions, and further defined radially by the first weft band and the second weft band. It is noted that the term “radially” is used in this context as it is understood that when the hair weft is applied to the scalp of a subject, there is typically some scalp curvature; thus, the relative direction described is radial or outward from the scalp when hair weft is applied to the subject.
In another example, a system for applying a hair extension to a subject can comprise the hair weft described herein, and a wire extension loop for pulling natural hair of a subject through the weft band gaps. Other components can include micro-link beads for feeding the natural hair therethrough and holding the hair weft in place against a scalp of the subject, and a crimping tool for crimping the micro-link beads onto the natural hair of the subject.
In another example, a method of attaching hair extensions on a subject can comprise obtaining a hair weft comprising a doubled-up weft band including a plurality weft band gaps between a first weft band and a second weft band, and feeding a portion of natural hair attached to a scalp of the subject through a weft band gap. Additional steps can include applying a micro-link bead to the portion of natural hair that was fed through the weft band gap, and deforming the micro-link bead on the portion of natural hair and against the doubled-up weft band to secure the hair weft in place against the scalp. Additional optional steps can include feeding a second portion of natural hair attached to the scalp of the subject through a second weft band gap; applying a second micro-link bead to the second portion of natural hair that was fed through the second weft band gap; and deforming the second micro-link bead on the second portion of natural hair against the doubled-up weft band to further secure the hair weft in place against the scalp. Typically, the hair weft has more than two weft band gaps, e.g., from 3 to 100 weft band gaps, and thus, the method can further include feeding discrete portions of natural hair through each of the weft band gaps, applying a micro-link bead to each the discrete portions of natural hair, and deforming each micro-link bead against the doubled up weft band to further secure the hair weft in place against the scalp.
In a related embodiment, once the hair weft is applied to the scalp, there will be inevitable hair growth. Thus, after hair growth, tightening of the hair weft can be carried out by the steps of opening one or more deformed micro-link bead; sliding the doubled-up weft band up against the scalp; and re-deforming the micro-link bead on the portion of natural hair and against the doubled-up weft band to secure the hair weft in place against the scalp. Depending on the micro-link bead chosen for use, they can typically be reused a few times (e.g., 2 to 4 times), and then replaced. If the weft does not move up or tighten easily on the subject, then the hair professional can run the natural hair between the index finger and thumb and pull down on the natural hair, allowing hair to become disentangled, making it easier to tighten as described herein.
In still another example, a method of making a hair weft can comprise obtaining a first hair weft portion comprising a first weft band supporting a first plurality of extension hairs and a second hair weft portion comprising a second weft band supporting a second plurality of extension hairs, and aligning the first weft band with the second weft band. An additional step can include attaching the first weft band to the second weft band at multiple locations to form a plurality of intergap attachment regions, while leaving a plurality of weft band gaps defined laterally by adjacent pairs of intergap attachment regions, and further defined radially by the first weft band and the second weft band.
In each of the various embodiments described herein, whether discussing the hair weft, or related systems or methods, there may be some common features of each of these embodiments that further characterize options in accordance with principles discussed herein. Thus, any discussion of the hair wefts, systems, or methods, either alone or in combination, is also applicable to the other embodiments not specifically mentioned. For example, a discussion of the weft band in the context of the hair wefts is also applicable to the related systems and/or methods, and vice versa.
In each of these examples, it is noted that the hair weft band can be any of a number weft band types. In one example, the hair weft band (either one or both of the first and second hair weft bands) can be machine weft band. Machine wefts are made by sewing strands of the extension hair together a hair sewing machine. Thus, the hair itself is bound together along the weft, and there is no need for the use of other support material, such as polyurethane, fabric, etc. Typically, machine made wefts provide one continuous track of hair, and are sometimes glued at the ends to keep them from unraveling, though other techniques can also be used. Typically, the machine is used to prepare the machine weft band at a location along the hair near one end, leaving a portion of hair on one side of the weft band, and a shorter