Is Wearing Extensions Risky?

All extensions also carry risks for the health of our hair. Permanent or temporary extensions in particular can cause considerable damage to the hair.

Extensions are a method of lengthening or adding volume to your hair by adding sections of natural or synthetic hair. Although it is one of the most widely used and aesthetic remedies in the world, it comes with some risks.

Models like Naomi Campbell have said that extensions have given them various hair problems. Nevertheless, they continue to be used without any precautionary measures. But why can they cause problems and what should we know about them? We’ll explain it to you below.

Different types of extensions

There are different types of extensions. They differ in the way you attach them to your hair or scalp. Likewise, the techniques used to fix them determine the level of risk. We tell you more about it.

Extensions with adhesives

In this case, a special glue is used to attach the extensions to the scalp. They must be attached and removed by a hairdresser, and the adhesives used must be hypoallergenic. However, they are not always hypoallergenic.

Braiding extensions

It is a very common technique and also one of the most damaging to hair. It consists of making very fine braids. You hide this in the middle of the hair and sew the extensions to it. The good thing is that no chemicals or heat are used; the negative is that they generate a high tensile load and a high weight.

Microring or clip-in extensions

These are non-permanent extensions that you attach to your hair for a period of two to six months. This technique involves removing strands of hair and securing them with a ring or clip. The procedure must be carried out by a professional hairdresser. With these extensions, too, a strong tensile load acts on the hair.

Silicone and keratin

It’s an adhesive-like technique that consists of melting silicone or keratin on the scalp to hold the extensions in place. They need to be increased every three to four months. For fixation one must use heat, compressed air or ultrasound. However, they also cause high tensile stress on the hair.

Fasten with clips

They are the least damaging method. The extra strands of hair have one or more clips that can be used to attach them to the natural hair. They can then be easily removed, just like a bobby pin or hair clip. They are usually only used on certain occasions and for a few hours.

Find out more: Make your hair grow faster with these 6 vegetable oils

What are the risks?

No hair extension is harmless, but in any case the most harmful techniques are those that are permanent. In the following we point out the dangers associated with it.

Hair loss

It is one of the risks that comes with almost all types of extensions. Since these are bonded to the hair, they prevent the hair from falling out naturally. This can lead to a sudden and severe loss of the hair strands as soon as the extensions are removed.

Chronic irritation

Hair extensions apply tension or tension to the hair follicles. In the long term, this can lead to the loss of the hair follicles and thus to a thinning of the hair. In severe cases, areas of hair loss or “bald spots” appear on the head. If you no longer use the extensions, this can change again, but not if you continue to use them.

damage

Extensions can damage the hair flakes. First and foremost, the hair loses its shine and vitality as a result. Then it can get frizzy or brittle, which in turn leads to hair breakage.

Injuries to the scalp

There are cases when hair extensions can cause damage to the scalp. In particular, they can lead to folliculitis , i.e. inflammation of the hair follicles. When this happens, red papules appear, which sometimes fill with pus and also cause itching and pain.

Allergic reaction

Although it is not very common, there are people who are allergic to the adhesives used or to the extensions themselves. If this is the case, it is necessary to remove them immediately and consult a doctor.

Is the use of extensions recommended?

Beauty shouldn’t be at odds with health. For this reason, the use of extensions is generally not recommended, as all types involve a certain risk. However, if this is very important to a person, it is best to use it sparingly and only occasionally.

Sometimes they are also used to mask certain types of hair loss. However, caution should also be exercised in these cases as some techniques can make the condition worse and cause inflammation and irritation of the scalp.

It is most advisable not to double the length of the natural hair so that it does not exert excessive pulling force. It is also important to visit a good and professional hairdresser who will advise you on your hair type and hair health and tell you which type of extension is best for you.

Recommendations for the use of extensions

If you decide to use extensions, it is best to use natural hair, not synthetic hair, as this is easier to wash and care for. At the same time, you should establish a good care routine to minimize possible side effects.

It is not advisable to dye your hair to homogenize the color as it could lead to more dryness. You should also use the blow dryer sparingly and style your hair gently – always remember that!