Today’s question comes from Heather whose experiment with professional hair extensions turned into a nightmare:
Heather writes:
I got hair extensions out almost two years ago. I paid four thousand dollars for the kind that are put on individually with clips, which need to be put in and taken out with a tool that only salons have¦they have to be adjusted every month.
After about nine months, as the stylist was adjusting the clips, I noticed that my hair was coming out along with the extensions! There just was no more hair below the clip of hair extension hair. My hair was just GONE. It all broke off at hundreds of different places where the clips were attached. It looked like a horror film!
I cried for months. Now my hair is still growing from my roots, but it’s not getting longer. Is there anything I can do to help strengthen my hair and stop it from breaking? If I were a multi-millionaire, would there be some way? Do movie stars have some way they repair their hair we don’t know about?
The Brains Respond:
Heather, your story is really touching and we`re so sorry for what you`ve gone through. Based on your description, you have a condition known as Traction Alopecia a type of hair loss that is caused by pulling on hair. In some cases this can be caused by wearing your hair in a pony tail, in your case it`s caused by the weight of the extensions. Over a long period of time, this pulling stress can cause the follicle to atrophy and stop producing normal hairs. Depending on the intensity and duration of the stress the follicle may or may not recover. (You should consult a dermatologist to confirm this is really your problem.) For more details please read this summary on Traction Alopecia from emedicine, you may find it helpful.
Hopefully you had the extensions removed in time and your follicles will recover and begin producing thick, strong hairs again. But if your follicles were permanently damaged, there`s not much you can do. Sadly, there is no secret millionaire`s product that can solve your problem; there is no known medical treatment for late-stage Traction Alopecia.
One thing MIGHT help increase hair strength, though is treatment with pure coconut oil. As the Brains have said before, that`s one of the few natural oils that has been shown to penetrate the cortex and provide some strengthening effect to hair. It won`t make your hair grow any thicker, but it might help protect your thinner weaker strands.
We wish you the best of luck “ write back and let us know how your hair turns out.
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Wow. That is awful. A true buyer beware story.
The one & only hair extensions that will not kill your hair is the ‘Hair Infusion” a hair extensions system created by the famous New York hairdresser Rodolfo Valentin, named by the press as the New YOrk Society Hair Designer. His infusion, hair extensions technique is trademarked by Rodolfo and till the present only you can have it done at his salon. It is safe to your own hair!, see by yourself by visiting his website and also reading the hundreds of customers’ testimonials, that like myself they are extremely happy. I am wearing them from over a year and my hair is healthier than ever before!
http://hairinfusion.com
or
http://haironpieces.com
or
http://www.rodolfovalentin.com
ENJOY!
Somehow I’m skeptical that hair extensions created by a famous hairdresser would be any better than any other hair extensions. Hairdressers know about cutting and shaping hair. That doesn’t mean they know anything about making hair extensions. It’s like a mechanic. Just because they know how to work on and fix cars doesn’t mean they could create one from scratch.
And testimonials are nice, but of course people are going to say nice things after they just spent hundreds of dollars on hair extensions. Saying anything bad about them would be akin to admitting that you were a sucker and someone took advantage of you. Testimonials mean very little unless they are negative.
But I’m open minded. Feel free to prove this side of the beauty brains wrong.
I think it’s a bit harsh to imply that everyone who says something nice in a testamonial is either a liar or a sucker. I think some of these people honestly like the hair extensions they have. The point of the post is to recognize that you MAY be causing damage to your hair. Just because 1 person has a problem doesn’t mean extensions are bad for everyone; and conversely, just because several people give a positive testamonial doesn’t mean extensions are good for everyone.
Right Brain
OMG, I can’t believe that happened. Was your hair previously damaged or permed before you clipped in your hair extensions? I am going to research this for an article on my blog.
hey ladies, i’m located in NY and I’m a certified hair extension specialist…i’m not going to sit here and convince you what I do isn’t bad for your hair, but it’s not, because I have living proof! All my clients are actually growing the hair extensions out..Check out my website and make sure you read along the FAQs so you understand how it does not break your hair…there is abolutely NO glue, tracks, protein, or braiding…if you have any questions email me at xxhairgoddessxx@aol.com and I’ll be happy to answer any questions
Christina
I just had extensions removed after 5 weeks. They were breaking off my natural hair, which is very fine and thin. The result is that my hair is half as thin as it was, since hair attached to the extensions and the resultant residue from the bond was pulled out during the removal process. I am very sad….and advise those with fine thin hair to stay away from this!
I have had Great Lengths hair extensions on and off for the past three years. Although Great Lengths is not supposed to be damaging I am worried they have pulled out some of my own hair. I would love anyone’s advice on this. I love they way they look, but can they be continually taken out and replaced for years without causing permanent damage?
Thanks for any input!
