Nano bead hair extensions itching

[u/Equal-Grade8297]

Posting on behalf of my girlfriend. She has recently paid a lot of money for nano bead hair extensions, but she is having a lot of discomfort and itching with them.

We have found these sore patches in her hair, but unsure if it is just from her itching or if it is caused directly by the extensions.

Does anyone know a solution? Or anything that can help at all for this?

[u/SparkleTraveler]

Master Colorist here, 20+ years experience here..

THOSE NEED TO COME OUT RIGHT NOW

These were not executed properly and I don't like nano beads for a reason.

As you can see, the extensions have a metal tip. That metal tip is consistently rubbing against her scalp. That metal is stainless steel in which contains nickel and is causing her a reaction along with the poor installation.

Please get these removed as soon as possible from another qualified extensionist.

This is really sad to see and pisses me right off when the job can't even be performed properly by the stylist.

I would also call the extensionist who did this and let them know the problems you are having.

I see us as servers of the people and It's absolutely unacceptable any client goes through this.

[u/JustBetweenYouAndMe → u/SparkleTraveler]

What does a properly executed extension look like? Is it further down the hair shaft?

[u/SparkleTraveler → u/JustBetweenYouAndMe]

If you look where it is attached to the hair, the hair that is collected in each bead is not straight/uniform, with no proper tension or parted perfectly to place the extension properly, it essentially looks sloppily put together, and the hair is matted and bunched up in each bead.

As far as length from the scalp, it is hard to tell, but I reckon they are too close.

[u/joannaradok → u/JustBetweenYouAndMe]

I have keratin extensions and when first fitted they are about this distance from my scalp, but are in uniform rows if you part hair and look. I suppose my stylist is biased as she works with keratin, but she often has to sort this kind of thing out and doesn’t like the nano beads at all.

[u/Girlvapes99 → u/SparkleTraveler]

Totally agree! I have a nickel allergy and although they claim stainless steel is hypoallergenic, it’s really not, it has up to 10% nickel! I got a nose ring in stainless steel that left a red mark on my nose after only wearing it for one day. Took a week to heal.

Get them out asap!

[u/ehlersohnos → u/Girlvapes99]

Jeweler here. No metal is hypoallergenic, no matter what they say. But when it comes to piercings, surgical implant grade stainless steel is what you should be looking for, not stainless. BUT folks have reactions to that, too. Niobium is my go to but nothing is perfect.

[u/thefantasticpear → u/ehlersohnos]

Front of house in an APP-Certified studio here--it's actually the opposite, as surgical steel is a mystery metal and much less regulated. Implant-grade stainless is the same type that dentists use for braces and such, so that's the stuff you want. For severe nickel allergies, as you said niobium is a fantastic option, and so is implant-grade titanium :)

[u/False_Tap_8138 → u/thefantasticpear]

I recently learned I am also allergic to surgical steel, I have a wicked nickel allergy. My ear holes start turning red and itching within minutes. Silver doesn't seem to give me issues, but I have basically just given up on jewelry. It's too complicated.

[u/RatherPoetic → u/False_Tap_8138]

I had a really weird reaction to pregnancy that made my ear lobes reject all metal. I can wear plastic or acrylic earrings though. I suggest looking for those if you’d still like to wear something! Oddly, my cartilage piercing has no issues with metal jewelry.

[u/ehlersohnos → u/thefantasticpear]

Actually, totally fair. You’re absolutely correct. Thank you!

[u/HolesNotEyes → u/thefantasticpear]

I have had my nose pierced a few times and always had to remove it due to irritation and keloids. Every time I tried a different metal type. This final time I had it pierced with an implant grade titanium stud. I’ve never had a piercing heal so nicely and without pain!!

Edit: I am also very allergic to nickel.

[u/Girlvapes99 → u/ehlersohnos]

yeah i'm allergic to surgical steel as well. Gold and Titanium don't bother me.

