2-Year Old North West Gets Hair Extensions

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Extensions are no stranger to celebrities. I discuss their use, and the risks associated with them, quite frequently. But this week, after seeing photos of 2-year old North West with extensions, it seemed appropriate to discuss them, yet again! 

To get right to the point, hair extensions are extremely harmful to your hair follicles. Because of the excess weight and pulling, hair extensions, when worn too much, can lead to a type of hair loss called "traction alopecia." Traction alopecia is a form of "scarring alopecia" and characterized by an obliteration of the hair follicles. Hair transplantation is the most effective way to reverse this condition.

While this may seem extreme, it does happen, and more frequently than these extension-loving celebrities may want to admit. In the case of North West, the use of extensions at this age is simply not a good idea. Her hair follicles are not as strong, and are more susceptible to damage. 

My advice would be for both mom, and daughter, to stick to more natural styles, for the sake of their hair!

Hair Loss Watch for Kim Kardashian?

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Kim Kardashian recently gave birth to her second child - but now that she has entered postpartum phase, she could start to see some associated hair loss.

Postpartum hair loss is relatively common - but don't worry, it isn't permanent. The medical community believes it could be triggered by the hormonal fluctuations that occur during this period. While pregnant, women see a surge in their estrogen and progesterone levels (which is why women have such great hair when pregnant) - and after the baby is born, these levels return to the pre-pregnancy level. It is this sudden drop-off in hormone levels that causes the hair follicles to go into short-term shock.

As a result, shedding is quite common in the weeks, and months, following the delivery.

After the birth of her first child, Kim revealved she was using "Hairfinity," a hair supplement, to keep her locks looking good for the cameras. The right supplement can help with stimulating healthy hair growth and boosting the overall health of your hair. The truth is, many women take calcium supplements to improve their health - but the same should also be true for hair supplements. Nutritional supplements like the marine-derived protein based Viviscal Professional, one of my personal favorites for patients, and doctor-designed Hair Vitamin Complex can all boost the vitality of your hair. 

But remember, these supplements can't do everything on their own! They should be combined with a healthy hair diet, as well as a beauty regimen that doesn't create excess stress on your hair.
 

We'll have to wait and see if the reality star experiences any postpartum hair loss - but if she does, I hope her doctors will tell her not to worry. Postpartum hair loss is normal, temporary, and shouldn't be a problem.

Another Reminder About the Dangers of Hair Extensions - Kim Kardashian Edition

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I've long warned about the dangers of hair extensions to women's hair lines, and a new report on Kim Kardashian illustrates the risk. According to these photos published on BeautyWorldNews.com, Kim appears to be showing signs of hair loss consistent with 'traction alopecia.' This type of hair loss, also referred to as 'scarring alopecia,' happens when the follicles are physically damaged - such as from the excessive pulling and strain caused by wearing hair extensions.

Of course, as a doctor who hasn't personally examined her, this is all speculation, but the photos are compelling. 

Traction alopecia is a permanent form of hair loss that results from physical damage to the follicles. Wearing hair extensions, braids, tight pony tails, or certain types of hair styles in which the hair is pulled back tightly towards the vertex of the scalp, can damage the follicles, resulting in this type of balding. Women who suffer from trichotillomania are also at high risk for traction alopecia - in fact, I treated one woman a few years ago who'd lost all of her eyelashes as a result of compulsive pulling.

Other celebrities have been noted to suffer from traction alopecia as well, most notably Naomi Campbell.

Kim Kardashian Promotes Hair Supplement

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Kim Kardashian revealed one of the secrets behind her luscious long locks with a picture of her hair supplement of choice, "Hairfinity." It is likely that Kim is still seeing some postpartum hair loss and the right supplement can help with stimulating healthy hair growth and boosting the overall health of your hair. Kim is hardly the first celebrity to stump for a hair supplement. Reese Witherspoon, Miley Cyrus and Finola Hughes are all promoters of celebrity-favorite Viviscal. 

The truth is, many women take calcium supplements to improve their health - but the same should also be true for hair supplements. Nutritional supplements like the marine-derived protein based Viviscal Professional, one of my personal favorites for patients, and doctor-designed Hair Vitamin Complex can all boost the vitality of your hair. 

But remember, these supplements can't do everything on their own! They should be combined with a healthy hair diet, as well as a beauty regimen that doesn't create excess stress on your hair. 

 

Is Kim Kardashian Going Bald?

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Recent photos of Kim Kardashian have the Internet buzzing that the reality star may be losing her hair. The shots, taken of her in workout clothes, sans makeup, show signs of thinning. Has her love of extensions caught up with her, or is she experiencing postpartum hair loss? 

The answer, probably both. 
Postpartum hair loss is relatively common - but she doesn't need to worry, it isn't permanent. The medical community believes the hair loss could be triggered by the hormonal fluctuations that occur during this period. While pregnant, women see a surge in their estrogen and progesterone levels (which is why women have such great hair when pregnant) - and after the baby is born, these levels return to the pre-pregnancy level. It is this sudden drop-off in hormone levels that causes the hair follicles to go into short-term shock.

As a result, shedding is quite common in the months following the delivery. But the bottom line is, postpartum hair loss is normal, temporary, and shouldn't be a problem or a cause for major concern.

However, if Kim is trying to hide her thinning through the continued use of hair extensions, she could be risking more severe, and possibly permanent damage. My advice to Kim would be to lay off the extensions, especially during this period when her hair is in a weakened state. But if is she really wants to speed up the hair recovery process, she may want to consider a regimen of low level laser therapy and a vitamin supplement like Viviscal Pro to help stimulate healthy hair growth. 

Kim Kardashian Pregnancy - Don't Be Surprised by Telogen Effluvium

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The celebrity press is buzzing with the news that Kim Kardashian, 32, and Kanye West, 35, are expecting their first baby. It's being said that Kim is three months pregnant, which would put the due date in the June/July timeframe. 

Since this is Kim's first baby, she may be surprised by one common symptom in the immediate post-partum period: hair loss. This type of temporary, rapid shedding event is known as 'telogen effluvium' and it frequently occurs in women after child birth. What causes it? During pregnancy, an increase in the hormone estrogen pumps up the normal hair growth cycle, resulting in more total strands and increased 'thickness' in the hair as well. However, what goes up must come down, so once the baby is born, the body brings those hormone levels down again, to a more normal state, and, as a result, the woman's scalp suddenly sheds a lot of hair at once.

This may or may not happen to Kim. (And, remember, it's a common temporary symptom.) If it does, however, I'm sure we'll all be reading about it on Twitter!

What Is Causing Kim Kardashian's Thinning Hair?

Has the stress of the spotlight, not to mention her quickie marriage, finally gotten to Kim Kardashian? The reality star was recently photographed with what appears to be a thinning patch of hair.

From the photo, you can see the 31-year old has what appears to be a bald spot, a telling sign that she is likely suffering from a condition called traction alopecia. Kim, who is said to be a frequent user of hair extensions, now appears to be dealing with the consequences of the pulling, styling and abuse her follicles have suffered over the years.

Traction Alopecia is common among people who wear tight braids, those who use hair extensions over a long period of time, attach wigs or weaves with glue/clips/tape, or those who suffer from trichotillomania (hair-pulling disease), traction alopecia is a result of the chronic tension or pulling on the follicles causing irreparable damage.

The definitive cure is hair transplantation which permanently replaces the follicles into the bald skin. However, without a change in hair-care habits, the transplanted hair is also at risk.