I had the same thing happen as Heather with two different types of hair extensions. The adhesive/fusion type and the metal clamp on type. My hair is falling out by the root again, as it did with the first ones. I think stylists should do a test with a couple of extensions for a few weeks before the put them on a full head. My hair apparently cannot take the weight. From Pennsylvania
If you have traction alopecia, there is hope!
You CAN reverse the effects by hair restoration. It is a surgical procedure where they take hairs from the back of your head and transplant them to the thinning areas. As long as you discontinue traction, your hair should be restored. It isn’t cheap, but in the long run is an investment and better than coverage products. It will also help give you your confidence back. Definitely find a reputable surgeon and look into it.
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I just got my Great Lengths extensions out today. I had them in for seven months and they were beautiful. Before I got them my hair was beautiful, long, and healthy, i only got them to make my hair a bit longer. When they were taken out today I was horrified. I lost about 5 inches of hair, and the hair’s that left is broken and ugly. Beware of extensions! They are great when you have them, but they do ruin your hair!! Now I have to wait a couple of years to get my hair back.
Julie,
I’ve been doing Great Lengths extensions for some time and the reason your hair broke of was because you left them in to long (7 months WOW!) everyone looses from 50 to 150 hair a day which means that after a while there isn’t that much hair in a bond to support the weight of the extension especially with daily brushing and pulling on the extensions eventually your hair will break. Also a lot of people forget that their hair doesn’t gave the same strength as the extension so they tend to over use the flat iron.
http://www.UrsulasExtensions.com
Sharon,
The metal clamp extensions are the worst one. It’s very important that you use extension with a keratin and protein (same compound as natural hair)such as Great Lengths. Why is the bonds soooooooo important? Well, when you wet and dry you natural hair, your hair expends and contracts, and the keratin/protein bond will expend/contract with the your hair since it’s the same compound.
Metal with NOT once tightened your hair has no room to breath eventually it will break, plus since there is a gap between the clamp and your hair and it’s metal your hair will begin to grow mildew inside the bond from the moisture and product. I would stay away from these extensions.
As someone who sells, wears and does hair extensions, I’ve seen it on clients, customers and myself.
I have used hair extensions to grow my hair to a healthy state but there have been times when I have been crying or consoling those who have not been so fortunate.
After years of experience I recommend the following:
1. Don’t get greedy. I find that stylist lure you to spend money by telling you that the hair extensions will lasts for months to justify the cost. That is where I myself have gotten caught up. I paid so much for the hair and the service that the only way I can justify it is by leaving them in way too long. For best results, take them out within 6-8 weeks.
2. I swear by coconut oil. The hair shaft is able to absorb the oil and it promotes healthy hair follicles.
3. I recommend the silica method which uses an enhanced bead or a new gel based remover for keratin based hair extensions.
For stylist looking for more training on hair extensions visit:
Sunny’s Hair Extension Institute
I’m also a stylist who has been doing extensions for over 6 years. I used to struggle with unhappy clients and experience troubles with my vendors for extensions. It’s all part of the game. The key is to know your client and know your product.
As Nya says, oil treatments and installation methods are VERY important. Also, get your extensions from a reliable source. I get pure Indian hair extensions from perfectlocks.com, they have a good rep and I’m happy with their quality and customer service.
Reading the article gives me chills, and helps me become a better stylist in general by being more careful. Thanks!!!
I just wanted to respond to the gal who left her Great Lengths extensions in for 7 months…holy #$&*! I used to use Great Length and the longest I ever left them in for was 5 months and thought that was way too long. With Great Lengths, you have to listen to your stylist when they tell you they last 3-5 months tops. I think 4 months is about right to replace them. I had them and thought they were awesome. My hair was the same when I got them out as when I put them in(had them for over a year)…maybe healthier. Also, even though Great Lengths can be more expensive, the hair is the BEST!!!!! You don’t have to worry about special shampoos or conditioners…only the brush and they give it to you in the salon. I still use my Great Lengths brush(boar brissle brush) now and I don’t have them anymore. If anyone on here wants to get extensions, Great Lengths are the way to go and take care of them…replace after no more than 4 and a half months. Hope this is helpful! Good luck, ladies!!
I have been wearing my hair extensions continuously for over 3 years (removing and replacing/reusing every 3-4 months) and I love them! Never has a nightmare of breakage occurred and my hair is getting thicker and longer.
I do apply them myself (this is not for everyone) with a glue-free, fusion-free bonding product (Tembond) that allows me to reuse the extension hair, saving a lot of $$!!