portion on the other side of the weft band. This is done to maximize the length of the hair on one side of the weft. That being said, the weft band can be prepared anywhere along the length of the hair, from the middle to near one end (leaving a “mustache” along one side of the machine weft. Furthermore, with machine wefts, these can be prepared by double wefting (regular) or by a newer single weft process, sometimes called thin weft or light weft. Whatever technique is used to prepare the machine weft, the key unifying principle is that a hair sewing machine uses the hair itself to form the hair weft band. Though machine hair wefts are described herein in some detail, and the exemplary FIGS. set forth an example that uses a machine weft, it is noted that alternatively, the hair weft band can be of any other type that is practical, as long as it can be effectively “doubled up” to form the weft band gaps described herein. For example, the hair weft band can be of a polyurethane or other skin-like material, fabric or other thin gauze-like material, transparent or translucent materials that are difficult to see, or the like. Alternatively, the hair wefts of the present disclosure can be hand tied as well, though this can be much more labor intensive.
As mentioned herein, the present disclosure provides hair wefts that are “doubled-up” along the hair weft band, and the “two” hair weft bands are attached together at various locations at intergap attachment regions. In certain examples, these intergap attachment regions are provided by stitching, gluing, clipping, binding, tying, or the like. In one example, these intergap attachment regions can be configured to be substantially perpendicular (See FIG. 1) to the general direction of the first and second weft bands, or in another example, can be acutely angled (See FIG. 6) with respect to the general direction of the first and second weft bands. Furthermore, the first hair weft portion and the second hair weft portion (making up the “two” hair wefts) can actually be provided by a single hair weft that is folded to form the doubled-up configuration. With folded configurations, the weft band can merely be folded in half, or folded in some other configuration that makes sense. For example, in one example, the outermost two quartiles of a hair weft can be folded to meet in the center of the hair weft, making the edges of the new “doubled-up” hair weft rounded (as shown in FIG. 1 at 30 and described in further detail hereinafter). In one specific manufacturing example, the hair weft can be sewn together so that the weft band is essentially configured in a circle, with the ends being attached together (by stitching, gluing, clipping, pinning, snapping, etc.). Then, the circular weft band can be flattened to form the “doubled-up” configuration, with the seam where the ends were attached together being positioned either at one end of the doubled-up weft, or somewhere between the two new ends, e.g., the middle. This latter approach can be desirable because at the end of the doubled-up weft, there will be no seam, and the seam will be hidden against the scalp when applied to the subject. Alternatively, the first hair weft portion and the second hair weft portion can comprise at least two separate and distinct hair wefts that are aligned together to form the doubled-up configuration. In either case, the first weft band and the second weft band can be configured so that they are doubled up along the entire length thereof, but this is not required. In still further detail, the intergap attachment regions can be positioned sporadically or in a pattern, but are typically positioned periodically along the first weft band and the second weft band to provide evenly spaced points of attachment between the hair weft and the human hair. Exemplary distances between adjacent intergap attachment regions can be from ⅛ inch to ½ inch, or any other distance that provides an acceptable gap for attaching the hair weft tightly to the scalp of a subject.
Turning now to the FIGS., it is noted that the drawings herein are not to be considered as being to scale, and are thus, merely schematic to assist in showing and describing an embodiment of the present disclosure. Furthermore, to keep the drawings simple, such as in FIG. 2, not all of the extension hair is shown, even though it is presumed to be present. This is to provide clarity to the drawings without the distraction of hair obscuring features of the drawings. Additionally, hair is shown with some perspective to the extent necessary to depict various features of the hair wefts, systems, and related methods. The drawings are not provided to limit the scope of the present disclosure. These examples are merely presented to show an example of the various hair wefts, systems, and methods can be prepared and used as described herein.