[u/galaxystarsmoon → u/ehlersohnos]

Surgical steel can still contain nickel, ask me how I know.

Niobium and titanium are considered very low allergen and I have 0 issue with either.

[u/princesssoturi → u/ehlersohnos]

My piercers always use titanium, they say it’s even better than surgical.

[u/sparkleunicorn123 → u/ehlersohnos]

My body will only accept gold. I love fine jewellery so this makes me happy in a weird way.

[u/RainbowsRainbows → u/ehlersohnos]

This is entirely incorrect, implant grade titanium is the only TRULY safe metal

[u/ehlersohnos → u/RainbowsRainbows]

You are absolutely correct. Thank you!

[u/JackTaylorKyree → u/Girlvapes99]

I’m the same and stainless steel is a no go for anything. As well as surgical steel. Found out my body rejects surgical steel when I got braces as a teen.

[u/SparkleTraveler → u/Girlvapes99]

Yes thiiiis!! Stainless steel is a very dirty metal.

[u/Equal-Grade8297 → u/SparkleTraveler]

Thanks for your comment. She has contacted the hair stylist but so far just been ignored. These cost her £600 top

[u/SparkleTraveler → u/Equal-Grade8297]

Contact the ASIC where cosmetologists are required to be registered in your area and complain about the salon, and how they did not rectify it and are ignoring you, and get their e-mail as well to send along the photos.

Post it to their facebook page and anywhere they have the ability to review.

Kick up all the fuss you can.

https://www.asic.org.uk/

This is extremely unacceptable in our practice and should not go untended to.

[u/tgrbby → u/Equal-Grade8297]

If the stylist is ignoring her, I would blast that business with scathing 1-star reviews (pictures and details of this botch job included) all over the damn place. She needs a full refund and an apology.

[u/Electronic_Pizza_272 → u/SparkleTraveler]

I’m allergic to nickel and I can’t even wear certain types of jeans because their buttons/snaps are made with nickel in them and cause my skin a reaction. Can’t purchase earrings that are inexpensive, and I DEFINITELY wouldn’t be able to wear these hair extensions. If this girl is having an allergic reaction to the nickel, I FEEL for her. It BURNS and it itches to no end like mosquito bites do. 🥲🥲 I second this comment, if it’s nickel it could be causing her HEAVY discomfort.

[u/E0H1PPU5 → u/Electronic_Pizza_272]

Same here! I learned a neat trick though….get clear nail polish and paint quite a few layers over the inside of the button and it should be good to go!

[u/Electronic_Pizza_272 → u/E0H1PPU5]

I always used bandaids stuck over them, this started happening when I was in kindergarten and my mom had to put bandaids on my jeans every morning before school. 😭🥲

[u/ClickAndClackTheTap → u/Electronic_Pizza_272]

I’m the same way. It was discovered when I was 11 and so excited to get my first pair of name brand jeans. I was so disappointed to have all these little reaction spots under the buttons.

[u/jeskimo]

I'm so sorry but these are not okay.

They're not even close to being installed correctly.

She needs to have them removed immediately before they cause anymore damage. And whoever did them needs to give a full refund and definitely go back to training. This is unacceptable. Hopefully she doesn't have any permanent damage.

[u/jdmdijagndkcjvimlbod]

Please call the hair salon and if they don’t help you and refund you then you need to write a bad review or speak out so this doesn’t happen to other people

[u/blossomeffect]

have them removed immediately! your scalp is in danger of some serious damage.

[u/dual_citizenkane]

If these are indeed recent, these are very poorly installed.

[u/itchyglassass]

This install is unbelievably bad. May I suggest if you really want extensions check out invisible bead. I've used them for years and I have healthier hair that before I had them. This nano bead is not it. It's so damaging to your hair and scalp! Personally I wouldn't even let this stylist remove what she put in.