I think we could be saved from the nightmare of hair extensions “killing our hair” if only we take a moment to ask how we are going to get the hair out
My hair extensions are from here: http://www.manemaxx.com
Hi Girls,
I am a hair extensions specialist in san diego & there is a lot of good information on this blog. First off the hair loc (metal or plastic clip) system is very damaging to the hair. I have seen clients who have had this system done at another salon & come to me for help. Their hair has been sliced above the clip and they have had cuts on their heads. I work only with Hairdreams extensions which is a keratin bond that turns to powder when the removal solution is applied. The removal can be very damaging if the stylist is careless or there is glue or wax in the bond. Also, leaving the hair in too long will damage your hair. It is important to see your stylist every 6 to 8 weeks just to look at your extensions so she can advise you on how long you should leave your extensions in. Everyone is different. When we say 3 to 6 months we mean no matter what, if your hair is starting to look like it may get damaged after only 3 months then you must take them out. A lot of clients try to leave their HX in longer for financial reasons but once the damage is done it can’t be fixed. Please listen to your stylist. I can also tell from doing this for several years, 3 to 4 months is what most hair can handle.
I’ve had my greath lenghts for about 5 months. I am very satisfied I have noticed more are starting to come out, I plan to remove them soon. I was wondering if there are any suggestions for a better brand? And has anyone had Paris Hilton’s Dream Catchers?
OMG … I thought I was losing my mind and perhaps my hair was just this thin prior to the use of these hair extensions … well as it stands, my hair is all jagged and sooooo thin now. I wear the clip in style pieces from Sally’s ($99.00) and actually love the hair itself, it’s just now my bra length hair is no more. I want to cry. I was trying to grow out my long shag and thought this would have been the perfect opportunity with no worries. My hair is worse now than I could have ever imagined.
I will add, 16 years ago I had the ones they glued in and also the ones they braided in … those ripped the daylights out of my hair during the removal process … somebody please make an extension that allows the growth of ones hair rather than these that tear and break so much … good or bad hair, it happens. (my lady friend too)
I have had my Great Lengths hair extentions for 1 month now. Last week I had one taken out and moved up because it completely broke my hair at the connection point. Today, I found two more places where the hair is completely broken off. I am getting them out asap.
Who would have thought that hair extensions would have that effect on your hair. I guess certain types of extensions may not be worth it in the end.
Hair extensions can damage your hair, no matter what approach you take. Do not ask a hairdresser who does the extensions. they will all have a sales pitch for you. Instead, ask a qualified, authentic hairdresser and they will tell you that they do not do hair extensions because they cause years of damage to your hair.
I had both types of extensions (the fancy copper/metal, silicon lined ones) and the glue in, and both damaged my hair equally, because when they fall out (and they all do!) they rip your hair out from the follicle and you lose volumes of hair. I had both types of extensions for only two months and lost one third of my hair volume and length.
It is devastating and it will take me years to recover from this, because the hair lost was from the follicle. It is a devastating experience and you have to listen to me here. DEVASTATING!
Use common sense. If you have extensions in and they fall out, look at them. Did they slip out or rip out? The answer is rip out! Google Jennifer Anderson and hair extensions. She said they ruined her hair and she will never do them again!
DON’T DO THEM. BUY A NEW CAR- It will be cheaper in the long term.
There is no way around this. ALL HAIR EXTENSIONS DAMAGE YOUR HAIR!
I am not suprised to find so many horror stories about hair extensions causing damage, but I am suprised to see the method most to blame being the “clip” method. I’m not sure exactly what method that is supposed to refer to. I do hair extensions (and have been a hairdresser for 20 years)and i use the copper tubes. I chose them precisely because i saw the damage that fusion (glue) methods can cause. Great Lengths, HairDreams and SoCap are all variations of the heat fusion method and HairLoc, Microlinks etc use either a copper tube or an aluminum ring which is clamped tight to hold the hair strands in place. I think that what it really comes down to is how the method is done and how it is maintained.
I require all of my clients to come in for monthly maintenance. I cannot imagine putting any kind of extensions in and not checking up on the client for 4 or 5 months…anything could happen! The hair grows, it sheds, it tangles etc. Some clients experience matting because they are afraid to brush the hair and others pull on the extensions. Fine hair especially needs extra attention. To prevent damage maintenance is key. This service is not a big money maker for me, but it gives me huge peace of mind to know that my clients hair is healthy. How they are removed it also very important. If they do not remove easily without damaging the hair or causing pain the the client I won’t do them. Period.
I will say that (like guns), hair extensions dont kill hair, people kill hair. If you abuse your hair, (or your stylist abuses your hair) it will die.
So, if you do get extensions, make sure they are not heavy (fine, thin hair should have fine, thin extensions)and make sure they are not applied too close to the scalp (this causes pulling) and make sure you get a check-up at least every six weeks. If your stylist says “see you in six months” RUN!
Very nice information. Thanks for this. I’m an Indian hair extension and beauty freak by the way:)
It is really important that women with damaged of very fine hair avoid hair extensions. Or if they really need to attach them, use clip ons so that you can give your hair a rest from the weight.