FIG. 1 illustrates a plan schematic view of a hair weft 10 and a hair extension system in accordance with examples of the present disclosure. Specifically, a hair weft is shown having a first hair weft portion 10A and a second hair weft portion (not shown in this FIG., but shown in FIGS. 2 and 3). The hair weft includes extension hair 12 and a weft band 14, which in accordance with examples of the present disclosure, is actually two weft bands that are “doubled-up” and attached together, as will be shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2 and 3. The weft band includes a plurality of weft band gaps 16, as well as a plurality of intergap attachment regions 18, which can be provided by stitching, gluing, clipping, binding, tying, or the like. Stitching, either with hair or with thread, provides a particularly desirable approach for attaching the “two” wefts together (either a single folded weft, or multiple separate wefts attached together along the length of the weft band). The weft band gap can be any size that provides the desired function of threading natural hair through the gap and allowing the securing of the weft to the scalp by a fastener of some type or by the hair itself, but typically, a gap of about ⅛ to ½ inch seems to work well, with about a ¼ inch gap being typical. In one specific example, the weft can be a single unit, or can be part of a larger set of wefts, such 2 to 16 piece set of doubled up weft extension human hair (e.g., 5 piece set, 8 piece set, etc.).
Turning more specifically to the hair weft system that is also shown in FIG. 1 and in further detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, the hair weft 10 can be applied to the scalp 22 of a subject by pulling the subject's natural hair 20 through the weft band gaps 16, using a tool such as a wire loop 24. Typically, before applying the hair weft, the wire loop is threaded partially with micro-links beads 26. Once the wire loop is inserted through the weft band gap, the natural hair can be threaded though the wire loop using any effective technique, such as by the use of highlighting comb. Then, the natural hair is threaded through the weft band gap where the micro link bead is slid up over the natural hair and crimped tight against the hair weft band using a crimping tool 28, such as extension pliers. Because the hair weft actually comprises two hair wefts that are “doubled-up,” there may be no visible micro-link bead once the bead is closed, i.e. the micro-link bead becomes positioned between the “two” wefts that are attached together. Over time, the micro-link bead may also become even less visible as it works its way into the hair up against (or even partially into) the hair weft band. Furthermore, as can be seen particularly in FIG. 1, there are many attachment points where the natural hair is used to attach the hair weft to the scalp, thus providing an even distribution of weight on the natural hair. This leads to a lower likelihood that any of the individual hair strands or small groups of hair strands will become overstrained and break do to the stress of the crimped bead and/or the weight of the hair extension.
FIG. 2 provides a schematic bottom view of the hair extension system of FIG. 1, taken along section A-A. This view is informative in that it shows how the hair weft band 14 can be “doubled-up” and attached to provide both intergap attachment regions 18 (which in this example, is stitching), and weft band gaps 16. As can be seen, the weft band gaps are defined by the space between adjacent intergap attachment regions or stitches, as well as by the space between a first weft band 14 a and a second weft band 14 b. Thus, the first weft band and the second weft band are attached together to form the hair weft of the present disclosure. As shown in this particular example, since there is not stitching shown at fold 30, this is an example of a single, machine weft band being folded essentially in half (or at some other desired fraction) to form both the first weft band and the second weft band, as well as the first hair weft portion 10A and the second hair weft portion 10B, respectively. As mentioned previously, this is not required. Two separate hair wefts (even of different types, colors, etc.) can be joined together similarly to form the single “doubled-up” unitary hair weft described in accordance with examples of the present disclosure. Again, as mentioned previously, FIG. 2 also shows the subject's natural hair 20 as it is brought though the micro-link beads 26 and crimped in place, as shown at 26A. It is noted that the micro-link bead crimped in place in a manner that is essentially parallel to the direction of the weft band, which can be preferred so that the subject does not feel the micro-link bead when wearing the hair weft. However, the bead can be oriented in other directions, such as at an angle or perpendicularly with respect to the general direction of the hair weft band direction. This is not typically done in this way, as the micro-link bead would tend to stick out and be more visible, or be more noticeable in feel to the subject wearing the hair weft. However, the micro-link bead can be positioned this way to prevent the micro-link bead from slipping through the weft band gap if the weft band gap is too large relative to the micro-link bead. Other methods can also be used to prevent this from occurring, as will be explained in greater detail in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5, and 6.