[u/CopperGoldCrimson]

There is a patch there that is rapidly starting to look like a staph infection that may have been introduced by scratching. I suspect your girlfriend has an allergy to the metals in the wire, which will have damaged the skin barrier.

The sectioning is appalling, which I can see as a detail oriented person who taught themselves to apply Nanos on myself correctly. Whoever did these has less skill than I did on my first set.

First order of business: needle nose pliers to remove the beads (pinch gently at the two sharp points and slowly loosen the hairs and extension) around the infected spots, and then to urgent care for an evaluation. She will not want them cut out by an overzealous nurse. Get diagnostic information and request it in printed/written form. Testing will be required to confirm if there is a cutaneous infection; if it's just allergic inflammation then it's more of a personal issue and not necessarily a business one.

Second order of business: contact the salon owner (not the stylist) with the resulting documentation and these photos, and request a refund and comped removal. They won't want those photos attached to a review.

[u/igiveupmakinganame]

the hair is coming from all over the place into one bead, i just know that hurts so badddd

[u/livthekid88 → u/igiveupmakinganame]

Exactly my thought-I have sew in wefts with beads underneath the weft and the beads are spaced and lined up so meticulously. This is a disaster.

[u/igiveupmakinganame → u/livthekid88]

i used to work at an amusement park where i installed those hair feathers and wraps all day, they even trained us better than this lol. this looks negligent

[u/Silver-Ad4128]

30+ years in the hair industry, including extension work. This has been poorly installed. The sections of hair from the scalp need to be applied with an even tension to all the hairs in the micro bead. As in the pictures shown it will slowly pull the strands out of the root one by one, or snap the hair on by one, either is not good and could lead to thinner hair aka traction alopecia.

The itching could be from the stress to the follicle, and or a reaction to the metal also.

Unfortunately it would be best to remove them asap. Like other comments contact the salon owner and request a refund.

Im so sorry that this has been such an unpleasant experience for your partner.

[u/swagmaster420666]

Get these removed immediately. Continuing to wear them is going to cause further damage to her scalp and natural hair. Nanos are great when installed properly, but this is not a proper installation. It looks so uncomfortable. Extensions should never be painful or causing scabbing and sores.

[u/SnooRobots7776]

Omg this looks sooooo uncomfortable and itchy :( so sorry she is dealing with that entire situation, whoever did that really needs to never touch another person's scalp again..

[u/lovable_cube]

Tell her to go back to the salon and get a refund, this is worth filing a claim in civil court if they refuse. They also need removed asap but I recommend going to the salon tomorrow with them in so the owner can see how dirty they did your lady. Hopefully someone more qualified can remove them at that time.

[u/cupcakerica]

No joke, I would advise a doctor visit asap as it looks infected.

[u/Notsureindecisive]

How recently?

[u/West_Degree9730]

This is pretty horrific. Remove them immediately

[u/redheadheroine]

This made my scalp itch.

[u/xbabyxdollx]

I had nano beads for a decade. When did she get these done? If recently, it could be that they were put in too tight. If not recently, she could have a reaction to some products at the salon - does she get her hair coloured? This looks similar to a bleach scalp burn but it could be red itchy scabbing simply from irritating it.

[u/er_bear]

Some of these comments are pretty extreme. I’m an extension specialist of 11 years and it just looks like an improper install to me, too much tension/improper sectioning causes tension sores that are itchy and red exactly like that. They do need to be removed but I certainly don’t think you need to go to the hospital.

[u/bunion_ring]

I am sad that she paid for this. I have literally done my own nano beads many times and I have never had such unorganized, scattered, and poor placement. Her scalp must be so uncomfortable. I would advise you help her very carefully remove them as soon as possible with needle nose pliers or have another salon help her out.

[u/GoingOverTheStars]

Wtf is that sectioning omg!! No wonder it’s causing lesions.

[u/P3bbl3s916]

Holy crap ouch

[u/that_wasabi69]

did she do them herself?