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Diseases & conditions
Featured
Molluscum contagiosum: How to safely treat it Both the CDC and the FDA warn against treating this common childhood condition on your own with non-prescription treatments. See what they recommend.
Biosimilars: 14 FAQs Find answers to questions patients ask about this newer treatment option, including, “What’s involved in switching from a biologic to a biosimilar?”
Everyday care
Featured
Practice Safe Sun Everyone's at risk for skin cancer. These dermatologists' tips tell you how to protect your skin.
Relieve uncontrollably itchy skin Find out what may be causing the itch and what can bring relief.
Darker Skin Tones
Featured
Fade dark spots Find out why dark spots appear and what can fade them.
Untreatable razor bumps or acne? If you have what feels like razor bumps or acne on the back of your neck or scalp, you may have acne keloidalis nuchae. Find out what can help.
Cosmetic treatments
Featured
Laser hair removal You can expect permanent results in all but one area. Do you know which one?
Scar treatment If you want to diminish a noticeable scar, know these 10 things before having laser treatment.
Botox It can smooth out deep wrinkles and lines, but the results aren’t permanent. Here’s how long botox tends to last.
Public health programs
Featured
Free materials to help raise skin cancer awareness Use these professionally produced online infographics, posters, and videos to help others find and prevent skin cancer.
Dermatologist-approved lesson plans, activities you can use Free to everyone, these materials teach young people about common skin conditions, which can prevent misunderstanding and bullying.
Find a dermatologist
Featured
Find a Dermatologist You can search by location, condition, and procedure to find the dermatologist that’s right for you.
What is a dermatologist? A dermatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating the skin, hair, and nails. Dermatologists care for people of all ages.
How to prevent hair damage from a weave or extensions
While a weave or extensions can be a great way to switch up your hairstyle, they can damage your natural hair and even cause hair loss if proper precautions and care are not taken.
To prevent hair damage from a weave or extensions, follow these tips from board-certified dermatologists.
For many women, wearing a weave or extensions is a great way to switch up their hairstyle, adding length, volume, and even color. However, while these hairstyles offer a range of possibilities, wearing them can damage your natural hair and even cause hair loss if proper precautions and care are not taken.
Because a weave or extensions often require women to wear their natural hair tightly pulled, this can be tough on hair. The constant pulling can cause strands of hair to break or fall out, and it could damage your hair follicles. Once the hair follicles are damaged, your hair cannot grow back, leading to permanent hair loss.
Fortunately, women can help avoid these issues by taking a few precautions before, during and after wearing these styles.
To prevent hair damage from a weave or extensions, dermatologists recommend the following tips:
Get your natural hair in good shape. It’s important to take care of your natural hair before getting a weave or extensions. Make sure your hair is clean and free of buildup from products like hairspray. Use conditioner to keep your hair moisturized and strong. Continue to follow this hair care routine during and in between wearing a weave or extensions to keep your hair healthy.
See a professional stylist. You should get your weave or extensions done by a professional. Pay attention when they are working; if you feel pain or have a headache, the hairstyle is too tight. Tight hairstyles can cause traction alopecia, which is a form of hair loss caused by repeated pulling on the hair, and it can be permanent. If the hairstyle hurts or feels too tight, ask your stylist to loosen the affected area.
Keep your hairstyle clean. Wash your hair as often as needed for your hair type. If you are wearing clip-in extensions, remove them before washing your natural hair. Use a gentle, moisturizing shampoo and conditioner to keep your scalp clean and hydrated.
Protect your edges. Your edges — the wispy baby hairs that grow around your hairline — are very fragile. Take care of this delicate hair by only using water-based styling gels and moisturizing it with conditioner. Avoid using heated styling tools as much as possible.
Switch up your hairstyle. To maintain healthy hair, it’s important to give your hair a break from a weave or extensions. Wear these styles for two or three months at most, then give your hair a break by switching to a hairstyle without them.
Remember, how you style your hair and the products you use can go a long way in maintaining healthy hair. If you have questions about caring for your hair or are concerned about hair loss, see a board-certified dermatologist, as the sooner an issue is addressed, the better your results.
Related AAD resources
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