The Dreaded Bald Spots From Hair Extensions
Corinne Asch- Jan 23, 2017
- 4 min read
Oh, those unfortunate bald spots. We've all heard of them. It's what extension nightmares are made of. Getting even the smallest bald spot will send the strongest woman into a panic. The truth is it can happen to anyone. There is no way to tell how strong your hair is and what it can do without testing the limits. The trick is to keep a vigilant eye on the newcomers until you really know their hair. For my first timers, if they have thin hair, I will have them come by after 2 weeks so that if there is anything happening, I can catch it before it is noticeable. After the 2 weeks I will have her come back 3 weeks later so that I can check one more time. By then, we know what is happening and know whether our client has the right method for her hair or if we need to let that one go and try a different technique. With experience you will know which hair can do what, but the thin fragile hair will always be unpredictable. Some fine hair is stronger than it looks and some are so so weak that there is nothing to be done but to just say no to extensions for this client.
What causes bald spots?
Tension. Too much tension for too long.
TOO MUCH TENSION FOR TOO LONG
To-the-head braids are where I've seen the most bald spots happen, especially when done too close to the hairline. The hairline is where are hair is most fragile. It cannot be made to support a lot of weight.
All kinds of individuals can also cause bald spots. One way individuals can cause balding is if not enough hair is picked up in conjunction to the amount of hair about to be applied. You need to take into account the length of the hair as well. The longer the hair the more it weighs.
If your sections are not clean and round, i.e. pulling hair in from too far away, that can also cause some minor balding.
Tape-in extensions are not exempt. Not picking up enough hair between the sandwiches can cause a bald spot, but put too much and your sandwich won't seal properly and will not last long. Like with the individuals, if you pick hair up from too far from the base you can cause unnecessary tension and, boom, bald spot.
Bald spots are not always the hairdressers fault. There is plenty the client can do to cause them.
Pulling too hard on the hair when detangling is a number one way I see clients cause damage. Be patient, be gentle. Hold the top of the hair when detangling hair extensions. I know this will not be popular but, my favorite time to detangle my hair is in the shower after washing and while the conditioner is in my hair. I work my tangles out gently using a detangling brush and working my way from the bottom up. It's where I get the least amount of resistance and the least amount of hair loss. When I've detangled my hair before washing I have felt and heard the damage I was doing to my hair. The brush full of hair didn't help appease my fears either.
The good news is that bald spots almost always grow back.
Almost??
Whenever I have seen balding that didn't grow back it was always been around the hairline. If you wear braided hair, make sure the braids are not done too tightly. And if you notice any thinning at all around the hairline, the best thing to do is to take out the extensions immediately. Either go without or try a different method.
I recommend you massage a mixture of castor oil, rosemary essential oil, and mint essential oil to the area and leave overnight before shampooing the next morning. This practice is excellent for growing back hair.
Castor oil carries ricinoleic acid and omega- 6 essential fatty acids, which accelerate blood circulation to the scalp, hence increasing hairgrowth. It works on nourishing the scalp and strengthening the roots with the help of essential nutrients.
Rosemary essential oil prevents hair loss, increases circulation and increases hair growth. You can read more about it's benefits at what does rosemary essential oil do for the hair https://draxe.com/rosemary-oil-uses-benefits/.
As for bald spots inside the hair? Have no fear, they always grow back!
Next read: Which hair extension type is right for you?
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