Kaley Cuoco Ditches Short Hair

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Kaley Cuoco celebrated wrapping up another season of her hit show with a new look. The star ditched her character's bob for long extensions, saying on Instagram of the decision, "It's very important for me to change my look after wrapping each season :) I love playing Penny, but it's good for me to bring it back to Kaley, last year I chopped it all off- this year I'm doing the opposite."

While extensions may seem like an easy way to change up your style, they aren't without risks. 

The reality is, 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 this is one trend I recommend avoiding!

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!

Lady Gaga Bleaches Eyebrows Every Day

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It is no secret that Lady Gaga makes some unique, and sometimes questionable, decisions in the name of beauty of fashion. The risk-taker recently admitted to bleaching her eyebrows everyday, in order to make them, "more versatile."

The reveal has some questioning whether or not this is safe, or healthy for your eyebrows.

Lady Gaga is definitely putting her follicles at risk with this kind of extreme regimen. Many women don’t realize that chemicals like bleaches and dyes can fundamentally change the structure of their hair, including your eyebrows, making them weaker and more susceptible to breakage and damage. Overusing these treatments and frequent color changes can lead to breakage, hair fallout, loss of density and volume, and in some severe cases, even traction alopecia.

 
While eyebrow transplants can be used to restore living and growing follicles into the eyebrow area, her best bet would be to lay off the bleach, and give her follicles a break, before she causes serious damage.

Do Man Buns Cause Baldness?

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Man buns have been growing in popularity, thanks to celebrities like Jared Leto, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Chris Hemsworth, to name just a few. 

But are they causing men to go bald? They answer, they can. 

I talk a lot on the blog about women who put themselves at risk of traction alopecia, a condition that can lead to irreversible damage to the hair, as well as hair loss, but the risks extend to men as well. Men who constantly wear their hair in tight styles, like the man bun, are at risk of damaging their hair, and of permanent damage, such as hair loss. I recommend changing up your style regularly, to avoid constant tension and pulling of the hair, but the best thing for your hair is to avoid these styles, or limiting their frequency at the very least. 

Amber Rose Gets Long, Brown Extensions

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We can add Amber Rose's name to the ever-growing list of celebrities wearing hair extensions. The star recently ditched her bleached pixie in favor of long, brown extensions, but while her new locks look great, they may be putting her at risk for hair problems down the road. 

As I've said many times before, extensions are extremely bad for the hair! The extra weight and pulling effect can physically damage the hair follicles, resulting in permanent hair loss (i.e., traction alopecia). A number of celebrities, from Naomi Campbell to Kim Kardashian, appear to be suffering the after-effects of these products.

Female hair loss is often caused by genetic factors, but there are a number of other ways you can damage your hair - physical damage from extensions, wigs, braids, pony-tails, etc. is something every woman needs to be aware of. It's ok to do so every once in a while, but 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 extension trend is definitely one I hope to see end soon! 

Is Hair Stitching Bad for Your Follices?

The success of fantasy and historically themed shows like Game of Thrones, Vikings, Once Upon a Time and Outlander is leading to a new hair styling trend in Hollywood: hair stitching.

But will it harm your hair?

While many common styling practices like braids, extensions, even pony-tails, can cause physical damage to the follicles if they're over-used, in extreme cases leading to traction alopecia (see Naomi Campbell's bald spots), hair stitching does not appear to pose any significant risks. The stitch itself is just woven through the existing hair, so the only issue would maybe be the anchored braids if they were too tight over time. However, in most cases, hair stitching is likely to be limited to special occasions, not a "daily 'do," so the impact would be minimal.

Bottom line: hair stitching is not a risk to the long-term health of your hair, so throny up!

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

 

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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. 

What is Trichotillomania?

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London's Daily Mail newspaper ran a story earlier this week about one woman's 30-year battle with trichotillomania (TTM), which is worth checking out. It's estimated that two to 10 million Americans could suffer from this psychological disorder in which the person compulsively pulls out their hair, eyelashes or eyebrows.

