Hair Extensions: Reasons You Should Have Them Removed

Hair extensions, once seen only on high fashion runways and amongst the Hollywood elite, are now a popular style accessory among everyday women and men as well. Hair extensions can be applied to natural hair to add length, or to add volume to short, thin, or damaged hair. There’s no denying that these hair extensions can give you a glamorous, full head of gorgeous hair that could rival celebrity locks, so long as their quality is good... but at what cost?

Though good hair extensions are sure to give you the beautiful hair you desire, they can do a world of damage to your own natural hair. After the excitement of having luscious locks wears off, many women find that their own hair has suffered from the use of extensions.

Initially, due to the popularity of hair extensions, most women did not think twice about the possible dangers of using them, and it's not uncommon to find people who have tried hair extensions at one point or another. It is not until the damage does occur, some of which is irreversible, that women realize hair extensions may do more harm than good. Ultimately, after experiencing or learning about the dangers of hair extensions, many women make the decision to have them removed.

Types of Hair Extensions

There are different types of hair extension systems. There are several types of application techniques, as well as different types of hair. Hair can be synthetic or natural, lightweight or heavy, thin or thick, open or solid. In general, the heavier the hair and the thicker it is, the more damage it can cause to the scalp and your natural hair, due to the weight and constant pressure it causes. Hair extensions that are lighter and have a more transparent application process tend to be the safest, but even these pose a risk to the natural hair and scalp.

Bonding

Of the various ways in which hair extensions can be attached, the bonding technique is the most common. With bonding, a heavy glue is used to bond the extensions to the real hair shaft near the root. The glue that is applied on the hair extension starts out hard and softens when it is heated up. While the glue is soft, it fuses the extension to the hair and as it dries, the glue becomes hard again. This is what bonds the extension onto the hair shaft.

Bonding sometimes goes by other names such as fusion or sealer. Most of the glue used in bonds contains harsh chemicals that damage the natural hair underneath the extensions. Additionally, the hair extension removal process requires the use of acetone, which creates further damage to the hair. Both the chemicals in the glue and the acetone can also cause damage to the scalp such as irritation, rashes or burns.

Bonding is the most popular application technique because, when applied properly, it is very effective. Unfortunately, this method is also one of the most dangerous. Almost all bonded extensions will result in breakage and damage to natural hair. In many cases, having hair extensions applied with this technique can even cause the hair to permanently fall out in patches, due to constant pressure being applied to the hair follicle.

Other Hair Extension Techniques

Sewn-in hair extensions are also popular. This technique involves sewing the extensions onto the natural hair shaft. The same damage that occurs with bonding can occur with this technique. Also somewhat common are micro-links, which are metal attachments that are crushed and linked onto the natural hair shaft. This technique often results in broken and pinched hair that can lead to hair loss.