Hair Extensions: A Concerning Cause of Hair Disorders

The document from 2009 highlights the risks associated with hair extensions, including traction alopecia and a novel side-effect, hair matting due to acute telogen effluvium. It reports on four women who developed scalp alopecia characterized by erythematous patches and broken hairs at the sites where hair extensions were attached. Additionally, one patient suffered severe hair matting after using hair extensions in conjunction with low molecular weight heparin, a medication known to induce hair loss. A further examination of 12 women with hair extensions revealed dermoscopic signs of traction alopecia, even though they did not report hair loss. The document warns that traction alopecia can become permanent and advises against long-term use of hair extensions, particularly for individuals with pre-existing scalp conditions. It concludes that complications from hair extensions are likely more common than reported and stresses the importance of increasing awareness about these potential side-effects.