TTM is a condition that should be taken seriously, as it could be a sign of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and other obsessive-compulsive habits. Additionally, those who have TTM and fail to get treatment can suffer permanent hair loss in the affected areas - which could be in the center of the scalp, as is common with many women, or even the eyelashes or eyebrows. I've treated a number of patients over the years who suffered from traction alopecia as a result of untreated TTM. One of them, who required eyelash transplants as a result, appeared with me on ABC's Good Morning America several years ago. Here's the clip.

So why is Olivia Munn's photograph at the top of this article? She admitted that she suffers from TTM a couple of years ago. Other stars that have been reported to suffer from it at one time or another are Charlize Theron, Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry and Megan Fox, among others.

Could David Beckham Cause Widespread Traction Alopecia Among Men?

 

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I can't say enough about how risky hair extensions are to the long-term health of a person's hair follicles. Over the years, a number of female celebrities have been spotted with what appears to be bald spots or deep hair line recession as a result of damaging hair styles and treatments.

Now, according to the UK's Daily Mail newspaper (read it here), the trend, long limited to women, is crossing over to men. 

UK salons have seen a 200% increase in male hair extension treatments, as more guys seek to imitate the thick, full, lengthy locks of David Beckham, Harry Styles and Oliver Cheshire. But imitating these stars can have dangerous consequences for a guy's hair line: as more men add on extensions, they're increasing their risk for a specific type of hair loss known as "traction alopecia." This condition, which is permanent and can only be treated with hair transplant surgery, is caused by the extra weight and pulling action from the extensions on the hair follicles, which physically damages them.

Both men and women should avoid long-term use of hair extensions or use them intermittently only - and this is especially true for anyone with weak hair. Most stylists will underestimate their potential for damage until it's too late.

Male hair extensions appear to be part of a larger man-'do trend, as bro-braids, man-buns and dude-'tails are also picking up.

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.

Naomi Campbell's Hair Loss Woes

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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.

Jennifer Aniston Goes Back to Extensions

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This past November, Jennifer Aniston cut her signature locks into a short bob and publicly discussed the fragile state of her hair. Aniston was quoted in Elle magazine saying her hair "reacted badly to a Brazilian Blowout treatment," prompting the star to chop her hair. 

But it appears Aniston is already missing her long locks, because she was spotted out recently with long extensions, which may again put her damaged hair at risk. I've talked about the risks associated with extensions countless times on here, and I'll say it again, hair extensions can be 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. 

Hollywood often leads the world when it comes to style, but this is one trend that I'd be happy to see fade away. 

Divorce Stress Causing Khloe Kardashian to Lose Her Hair?

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As if Khloe Kardashian's public divorce drama wasn't already hard enough, new photos suggest the reality star may be seeing signs of hair loss, which some are attributing to divorce stress.

While it may seem strange that divorce can lead to hair loss, studies have found that it can in fact trigger hair loss in women. One study in particular found that, genetics aside, marital status is the next strongest predictor of hair loss in women. Stress alone doesn't cause permanent hair loss, but it commonly contributes to temporary hair loss, called telogen effluvium, in both men and women. The good news is, this type of hair loss can usually be reversed by reducing your stress. 

Khloe's locks may very well be feeling the effects of her divorce, but I have a feeling her frequent use of extensions is also a factor in her hair troubles. As I've mentioned countless times, 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."

Whatever is behind her hair loss, if she wants to speed up the hair recovery process, she may also want to consider a regimen of low level laser therapy and a vitamin supplement like Viviscal to help stimulate healthy hair growth. 

Has Rihanna's Over-Styling Caught Up With Her?

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According to new reports, Rihanna is the latest hair chameleon to have her over-styling habits catch up to her. 

Rihanna, like many other celebrities, are constantly reinventing their look through dramatic hairstyles, and while this may be a sign of self expression for the star, it can have damaging, and potentially long-lasting effects on your hair follicles.

