I (meaning I put them in) have put extensions on my hair at 4 inches before. I have had a braider put in extensions in my hair at 2 inches before and I have never been able to do that on my own. She was a good 'hood braider and she had skills. It wasn't scalp tight (as I am tenderheaded), my hair did not come out and I rocked those braids for 2 months before I took them out.