Do hair extensions damage your real hair?

One of the great advantages of getting hair extensions done is that you can switch up your hair styles conveniently to your liking, while giving your own natural hair a break from harsh weather and chemicals. This not only allows your own natural hair to have time to grow, but it also helps your hair to become more healthy since there will be limited manipulation done to your natural hair on a daily basis.  However, though hair extensions can be a great protective style, if proper care is not given to your own natural hair the results could have both temporary and permanent damaging effects.

Damage done to your real hair could result from factors such as the method of application of your hair extension, the removal process, and ultimately how long you decide to leave your hair extensions in as well as the care given over the period of time. Firstly, it is always important to seek the help of a professional hairstylist, whether you are getting a sew-in/weave, getting a wig made and installed, or having a natural hair leave-out. This not only helps with making your hair extension look as good as possible, but it also helps you avoid common problems such as having your hair braided too tightly.  This typically causes damage that isn't often noticed right away; instead, over time the damage will eventually become more noticeable.  As a result of this, your hair and edges will suffer from excessive breakage and could possibly lead to alopecia. To avoid this from happening, it is always advised to protect your hair follicles by ensuring that your braids are not done too tightly and by having your weave done by a professional.

Since certain methods of applying hair extensions can cause more damage than others, it is always important to also consider the process of removing your hair extensions. Thus, it is always best to avoid methods that require you to directly apply "bonding glue" onto your scalp. Since the process of removal for this method often leads to excessive hair loss;  instead, methods such as sew-ins/weave or wearing wigs are often recommended. The removal process of these methods will ultimately lead to less damage,  since your own hair will be braided down before the application of your hair extensions. Damage might also come from having your hair extension in for too long. Hair extensions can serve as a great protective style; however, keeping hair extensions in for more than 2-3 months at a time can lead to a multitude of problems for your real hair, since this will lead to constant breakage  and will eventually leave your hair extremely dry and brittle.

Here at Brooklyn Hair, we encourage our customers to consider taking care of their real hair by practicing proper hair application and removal methods, as well as limiting the length of time they keep their hair extension in to about roughly 4-6 weeks, so that this will help their hair flourish healthy and be ready for the next style.  

Hence, it is always best to have your hair done by a professional hairstylist, this not only helps with making your hair extension as best as possible but it also helps you avoid common problems that typically result from improper hair application methods. It's important to deep condition natural hair before attaching a weave and to look after your natural hair braiding your cornrows too tight can also damage your natural hair. this typically causes damage that isn't often noticed right away. however, over time the damage will eventually become more noticeable since your hair will suffer from excessive breakage and will ultimately lead to traction alopecia. to avoid this from happening always protect your edges as well as your hair follicles by ensuring that your braids are not done too tightly.
Another factor of having hair extensions that might result in hair damage is having in your hair extensions in for too long. hair extensions can serve as a great protective style; however, keeping hair extensions in for more than 2-3 months at a time can lead to a multitude of problems for your real hair such as leaving your natural hair being prone to becoming extremely dry and brittle. You can avoid this by limiting the length of wearing your hairstyle to about roughly 4-6 weeks. This will provide an amp amount of time for you to allow your scalp to get a good clean so that it can continue to flourish healthy.