Traction alopecia, or hair thinning is on the rise due to the use of weaves and glue-in hair extensions.
Naomi Campbell has enjoyed a 40-year reign as one of the most recognisable and successful supermodels in the world. When she was 7 years old, she starred in Bob Marley’s ‘Is This Love’ music video and her career rapidly took off. Gracing catwalks all over the world, Naomi has worked with famous designers from Gianni Versace to Dolce & Gabbana, wearing the most glamorous ensembles with a multitude of hairstyles to match. Unfortunately though, such a range of styles has taken its toll on the quality of her hair, and Naomi admits to experiencing significant hair loss as a result of weaves, extensions and braids. She remarks, “I do take care of my hair now, because I lost all of it with extensions. I am more careful, and I do different things.”
How Do Hair Extension Techniques Cause Hair Loss?
Techniques such as braiding, weaving and glue-in extensions, among others are advised against by leading hair loss professionals. When ladies choose to add to their existing hair, using any of these methods, they’re placing a lot of extra stress on the follicle. Over time, the stress can cause a problem called traction alopecia which is caused by pressure being applied to the hair shaft. This can cause unsightly bald patches forming, which Naomi experienced. Luckily, in her case the hair did eventually grow back, but for some people the condition can be irreversible.
The key is to catch traction alopecia early; if someone has used hair lengthening techniques for a prolonged period of time, then that pulling motion on the hair, can ultimately damage the follicle to such an extent that the hair will no longer grow in this area.
Alternatives To Weaves And Extensions
A recent Inquistrstory, found that over 1 million Instagram posts are tagged with the #hairextensions hashtag, soit’s clear that people are incredibly interested in adding more volume or length to their locks. But when it comes at the expense of their natural hair, surely there is a better way?Although the #realhairdontcare campaign is gaining a lot of attention and followers, particularly amongst the black community, naturally there are also many ladies who haven’t given up hope of enjoying a range of glamourous hairstyles that are different from their natural locks.
Natural wigs for women are a fantastic option for those with thinning hair or even complete hair loss. These attractive yet discreet hairpieces place no stress at all on the follicle, as they weigh less than a gram. The wig fits securely to your scalp, as the foundation is firm yet delicate meaning that the wearer is hardly aware of it. In terms of shades and styles, there’s really no limit to finding a cut and colour that suits you. And of course, there’s also no limit to the number of wigs you can include in your collection if you wish to experiment.
Naomi Campbell admits to being a supporter of wearing wigs as an alternative to damaging hair treatments. She explains “Everybody in the world wears wigs. It doesn’t matter any more. I do what I want, or whatever the job calls for.”
