Clip-on hair extensions are used mainly by women to create the impression of longer, thicker hair. One survey found that a third of women wear hair extensions, but nearly 90% don’t tell anyone they’re wearing them [1].
It’s no surprise so many women turn to hair extensions — female pattern hair loss, the most common type of alopecia, affects 50% of women by the age of 60 [2]. But are clip-on hair extensions bad for your hair, and could they cause hair loss? This article will explore:
Clip-on hair extensions can add length or volume to hair without a long-term commitment. They can be easily attached and removed without professional assistance, making them very popular.
These extensions are made from synthetic or human hair, and they involve using small sections of bonded hair attached near the roots with small clips. They are temporary and you can choose which days you want to wear them — some women wear them every day, while others save them for special occasions.
They also help you add variety to your look, and you can pick different lengths and colours depending on how you feel. Clip-ons are often more affordable than semi-permanent and permanent hair extensions because they don’t require a professional stylist to apply them.
Clip-on hair extensions use small clips that securely attach to the roots of your hair. You simply section off your natural hair, clip in the extensions close to your roots, and then let the top sections of your hair fall over the wefts (strips of hair bonded together at the top). This can create a very natural look, which makes it hard to tell whether you’re wearing extensions at all.
While hair extensions are most popular with women, some men choose hair extensions to hide thinning and maximise their hair volume.
Research suggests clip-on hair extensions can cause traction alopecia [3], a type of hair loss. Traction alopecia is caused by consistent tugging or pulling on the hair follicles, which can cause inflammation and damage, and eventually lead to areas of permanent baldness. You may notice hair thinning on one side of your head if extensions are tighter on that side.
Other tight hairstyles or accessories such as turbans, braids, and ponytails can cause hair loss from traction alopecia [3]. A man bun can cause hair loss, too, if it’s very tight. Hair extensions can cause damage to hair that breaks easily [4], so it’s important to select the appropriate sections of hair to attach them.
Studies suggest that long-term use of hair wefts can cause a horseshoe pattern of hair loss on the scalp [5]. Your risk of alopecia is increased by the extent of pulling and duration of traction [5], so semi-permanent hair extensions may be more damaging than temporary solutions like clip-ons.
Fortunately, unlike other types of alopecia (like alopecia areata, androgenetic alopecia, and scarring alopecia), traction alopecia can be quite easy to treat. If you catch it early enough, all you need to do is stop using the accessory or hairstyle that caused it. It’s important to stop traction alopecia before it’s too late, because baldness can be permanent if left untreated [6].
Hair extensions can cause hair loss, but different types come with different levels of risk. Here, we’ll explore the different types of hair extensions and which are the safest to use.
Clip-on hair extensions are generally less risky than other semi-permanent types of extensions. This is because they spend less time in your hair, so they are less likely to cause traction alopecia. They also let your scalp rest at night and are easily removable.
These are semi-permanent hair extensions that come with a greater risk of traction alopecia than clip-on extensions. Wefts are taped into your natural hair at the roots. They put constant pressure on your scalp while they’re in place, which can damage hair follicles.
These involve braiding and sewing extensions into your natural hair. These also come with a potential risk of traction alopecia due to the strain they put on hair follicles. You should regularly check for hair loss if you use this type of hair extension.
Micro-link extensions involve attaching wefts using silicone-lined beads. They give a natural look, but there’s a risk of hair loss from the weight of the extensions. These are considered semi-permanent, lasting 2 to 4 months, but they need maintenance by a stylist to avoid hair damage or loss.
These extensions also appear natural. They are bonded close to your scalp with heat-activated adhesives. There’s a high risk of damage from heat chemicals [5] and prolonged pressure on your hair. These are also semi-permanent, lasting around 3 to 6 months.
Weaves involve braiding your natural hair into tight cornrows. Hairs are sewn or weaved onto the braids — this generally lasts 6 to 10 weeks, depending on your maintenance and hair type. Weaves are also a type of extension that is prone to causing traction alopecia [5].
When used safely and in moderation, clip-on hair extensions can create the impression of longer, thicker hair while posing less risk of traction alopecia than other hair extensions for thickness and length. Let’s look at how to use them.
Start by brushing your hair to make sure your hair is free of tangles. This will help the extensions blend in smoothly and look more natural. Section off your hair horizontally above the nape of your neck, and use hair claws to hold the top sections of hair out of the way.
Start with smaller wefts of hair for the lowest sections of your hair, then use larger wefts as you move further up. Open the clips, place the weft as close to the root of your hair as possible, and close the clip to attach it.
If there are multiple clips, start by using the middle clips, then work outwards to make sure the hair is secured evenly. Then release the hair that’s sectioned off and create new horizontal partings slightly higher up. Repeat the process until all the wefts are in place.
Gently comb or brush your hair to blend in the extensions. To make the wefts less visible, style the mixture of extensions and natural hair using a flat iron or curling tongs. (If your extensions are made from synthetic hair, make sure they’re heat-safe before using hot styling tools.)
Keep the heat as low as possible, and use a heat protection spray to avoid heat-damaging your hair. Higher temperatures cause more damage to your hair cuticles [7].
Make sure the wefts are secure and can’t be seen through your hair. If any areas feel uncomfortable or loose, reposition them as needed.
Concerned that your clip-on hair extensions are causing hair loss? Try not to wear them for a few months and see if your hair recovers. You’ll need some patience, as hair doesn’t grow overnight. But after a few weeks you may start to see new growth at the roots.
If you’re losing more hair in the shower than normal, or you’ve spotted areas of thinning or balding, it’s time to book an appointment with a trichologist. These expert hair doctors can identify the reason your hair is falling out with diagnostic trichology tests, such as a hair pull test, or blood tests for hair loss.
Once you have a diagnosis, they can recommend a range of suitable treatments to improve your hair growth. These may include PRP hair treatment, low-level laser therapy or even a natural-looking hair transplant.
Want to learn how you can boost your hair growth? Find your nearest clinic location and book a consultation to get started.
Clip-on hair extensions generally last 3 to 6 months. If you care for them well and don’t wear them very often, they may even last over a year. It’s a good idea to wash them after several uses to prevent product buildup and make them last longer.
Clip-on extensions can damage your hair if you wear them too often or for too long. They’re seen as one of the safest types of hair extensions, but they’re not designed to be worn all day, every day. Wearing clip-on extensions occasionally, for a few hours at a time, is unlikely to cause hair loss unless they’re particularly heavy.
The less time you wear clip-on extensions, the less likely they are to cause hair damage or loss. You should definitely avoid sleeping in them to allow your scalp to rest at night. Ideally, you should only wear them for a few hours — but if you need to wear them all day, try to let your scalp recover for the next few days.
Clip-in hair extensions are affordable and can instantly enhance hair volume and length. They’re less likely to cause hair loss than other types of extensions. However, they require styling and maintenance, and still come with a risk of traction alopecia if worn for too long.
Sew-in hair extensions often look the most natural because they are applied directly to your scalp. However, they’re often the most expensive type of hair extension, and they have a higher risk of traction alopecia than clip-on wefts [5].
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