Odd question, no judgement please...looking for advice from riders that wear hair extensions

[Chachie]

Please, I beg of you, no harshness bullying or snarky comments.

I am dealing with some issues and am losing my hair. I dont want to go into details so please, dont ask. Please dont. Just dont. And please don’t suggest not doing extensions or just rock short hair. No. My mind is made up. I’ve done my research, I know what I am getting into.

The only thing I want to know is if there are any riders that wear helmets AND have extensions in. I would like to hear from you about styles, and additional upkeep, etc.

TIA

[rockonxox]

I used to have extensions. My hair dresser wanted me to be their guinea pig and I thought it would be fun. I had Fusion extensions. Honestly, I loved them for quite a while. You need a special brush so as not to get them all tangled, once they start growing out you will need to be mindful to untwist any that twist together (I didn’t find this too time consuming), and sleep in a scrunchie so they don’t tangle. I didn’t notice any issues with my helmet and how it fit, although if your helmet is already erring on the side of tight they could be noticeable. Honestly was never an issue for me. I usually wore mine down straight, curly, or in a ponytail. I had to be mindful if doing an up do to double check everything was covered - but for the basic hair down, ponytails, and braids it wasn’t difficult to do. Just make sure to take care of them every single day. Minimal daily maintenance is a lot easier than a mess full of tangled extensions.

As for my hair type as sometimes that can make a difference in suggestions - I have a ton of super fine hair so “thick”, but not coarse thick. Just lots of it. It is not voluminous and loves to lay flat so extensions helped with that. I had my hair highlighted at the time so the extensions were matched to my highlights and when I went back in for appointments they got highlighted along with the other hair. I went from just above shoulder length to mid back (under the bra strap, but not quite waist) length.

If you have any other questions you can feel free to PM me.

[aqhadreamer]

I have alopecia so I get it. For me I have random bald spots and very thin hair, so thin that extensions would be extremely noticeable. I have a clip in hair piece that I wear out in ‘public’ (work, shopping ect). Unless I tell people no one knows I’m wearing it. I take excellent care of them and usually have them for about 3-4 years, but they are very expensive.

Personally I do not wear it to the barn. Its very easy to take on and off and I just don’t want it absorbing the barn or sweaty helmet smells. I normally wear a ball hat or my helmet.

[js]

Maybe a wig would be more helpful??? Though under a helmet that might not be a good idea.

Depending on the cause of the hair loss hair extensions might put a lot of tension/weight on existing hair and cause further hair loss, something to consider.

[Meshach]

I have thinning hair and for a good number of years wore hair extensions (until I felt it was damaging my hair and also my hair got too thin to support it sigh). First bonded then the tape in. I didn’t have any problems with my helmet, wore it in a low ponytail. I was not showing at the time so didn’t have to deal with a hair net.

I had it just below shoulder length. Special brush, scrunchie at night, gentle shampoo and proper conditioner, don’t get conditioner near the bonds or tape.

And anyone who would make a harsh or bullying comment about such a sensitive topic would be a real asshole imo!

[Marshfield]

I’m so sorry you’re facing this. FWIW, I’m horseless now, but for the final ten years of my riding life, I always wore a Charles Owen as I could do a French twist and have it fit securely. I would suggest going someplace where you can try on a bunch of different helmet with your “new” hair. Maybe a bandanna to help protect it from friction

[Pennywell_Bay]

@Marshfield

I’m so sorry you’re facing this. FWIW, I’m horseless now, but for the final ten years of my riding life, I always wore a Charles Owen as I could do a French twist and have it fit securely. I would suggest going someplace where you can try on a bunch of different helmet with your “new” hair. Maybe a bandanna to help protect it from friction

I have a friend who has extensions due to a medical condition (not long ones). She found the Trauma Void helmet with the liner seemed to work best. (she borrowed one and fell in love- not necessarily the fit any better than her CO but the liner). So a smooth, think bandanna may be an idea.

[Chachie]

Thank you all

[Meredith_Clark]

I had extensions in for a while. They were the Hot Headz tape extensions done in a salon. I have really thin hair up top and a sweaty head so what I would do is just wash the top everyday and not the extensions (well some of the extensions but not all the way down).

I have a shower head that detaches so I’d flip my head over the bath tub and shampoo and rinse the top. I don’t wear my hair up in my helmet ever so I’d just do a braid if I was afraid they’d get knotty. (the extensions and my natural hair are wavy).

They didn’t effect my helmet fit or anything and I enjoyed them!

Good luck and look fabulous

[_Bounce]

@Meredith Clark

I had extensions in for a while. They were the Hot Headz tape extensions done in a salon. I have really thin hair up top and a sweaty head so what I would do is just wash the top everyday and not the extensions (well some of the extensions but not all the way down).

I have a shower head that detaches so I’d flip my head over the bath tub and shampoo and rinse the top. I don’t wear my hair up in my helmet ever so I’d just do a braid if I was afraid they’d get knotty. (the extensions and my natural hair are wavy).

They didn’t effect my helmet fit or anything and I enjoyed them!

Good luck and look fabulous

Same situation for me! I also rode with a bandanna to help with the sweaty part and didn’t have any problems!

[Puffergrrl]

I had a full head of synthetic dreadlocks braided in at the scalp for a couple years in college. Sorry, I did try to find a digital picture, since it was quite a bit to get under a helmet…it was the good old days of non-regulation helmets with no chinstraps and there was no such thing as wearing your hair down in the United States (and barely in Europe).
:eek: Yet somehow we survived.

I’d definitely put your extensions in at the volume you plan to commit to for long haul and then buy a helmet that fits appropriately for how you wear your hair most often. If you wear it up when you show, that’s probably the biggest, so put it up and try on hats. If you’re going to rock a braid from now on, then go with that. I’ll insert a plug here for a helmet brand with a removable, washable liner if you get a sweaty head.

Then get yourself some helmet deodorizer (I actually love Welleda spray-on personal deodorant - smells amazing). Spray out your helmet each time you take it off if it’s a bit sweaty and let it air dry while you clean the horse and tack. Then that sucker stays fresher between washes.

Hair care…dry shampoo will forever be your friend. Keep at least a travel size in your tack trunk. It maybe? sounds a little gross, but you shouldn’t wash your hair every day. Especially if you’re using a shampoo with sulfates (get a shampoo without sulfates) and/or if you bleach your hair. Obviously, if it’s funk-nasty after a summer ride, wash it, but don’t overkill. You’ll wreck your hair and your extensions.

Enjoy the new locks! Go out and crush it in the ring and in life!

[ecpolo]

My only word of warning with extensions is that they can be insanely itchy. If you’re getting the little individual pieces done it shouldn’t be a problem with helmet size. The larger strips might press into your head like a hair net knot if they’re in a certain spot. Before you get them put in, put your helmet on and map out where it presses against your head most and ask the stylist to avoid those areas as much as possible.