Chronically tight braids, weaves and extensions put excessive tension on the hair follicles under the skin by pulling on the hair fibers. Over the long-term, this type of hair styling can cause traction alopecia a condition that permanently weakens or destroys hair follicles. 

My advice is to avoid hairstyles, wigs, weaves or hair extensions that pull on the follicles or with time; you’ll have nothing left to attach the artificial hair to. Remember, once your follicles are permanently damaged in this way, the only real option is to have a hair transplant 

Christie Brinkley's Anti-Aging Hair Secret

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Forget wrinkles, it could be your hair that betrays your age, or, in Christie Brinkley's case, helps keep you looking young! 

The 59-year old supermodel still looks great, and at a recent launch for her new Hair2Wear collection in New York City, she let her fans in on a little secret - she wears 16-inch clip-in hair extensions almost every day. Brinkley said she uses the hair pieces to add body and highlights to her thinning locks, which instantly reverses the signs of aging hair.

But while Brinkley's hair looks great today, the frequent use of extensions can put your hair at risk of serious damage. 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. 

If your hair is suffering from signs of aging, which can include unruly grays, dryness, lackluster color, thinning, breakage, split ends, and frizz, there are healthier ways to address the issue. For starters, there are a number of hair super-foods that can boost your strands - salmon, which is loaded with omega-3 fatty acid, dark  green vegetables for vitamins A and C, and nuts, which are a terrific source of zinc. In addition to a healthy diet, low level laser ‘combs,’ nutritional supplements like Viviscal and biotin, and prostaglandin analogs can all boost the vitality of your hair.

Beyonce Says Goodbye to Extensions

Long luscious hair, in the form of hair extensions, have been a staple of Beyonce's look for years now, but she debuted a new look this morning on Instagram: a pixie cut! It is hard to say whether her new cut is the result of the scuffle she had with an industrial fan during a recent show, where her hair got caught during her routine, or if she was seeing damage from the extensions. Maybe the busy superstar mom was just ready for a change, whatever the motivation, she looks great! 

Hair extensions have become a dangerously popular trend in, and out, of Hollywood, but unfortunately, many women don't realize that they 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.

I hope that women take Beyonce's new look as an example and consider saying goodbye to their hair extensions! 

Hollywood's Unhealthy Obsession with Hair Extensions

 

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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.

Hair Loss for Jennifer Lawrence?

 

Jennifer Lawrence April 20th (photo by PR Photos)

The Daily Star's Jessica Brown recently reported on a rumor that Hunger Games actress Jennifer Lawrence, 22, might be losing her hair - due to overzealous chemical treatments and extensions. Read it here.

Is this true? It's certainly possible. I routinely warn patients about hair extensions as these can damage the follicles and lead to a type of hair loss called 'traction alopecia.' Chemical treatments can also cause severe damage, leading to significant breakage and hair fallout.

Given her young age, Lawrence's hair probably isn't in that bad of shape - although it's hard to tell without being able to examine her follicles and strands. I would strongly encourage her to avoid hair extensions as much as possible - and to reduce the chemical treatments too. As a Hollywood actress, however, it's probably hard to eliminate the latter altogether. To help her hair, she should start using protective shampoos/conditioners that can help boost the quality of these strands - like Pantene's new AgeDefy line. It would also be wise to get started on Viviscal and low level therapy.

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.

Is Lindsay Lohan Losing Her Hair?

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Is the stress of falling in and out of the spotlight causing Lindsay Lohan to lose her hair? The troubled star was recently photographed with what appears to be a thinning patch of hair.

From the photo, you can see the 26-year old has what appears to be a bald spot, a telling sign that she is likely suffering from a condition called traction alopecia. Lohan, 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. 

In addition to abuse from styling, other lifestyle factors such as poor nutrition and smoking can have a negative impact on your hair. Considering Lohan's young age, and her desire to regain her place in the spotlight, I'd recommend she start taking care of her hair now. The first step would be to quit smoking. Then I'd suggest a nutritional supplement like Viviscal, which can help improve hair quality. She could also benefit from a regimen of low level laser therapy to stimulate healthy hair growth.