FIG. 3 sets forth a schematic cross-sectional view of the hair extension system of FIGS. 1 and 2, taken along section B-B of FIG. 2. In this FIG. the first weft band 14A and the second weft band 14B are shown with the subject's natural hair 20 being positioned therebetween. The extension hair 12 of the hair weft is also shown, and as visible in this specific view, the micro-link bead 26 is partially obscured from view as being positioned between at least a portion of the hair strands of the extension hair.
FIGS. 4A and 4B each provide a schematic top view of a portion of the hair extension system of FIG. 2, taken along section C-C. In this top view, an optional retaining structure 18A, such as an additional band, ribbon, hair strand, stitch, or the like can be used to prevent the a crimped micro-link bead (not shown) from slipping through the weft band gap 16. Similar to that previously described, hair weft includes extension hair (not shown in this FIG, but shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) and a weft band 14 (which is actually a “doubled-up” weft band). The weft band includes a plurality of weft band gaps, as well as a plurality of intergap attachment regions 18, which can be provided by stitching, gluing, clipping, binding, tying, or the like. Specifically in FIG. 4A, the retaining structure is provided by a ribbon that acts to retain the micro-link bead from passing through the weft band gap. The retaining structure could also be provided by hair from weft itself that passes along the top to help retain the crimped micro-link bead from passing through the weft band gap. Conversely, FIG. 4B specifically shows that simple stitching with thread or yarn can be used for the retaining structure, which in this case is provided by a chain-link stitch, but could be provided by any stitching structure know in the art that functions to allow the natural hair (not shown) to be pulled through the weft band gap, but also provides a mechanism of preventing a crimped micro-link bead from passing completely through the weft band gap.
FIGS. 5 and 6 provide separate schematic front plan views of alternative extension wefts 10 that can be prepared in accordance with other examples of the present disclosure. These extension wefts are similar to that shown in FIG. 1, except that the weft band 14, the weft band gaps 16, and the intergap attachment regions 18 are configured differently. In FIG. 5, more elaborate stitching, or sidewall stitching 18B, is used along the side of the hair weft band to provide additional structural support, as well as a smaller opening along the top to prevent the micro-link bead from passing therethrough. FIG. 6, on the other hand, provides intergap attachment regions, such as provided by stitching or some other attachment mechanism, that are acutely angled with respect to the general direction weft band. This configuration provides the additional benefit allowing the micro-link bead 26 to also be hidden within the weft band gap, without significant risk of the micro-link bead (which is crimped on the natural hair 20) being pulled therethough. In this example, though any acute angle can be used, angles from 30° to 80° (i.e. 10° to 60° from perpendicular) can be effective. The use of angled stitching is not required for placing the micro-link bead within the weft band gap, but FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5, and 6 merely provide a few possible ways of securing the micro-link bead within the weft band gap without it inadvertently being pulled through. Another way of accomplishing this, for example, may be to use a more tightly fitted bead within the weft band gap shown in FIGS. 1-3. In each of these cases, if the desire is to even further obscure or hide the micro-link beads, then the beads can be hidden in the weft gap. All of this being stated, it is notable that hiding the micro-link bead within the weft band gap is not a requirement of the present disclosure. It is merely one advantage that can be implemented by using the “doubled-up” hair wefts described herein.
Reference throughout this specification to “an example” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in an example” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. In addition, various embodiments and example of the present invention may be referred to herein along with alternatives for the various components thereof. It is understood that such embodiments, examples, and alternatives are not to be construed as de facto equivalents of one another, but are to be considered as separate and autonomous representations of the present invention.
Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the description herein, numerous specific details are included to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the disclosure. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the teachings of the present disclosure can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, layouts, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.
While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present disclosure in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the disclosure. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims set forth below.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A hair weft, comprising:

a first hair weft portion comprising a first weft band supporting a first plurality of extension hairs;

a second hair weft portion comprising a second weft band positioned in a doubled-up and aligned configuration against the first weft band;

a plurality of intergap attachment regions positioned along the first weft band and the second weft band, adjoining the first weft band to the second weft band; and

a plurality of weft band gaps defined laterally by adjacent pairs of intergap attachment regions, and further defined radially by the first weft band and the second weft band.

2. The hair weft of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first weft band and the second weft band is a machine weft band.

3. The hair weft of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first weft band and the second weft band is a skin weft.

4. The hair weft of claim 4, wherein the skin weft comprises polyurethane.

5. The hair weft of claim 1, wherein the first hair weft portion and the second hair weft portion is provided by a single hair weft that is folded to form the doubled-up and aligned configuration.

6. The hair weft of claim 5, wherein the single hair weft has two ends that are attached together to form a weft band seam, and wherein the weft band seam is at a location other than at an end of the doubled-up and aligned hair weft.

7. The hair weft of claim 1, wherein the first hair weft portion and the second hair weft portion comprise at least two separate hair wefts that are positioned together to form the doubled-up configuration.

8. The hair weft of claim 1, further comprising a retaining structure along a top portion of hair weft, wherein the retaining structure is configured to prevent micro-link beads from passing through the weft band gaps.

9. The hair weft of claim 1, wherein the intergap attachment regions are substantially perpendicular to the general direction of the first and second weft bands.

10. The hair weft of claim 1, wherein the intergap attachment regions are acutely angled with respect to the general direction of the first and second weft bands.

11. The hair weft of claim 1, wherein the intergap attachment regions are positioned periodically along the first weft band and the second weft band.

12. The hair weft of claim 1, wherein the distance between adjacent intergap attachment regions is from ⅛ inch to ½ inch.

13. The hair weft of claim 1, wherein second weft band supports a second plurality of extension hairs.

14. A system for applying hair extension, comprising:

the hair weft of claim 1; and

a wire extension loop for pulling natural hair of a subject through the weft band gaps.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising micro-link beads for feeding the natural hair therethrough and holding the hair weft in place against a scalp of the subject.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising a crimping tool for crimping the micro-link beads onto the natural hair of the subject.

17. A method of attaching hair extensions on a subject, comprising:

obtaining a hair weft comprising a doubled-up weft band including a plurality weft band gaps between a first weft band and a second weft band;

feeding a portion of natural hair attached to a scalp of the subject through a weft band gap;

applying a micro-link bead to the portion of natural hair that was fed through the weft band gap; and

deforming the micro-link bead on the portion of natural hair and against the doubled-up weft band to secure the hair weft in place against the scalp.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of:

feeding a second portion of natural hair attached to the scalp of the subject through a second weft band gap;

applying a second micro-link bead to the second portion of natural hair that was fed through the second weft band gap; and

deforming the second micro-link bead on the second portion of natural hair against the doubled-up weft band to further secure the hair weft in place against the scalp.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the hair weft has from 3 to 100 weft band gaps, and the method further includes feeding discrete portions of natural hair through at least most of the weft band gaps, applying a micro-link bead to each the discrete portions of natural hair, and deforming each micro-link bead against the doubled up weft band to further secure the hair weft in place against the scalp.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the hair weft comprises:

a first hair weft portion comprising the first weft band supporting a first plurality of extension hairs;

a second hair weft portion comprising the second weft band positioned in a doubled-up configuration against the first weft band;

a plurality of intergap attachment regions positioned along and adjoining the first weft band and the second weft band, wherein adjacent intergap attachment regions define laterally the weft band gaps.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of feeding the portion of natural hair through the weft band gap is carried out using a wire extension loop.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the step of applying the micro-link bead to the portion of natural hair that was fed through the weft band gap is carried out by pulling the portion of natural hair through the micro-link bead with the wire extension loop.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of deforming the micro-link bead is carried out using a crimping tool.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein after hair growth, further comprises the steps of:

opening one or more deformed micro-link bead;

sliding the doubled-up weft band up against the scalp; and

re-deforming the micro-link bead on the portion of natural hair and against the doubled-up weft band to secure the hair weft in place against the scalp.

25. A method of making hair weft, comprising:

obtaining a first hair weft portion comprising a first weft band supporting a first plurality of extension hairs, and a second hair weft portion comprising a second weft band supporting a second plurality of extension hairs;

aligning the first weft band with the second weft band; and

attaching the first weft band to the second weft band at multiple locations to form a plurality of intergap attachment regions, while leaving a plurality of weft band gaps defined laterally by adjacent pairs of intergap attachment regions, and further defined radially by the first weft band and the second weft band.