If this pulling on the scalp is stopped early, hair loss may be reversible. However, long-term tension can permanently damage hair follicles, leading to permanent bald spots. Cases of hair extensions causing traction alopecia have been reported since the 1970s in people with various ethnic backgrounds.
There is a high likelihood your hair will grow back. It sounds like you are experiencing shock loss (Telogen effluvium) due to the effect of trauma to your scalp. This condition may last up to 6 months. I recommend you visit your local dermatologist for an evaluation and management.
But sometimes that volume comes at a cost—getting extensions can damage your hair. Leaving them in for too long may pull at your roots and even cause hair loss. Fortunately, you can heal your hair back to how it used to be before your extensions.
When hair extensions are overused or misused, a condition known as traction alopecia may develop throughout the scalp or along the hairline edges, which can contribute to the development of bald spots or hair loss. If traction alopecia is not caught in time, it can become a permanent hair loss situation.
Hair recovery does not happen overnight and will take time, so be patient. It took almost a year until I finally felt like my hair was looking and feeling good again, but now that it is, I take such good care of it!
Synthetic hair extensions are cheaper to replace than repair in many cases, but natural, high-quality human hair extensions can be repaired with proper care and deep conditioning treatments.
Dermatologists recommend using Viviscal Pro, Nutrafol, and Rogaine for their clinical effectiveness. Prenatal vitamins and folic acid supplements can also help. Ask a dermatologist before considering alternative treatments that may cause harm to your health.
If your stylist notices any signs of hair stress, such as thinning, breakage, or increased shedding, it's worth considering a longer break, typically at least three months.
Say you've been wearing extensions for 4 months. By the time you go in for a move up, you would have naturally shed around 12,000 hairs. The majority of them will be caught within the bonds. When the extensions are released or removed, there will be a little pile of hair for your stylist to comb through.
A biotin deficiency may lead to hair loss, and supplements may aid hair growth. However, evidence has not shown that biotin supplements can boost hair growth in those without a deficiency. Biotin is an essential B vitamin that helps the body get energy and nutrients from carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
If your hair is thinning, you might want to consider adding a little seasoning to solve the problem. Rosemary oil has proven to be as effective at encouraging hair regrowth as the popular medication Rogaine. Dermatologist Shilpi Khetarpal explains how in this podcast.
In most people, new hair eventually grows back in the affected areas, although this process can take months. Approximately 50 percent of people with mild alopecia areata recover within a year; however, most people will experience more than one episode during their lifetime.
But sometimes that volume comes at a cost—getting extensions can damage your hair. Leaving them in for too long may pull at your roots and even cause hair loss. Fortunately, you can heal your hair back to how it used to be before your extensions.
Research has found that vitamin D interacts directly with hair follicles. When we have enough vitamin D, it helps hair follicles grow and function properly. This signals the anagen (growth) phase, where thick hair is produced. In essence, maintaining sufficient vitamin D is crucial for healthy hair growth.
Finasteride (Propecia).
You take it daily as a pill. Many men taking finasteride experience a slowing of hair loss, and some may show new hair growth. It may take a few months to tell whether it's working for you. You'll need to keep taking it to retain any benefits.
Why is my hair so thin after using hair extensions? The mechanism behind hair loss caused by hair extensions is pretty simple. The weight of your hair extensions loosens your natural hair shafts from their follicles. This ultimately causes your hair to fall out, creating the appearance of hair thinning.
However, taking breaks from hair extensions is important to allow your natural hair to rest and prevent fusion between the extensions and your hair, as well as to prevent matting and tangling. Alway remove your extensions on a timely basis to avoid hair extension damage.
How Long Do They Last? If you regularly use your clip in hair extensions and care for them well, they can last you anywhere between 3-6 months and sometimes even over a year.
If OTC products aren't working for you, a healthcare provider may recommend specific types of hair regrowth medications, including: Minoxidil (Rogaine®): This U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medication treats pattern baldness. Minoxidil is a topical solution that you rub directly onto your scalp.
Most of the time when people are chatting about the big 3 for hair loss, they are referring to Minoxidil, Finasteride, and Ketoconazole (Nizoral) shampoo. Although, there are some who feel like the third component of the big 3 should be microneedling in place of Ketoconazole shampoo.
A visible scalp through your hair can be a sign that it's thinning (but not always). The factors that contribute to thinning hair (and thus a visible scalp) include stress, diet, vitamin deficiency and ageing.