I would like to know. Is this the same for clip in hair extentions the ones you can take off any time at home and clip in any time?
I have already very weak and thin hair. Thats why I use them
Please help!!!!
Hi Raquel, I suggest you keep a close eye on your hair each night when you remove the clip ons. If you are having hair loss then stop using them. That’s the good thing about clip ons, you can monitor your hair and make sure your natural hair is coping with the weight.
Any idiot who has $4000 to waste on something TEMPORARY for their hair, does not get any sympathy from me.
Sorry.
and why are people saying things like this “It is really important that women with damaged of very fine hair avoid hair extensions.”
That is precisely WHO NEEDS EXTENSIONS.
People with thick hair don’t want or need them. Nor people with normal hair.
Extentions are mainly used for volume, not length
Wow, Kelly you are really exposing your lack of knowledge about hair extensions. I have been adding extensions for years and can assure you, there are HEAPS of women with normal hair getting extensions. In fact, they are a majority. Furthermore, adding length is also very important, not just volume.
I agree with you that women with damaged hair are the ones that need extensions most. Unfortunately I don’t believe there is an extension method that is 100% safe (for any hair type) that is on the market yet.
For anyone that’s interested, here is an article to help you avoid having a bad experience with hair extensions: http://www.sexyalterego.com/2009/07/30-tips-for-a-happy-hair-extension-experience/
I think the crux of the matter is; some women can have hair extensions, wear them, and not suffer damage. Having said that, several factors also apply-like; who’s actually doing the hair? Are they qualified? What method are they using? How are you, yourself caring for your extensions? And definatetly, you need to make sure th emethod is NOT pulling at your hair so tightly that it hurts, and that the method of application is not weighing your hair down- the lady in the article/letter told of her method, individual clips and such-I would not have tried this with my own hair-as someone else pointed out, unfortunately, weight-bearing-even down to pulling your own pony tail back too tight can cause immense starin-so I would throw that out of the window straight away. It also depends on the length-to some degree.
I tried clip in extensions (larger clips, that had around 8 pieces to it and I found this was not all that nice for my hair (but again, different people) so I have a natural glue resin mix (hot) (I am really allergic to normal glues)
that is easy to take out (where much damage can happen, using acetones and such) yet holds exceptionally well. My hair is healthy and just past my shoulders with a long fringes. I add (my hairdresser) for volume, as it is fine, with slender pieces of hair. My hair is healthy, vibrant and strong- I also use virgin coconut oil to strenthen, but this is optional.
There are many types available on the market, but I would be dubious-although theire is the micro-loop system which may be more benificial- I don’t know, I have not tried it myself. But basically the glue that is used on my hair is not bad for my hair at all. Which is great
(Also 4 thousand seems quite a lot for hair) But I don’t know, that is the u.s.a..so..
I’m also extremely surprised about the metal clips. With a cliental over forty, specializing in the copper coil technique, I’ve never seen any damage to my client’s natural hair. It could have been that the stylist was not trained properly and was pulling unwanted hairs from different areas.
Hair extensions are a great way to get instant long, beautiful hair, or even add some fullness. The average cost runs between $500 – $3000 and even higher, depending on the quality of hair used.
Keep in mind, Nothing is as expensive, as cheap hair. You will have to keep purchasing it several times throughout the year.
Quality human hair is expensive and at the same time can last a long time. Synthetic hair is much cheaper, but will not last as long and has some other restrictions.
There are many different hair extensions methods out there today. Some are designed for thick hair, normal hair, thin hair, curly hair, etc. My system is designed for all hair types; using NO glue, chemical, “protein,” tracks, or any damage to your natural hair. It is a safe. quick, and comfortable technique.
If hair extensions are not attached and removed properly, you could end up with permanent hair damage. The secret to not getting bad hair extensions and damaged hair is to do your research on the methods and the hair stylists. Make sure your hair stylist is properly trained and in some cases certified to offer hair extension services.
After you get hair extensions, you must go back to the salon every 6-12 weeks or so for maintenance, depending on your natural hair growth. The stylist will remove the extensions and place them back closer to the root of the hair. This is an important appointment that you shouldn’t skip. As your hair grows out, the extensions (which are attached to your hair) will fall farther down the hair shaft. We naturally lose hair every day –100 or so strands. As these hairs fall out at the root, the ends of them become trapped in with the extension hair, causing tangles and other sorts of problems. If you don’t go back in for maintenance your hair could become seriously tangled and damaged. Maintenance visits can cost several hundred dollars, however you won’t have to purchase new hair in between because your purchasing REUSABLE hair.
Remember the secret to avoiding bad hair extensions is to do your research. Make sure the hair extension method you are getting is good for your hair type, make sure the stylist is trained and be sure to ask for references to check things out. Good luck to all!
-Hairgoddessofny.com