Years of chemical and heat treatments seem to have taken their toll on Kim Kardashian’s hair, leaving her locks thin and stringy.
Fans of the reality TV star were no doubt shocked by her appearance in the trailer for this week’s episode of The Kardashians.
The 43-year-old revealed her natural hair during a scene at the gym, revealing short, frizzy locks.
This isn’t the first time the glamorous social media icon has given her fans a glimpse of her real locks.
In August, Kim was photographed stepping off a private jet in Los Angeles (below) without her signature long, thick hair.
Kim Kardashian’s hair is shorter and more brittle than normal, which experts say is due to years of bleaching, hair extensions and hair glue
Instead, it’s tied up in a bun with thin strands falling out the back. And last December, the mother-of-four posted a video on her TikTok channel showing thin, frizzy hair that had clearly been damaged by multiple bleaching sessions.
In December 2022, Kim shocked fans with videos of her natural, thin hair without extensions
Now experts have revealed to DailyMail.com the likely reasons why Kim’s natural hair looks the way it does – based on her extreme hairstyles over the past two years.
Kim Kardashian is a famous hairstyle chameleon, often trying out a number of different looks in the same month, from waist-length platinum blonde extensions to a sleek, long dark ponytail.
But hair damage is inevitable with extreme scalp treatments, no matter how talented the hairdresser, although the most skilled among them are usually better at determining how much the hair can take.
Recent photos of Ms Kardashian getting off a plane show shorter, thinner hair
Bleaching hair to remove all color and repeated use of high temperatures compromises the integrity of the hair and the health of the scalp, increasing the risk of permanent hair loss.
Ms. Kardashian often wears hair extensions that reach her belly button. However, it is not clear whether the extensions are applied via microbeads fused to the hair, taped or sewn on.
However, experts claim that no hair extensions are good for hair.
Anabel Kingsley, hair and scalp specialist and brand president of Philip Kingsley hair products, told DailyMail.com: “I would not strongly recommend hair extensions.”
To pull the hair back so the face is tight, apply pressure to the scalp and loosen the hair in the follicles
“Taking them out isn’t just about getting your hair back to what it once was, but you’re often left with hair that looks worse. Maybe it’s not because you’ve caused permanent hair loss, but simply because you have a fair amount of hair loss.”
Hair extensions put stress on the hair follicles and hair roots. Over time, the hair in the follicle becomes loose and falls out, a condition called traction alopecia.
Signs of traction alopecia include thinning or bald patches on the forehead and temples. However, this can be reversed if treated early by avoiding tight hairstyles that cause tension on the scalp.
Wearing wigs, as Kim did in a Fall 2023 photoshoot for CR Fashion, can also damage the scalp, clog hair follicles and lead to bacteria build-up.
Wigs that are too tight can lead to hair loss and breakage around the head circumference.
Kardashian wore a short wig in a shoot for CR Fashion Book this year
Bleaching your hair is no better.
The actual bleaching process uses strong chemicals to strip the hair of melanin, the natural pigment that determines hair color.
Bleaching also damages the integrity and structure of the hair, making it dry and brittle.
Ms Kingsley said: “Blonding, any form of permanent chemical treatment, whether lightening or bleaching, damage to the hair – the extent depends largely on how big the change is.”
“So if you were a brunette or a dark brunette and you go platinum blonde, it will be more damaging than if you were a natural dirty blonde and you go platinum blonde.”
Ms Kardashian bleached her hair for 14 hours before the Met Gala last year to look like Marilyn Monroe
Ms Kardashian’s platinum bun was a tribute to Marilyn Monroe. But the tight hairstyle and extensive bleaching to achieve this look undoubtedly damaged the integrity of Ms Kardashian’s natural hair.
A naturally dark brunette, Kim Kardashian dyed her hair platinum blonde to look exactly like Marilyn Monroe when she wore her dress to the Met Gala last May.
She said at the time: “I also wanted a physical change so I thought I’d wait and do it for that, so I spend a day coloring my hair – 14 hours straight!” – to make it happen.
The hair thinning medication may be available at the pharmacy
Men looking for a cure for their baldness can help with affordable, over-the-counter supplements like zinc and pumpkin seed oil, which can promote hair growth.
Healthy hair is covered with scales called cuticles, which lay flat like tiles on a roof. However, when the hair cuticle is exposed to bleach, the cuticle lifts, allowing toxins to pass through the pores more easily. Therefore, the hair is prone to tangling and breakage.
Ms Kingsley added: “The outer layer of hair becomes weaker, but the inner part of the hair can also be damaged.”
“If you bleach your hair too much, there will come a point where your hair just can’t take it anymore and will break off.”
Extreme heat causes similar damage to the integrity of the hair, especially with regular use, causing it to burn in the same way as the skin.
Applying heat, such as a straightening or curling iron, to dry hair also sucks out any remaining moisture in the hair, leaving the strands dry and frizzy.
Ms Kingsley said people should still have the freedom to change their hair whenever they want, but stressed the importance of knowing how many chemical or heat procedures the hair can withstand.
She said: “I’m all for coloring your hair – it’s fun.”
“You just have to know what the limits of your hair are. So if your hair is very fine and already brittle and you’re a brunette and want platinum blonde, you probably shouldn’t do it.”
“But maybe go for a sort of honey blonde or highlights – and then do a conditioning treatment once a week.”
Source link
Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
