Hair Extension

Abstract

A hair extension method and application tool ( 10 ) bond a hair-piece, such as a hair braid ( 4 ), to an existing lock of hair ( 22 ) using an electro-magnetically curable adhesive which may be cured substantially athermally.

1 . A method of joining a hairpiece to a lock of hair to provide a hair extension, which method comprises bonding said hairpiece to said lock using an adhesive that is curable by exposure to electromagnetic radiation. 
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , in which the steps of bringing together the adjacent regions of the hairpiece and the lock to be joined in contact with an amount of electromagnetically curable adhesive, and exposing said adhesive to electromagnetic radiation to cure said adhesive. 
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein said adhesive is pre-applied to an end region of said hairpiece. 
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 1 , which includes the step of clamping adjacent regions of said hairpiece and said lock in a tool and exposing said adhesive to electromagnetic radiation to cure it. 
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said adhesive is cured using a process which does not require a significant input of thermal energy. 
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 5 , where said adhesive is a UV curable adhesive. 
   
   
       7 . A tool for the attachment of a hairpiece to a lock of hair using an adhesive curable by exposure to electromagnetic radiation, said tool comprising clamp means for clamping together in use, in abutting or overlapping fashion adjacent end regions of the lock of hair and the hairpiece, and means for directing electromagnetic radiation at said abutting or overlapping region. 
   
   
       8 . A tool according to  claim 7 , when said tool includes two jaw members mounted for relative hinging movement. 
   
   
       9 . A tool according to  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the facing surfaces of the jaw members includes a groove or profiled guide region for isolating a lock of hair. 
   
   
       10 . A tool according to  claim 8 , including a switch for actuating a source of electromagnetic radiation, said switch being disposed to be closed when said jaw members are hinged towards each other. 
   
   
       11 . A hairpiece having an amount of electromagnetically curable adhesive material provided on a bonding region thereof. 
   
   
       12 . A kit comprising at least one hairpiece as claimed in  claim 11 , in combination with a tool as claimed-in  claim 7 . 
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 2 , which includes the step of clamping adjacent regions of said hairpiece and said lock in a tool and exposing said adhesive to electromagnetic radiation to cure it. 
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 3 , which includes the step of clamping adjacent regions of said hairpiece and said lock in a tool and exposing said adhesive to electromagnetic radiation to cure it. 
   
   
       15 . A tool according to  claim 9 , including a switch for actuating a source of electromagnetic radiation, said switch being disposed to be closed when said jaw members are hinged towards each other.