Trichotillomania & hair extensions, please help!

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CrownedEx

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Jan 3, 2017
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Hi!

I am relatively new to Extensions but confident in providing a decent head of Extensions, I have had an enquiry from a lady with trichotillomania, this is basically where you pull out your own hair when nervous etc without realising, she has said she has two bald patches one either side of her head near her ears!

Her doctor has apparently recommended nano to her but surely having Extensions and subconsciously pulling your hair could cause even more damage than the damage already being caused?

Like I said I am totally brand new to this situation so ANY help or advice would be amazing! I just want what's best for her really I would love to do them for her confidence but definitely not if there is going to be more damage made.

I am not too knowledgeable about the condition and guessing some more experienced hair dressers could advise xxxx
 
Hi,
70% of my clients have Trich so I'm pretty familiar with it.
Firstly I think the nano rings are a very bad idea! Especially to cover bald patches, if she is still actively pulling she very well may pull at the bonds, she needs either a cover patch made to cover the spots she's pulling or an integration system to stop her accessing the hair all together.

Not all people that pull can't control it, some will stop pulling once the hair is no longer accessible, and some will try everything they can to get to the hair, it's a bit like nail biting...

I'm very surprised her Dr recommended nano rings? They are not a good solution for this condition, if she is a severe puller then you need to also ask her to seek out CBT therapy to help, if she is going to try to stop the pulling then the deeper situation needs to be addressed also.
 
Also you need to find out her pulling pattern, if she only pulls in a specific area? Or if she will relocate the pulling to other areas, this will determine what type of system is suitable for her. If you don't offer hair systems I would recommend her to someone who specialises
 
Hey I have trich and wouldn't recommend extensions if she's actively pulling. I used to pull mine out which in turn ripped the sections of hair attached to the extensions out too, essentially doing more damage as I would end up ripping out bigger sections (the sections attached to the extensions say 1cm) rather than pulling small bits of my own hair.

I stopped wearing extensions and had hypnotherapy. I'm now nearly pull free, hair has grown back lovely if still a bit short and I'm ready for extensions again :D
 
Thank you for your advice. Sorry for the delayed reply! I completely agree with you and I am so shocked a doctor has recommended this to her.. I don't feel comfortable fitting the extensions and I have explained their are specific methods for her condition and I can help her find a specialist extensionists who does them etc gave her the info you have suggested here .. and unfortunately after a lot of research and advice my final offer of help was ignored so I just hope she doesn't go else where to someone who will just fit them and not care for her in the long run! Thank you for confirming it's the right choice!

Hi,
70% of my clients have Trich so I'm pretty familiar with it.
Firstly I think the nano rings are a very bad idea! Especially to cover bald patches, if she is still actively pulling she very well may pull at the bonds, she needs either a cover patch made to cover the spots she's pulling or an integration system to stop her accessing the hair all together.

Not all people that pull can't control it, some will stop pulling once the hair is no longer accessible, and some will try everything they can to get to the hair, it's a bit like nail biting...

I'm very surprised her Dr recommended nano rings? They are not a good solution for this condition, if she is a severe puller then you need to also ask her to seek out CBT therapy to help, if she is going to try to stop the pulling then the deeper situation needs to be addressed also.
 
Hi!

Thank you for your response. It's good to hear it direct from someone with the condition and amazing to hear your doing well! Nothing better than this!!

What you have explained is EXACTLY what my first thought would be, surely you end up pulling more hair than you originally would of without the extension due to the hair they're attached too. I am glad I went with my gut and explained different methods for this specific condition but she hasn't replied and I'm just hoping she doesn't go else where to someone who will just take her money and not research the problem it's self! At least she knows I'm there to help find the best specialist extensionist otherwise!

Hope you manage to stay pull free!! Xxx
Hey I have trich and wouldn't recommend extensions if she's actively pulling. I used to pull mine out which in turn ripped the sections of hair attached to the extensions out too, essentially doing more damage as I would end up ripping out bigger sections (the sections attached to the extensions say 1cm) rather than pulling small bits of my own hair.

I stopped wearing extensions and had hypnotherapy. I'm now nearly pull free, hair has grown back lovely if still a bit short and I'm ready for extensions again :D
 
Also you need to find out her pulling pattern, if she only pulls in a specific area? Or if she will relocate the pulling to other areas, this will determine what type of system is suitable for her. If you don't offer hair systems I would recommend her to someone who specialises
Hi. Im wondering if you can point to me in the direction of doing a course in the hair intergration system hair replacement course. Thanks x
 
Hi. Im wondering if you can point to me in the direction of doing a course in the hair intergration system hair replacement course. Thanks x

There are many around but they are all 3 day courses which simply is not enough time to properly learn so I can't recommend them, it took me months of training before I could be let on a client.

I can however recommend the banbury postiche volumizer lite course, you get a free volumizer with the course and it's a lot kinda to the hair than a standard integration
 

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