Hair Extensions can Result in Irreparable Hair Loss
Hair extensions do not charm youngsters, especially those who have tried them at least once. While many people still see hair extensions as the easiest and pain-free way of solving their thinning hairline, the growing awareness about the harmful effects of hair extensions is forcing many people to stay away from this cosmetic procedure.
An article from DailyGlow.com says trichologists have pointed out overstyling treatments such as hair extensions and bleaching as the basis of hair loss among celebrities. According to them, these procedures result in traction-induced alopecia, which is caused by the pulling of real hair follicles out of the head by gluing extensions to the existing hair. Regular hair extensions cause permanent damage to hair follicles, so one who undergoes such cosmetic procedures regularly is likely to suffer from permanent alopecia.
Hair extensions add extra tension to the existing hair, resulting in thinning, breakage and complete hair loss. In addition to these, re-styling habits like adding and removing fake ponytails, beehive toppers and thickening combs add more stress to the scalp. There are no effective treatments for traction-induced alopecia. The only treatment for this form of hair loss is topical minoxidil (Rogaine), but it may not help in all cases. Such patients will have to ultimately resort to highly expensive hair transplant procedures.
Hair extensions are typically fitted on the scalp using either hot fusion or cold fusion bonding. While hot fusion bonding uses a hot glue to attach the extensions on the scalp, cold fusion bonding uses a keratin-based polymer to attach the hair instead. Another popular method is the weave method where the hair stylist braids the hair into your own hair. Typically hair extension cost ranges from $300 to $3,500 but can go even higher depending on the size of the extension and the nature of hair extensions.
There have been wide criticisms against hair extension over the recent past in several countries. In the U.K, several lawsuits have been filed against hair extension companies by women who suffered drastic hair loss following the procedure. There have been efforts to ban the use of hair extensions in the country.
Barry Stevens, a member of the Trichological Society who has been an expert witness in court cases involving women who have developed permanent baldness from hair extensions, was quoted in Daily Mail Online saying, 'Women using extensions may not be aware of the presence of traction alopecia. But with time this becomes permanent alopecia.'
HairFear
