Why I'm a Fan of Demi Lovato's New Hair Extensions

 

Photo by PR Photos

Demi Lovato, the 22-year old singer and actress, is almost as well known for her constantly changing hair styles as she is her amazing vocals. Now, she's going one step further by announcing a new line of hair extensions called Secret Color.

Anyone who's read this blog or my media interviews knows that I'm highly critical of hair extensions. In many cases, extensions aren't applied properly or are used too often and the artificial weight upon the hair can strain the underlying follicles, resulting in a permanent type of hair loss known as 'traction alopecia.' Over the years, a number of celebrities have been spotted with bald spots and hairline recession as a result of extensions - one of the most well-known examples is Naomi Campbell.

However, Secret Color is different from traditional hair extensions - it isn't clipped or glued onto the hair, instead it is attached by a simple headband which doesn't put pressure on the hair strands or the underlying follicles. This unique design, which is patent-pending, makes it possible for women to wear these extensions without the risks of causing long-term damage to their hair.

So, while I'm not a fan of traditional hair extensions, I do support Ms. Lovato's safer, healthier design. 

Naomi Campbell's Hair Loss Woes

Photo by PR Photos, edited/notated by 
Dr. Alan Bauman

It has long been speculated that Naomi Campbell struggles with traction alopecia. New concerns were sparked this week after she was photographed at an event wearing a wig. 

Over the years, Campbell has been photographed with bald spots, which appear to be the result of years of tight hairstyles, weaves, and extensions. 

Well known for her long time use of hair extensions, the British supermodel appears to be dealing with the consequences of the pulling, styling and abuse her follicles have suffered over many years. Common amongst ethnicities 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.

Hollywood's Unhealthy Obsession with Hair Extensions

 

Photo by PR Photos

The June 21st issue of The Hollywood Reporter has a feature on the growing demand in Hollywood for hair extensions. A wide range of celebrities are reportedly using them - Rihanna, Vanessa Hudgens, Jennifer Aniston, Halle Berry, Jessica Simpson, Beyonce and Jennifer Lopez, just to name a few. And, of course, who can forget Naomi Campbell's side-effects from extensions?

Photo by PR Photos, edited/notated by Dr. Bauman

And that's just the point: hair extensions are actually extremely harmful to the 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.

If you are a regular user of hair extensions, weaves, braids or wigs that attach to the hair, your hair follicles are in danger of permanent damage. 

Hollywood often leads the world when it comes to style, but the new extension trend is definitely one to avoid.

Naomi Campbell's Shocking Bald Patches

It has long been speculated that Naomi Campbell struggles with traction alopecia. New concerns were sparked this week after photos taken during a recent summer vacation showed the supermodel with shocking bald patches and a receding hairline.

Known for her long time use of hair extensions, it appears the British supermodel is now dealing with the consequences of the pulling, styling and abuse her follicles have suffered over many 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), and 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.

Hair Loss Tied to Braiding, Weaving Styles

Very tight braiding or weaving may be linked to a permanent type of hair loss that affects many African American women, according to a U.S. study.

Prolonged pulling at the hair strands may cause inflammation of the hair follicle, which has been showed to lead to scarring.

In principle, this could lead to scarring hair loss or central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, a type of balding that starts at the top of the scalp and then spreads slowly to the rest.

The study, published in the Archives of Dermatology, is based on health questionnaires and scalp examinations of 326 African American women.

Nearly all of them straightened their curls chemically and about one in six had scarring hair loss. More than half the women with this condition said they had braids, weaves or hair extensions, as compared to only a third of those with less severe hair loss.

In a previous post I discussed Naomi Campbell's traction alopecia, the use of hair extensions is a known cause of severe hair loss because of traction alopecia.

Naomi Campbell's Traction Alopecia

Naomi Campbell appears to be suffering from traction alopecia, as seen in this recent photo taken during a summer photo shoot for designer Dennis Basso.


Well known for her long time use of hair extensions, the British supermodel may be now dealing with the consequences of the pulling, styling and abuse her follicles have suffered over many years.


Common amongst ethnicities 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.


The use of hair extensions is a known cause of severe hair loss because of traction alopecia.