Hair extensions have become the must-have accessory for most women, Now more and more women are following suit and using the extensions at home and work. Some as young as 19 are experiencing the dangerous side effects that come with trying to transform one's natural hair with hair pieces that make their hair longer and fuller.
This week a hair loss expert at the London Centre of Trichology came out and said that in the last two years, he's seen a 15 percent increase in women seeking treatment after damaging their hair with glue extensions—which he now believes should be straight-up banned before they scalp more women. The trichologist told the BBC that the extension-related hair loss is traction alopecia, which is a condition caused when too much tension is regularly placed on the hair roots, pulling out the hairs, and damaging the follicles permanently. Yikes!
Badly fitted hair extensions can cause traction alopecia and, in recent years, the media has increasingly highlighted various celebrities suffering from the condition after hair extension use.
The prolonged traction (or stress on the hair) loosens the hair from its follicular roots and eventually, if not recognised early, the prolonged traction causes irreversible traction alopecia.
In addition, breakage of the hair close to the root can result, particularly when individual glued or bonded hair extensions fall out or are "lost".
The removal of bonded or glued hair extensions is generally undertaken using the combination of an acetone-like chemical and a pair of flat pliers.
The hair is "picked at" - a bit like removing chewing gum - to remove the extension and, of course, if not done by someone particularly skilled in removal, can also result in damage or breakage.
And, because the natural hair without extensions looks so different - particularly where breakage has occured - some girls become trapped in an endless cycle of damaging hair extension application because they "can't bear" to see their hair without the extensions.
Of course, any hair extension method in the wrong hands has the potential for damage, particularly when too much extension hair is applied to too little of your own hair.
In recent years, there's been an increase in methods using clips or rings that are used to "clamp" the extension hair to the existing hair. By their nature, these too can cause breakage and traction alopecia.
This condition must be recognised early and, either hair extension use should be stopped or an alternative and less stressful method used to prevent continued breakage; or, worse, potential permanent hair loss.
Disadvantages Of Hair Extensions
It is a well known fact that hair extensions can do damage to your natural hair. The glue that is attached to your natural hair can burn and split the ends of your hair. This means that you will almost always be required to have the ends of your hair cut after the extensions are removed.
Also, if a lot of long or heavy extensions are added, this applies additional pressure to your scalp. One of the dangers of extra pressure to your scalp can be a thinning of your natural hair. In some cases there have been reports of headaches from the added weight of the hair or allergies to the bonding glue that is used.
Everyone is different and will react to hair extensions in a different way. They are not necessarily good or bad. It depends on a number of factors that you have to consider.
If you are trying to grow your hair long, you might want to think seriously of the potential damage the hair extensions could do to your long hair quest. However, if you only would like a new look for a few months and are prepared to lose some inches along with the extensions, they can be a great solution.
Even celebrities are experiencing difficulties related to hair extensions.
"Nothing destroys your hair faster than hair extensions," Jennifer Aniston, whose own shag-style cut in the '90s sparked a worldwide hair craze, told Harper's Bazaar magazine in a 2006 interview. "I decided to have a couple of extensions, never knowing you end up with 400 things in your hair that cause your hair to break off."
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