From bald patches to brittle breaks – stars including Kim Kardashian and Chloe Ferry reveal the painful truth about hair extensions

THIS week Chloe Ferry showed off extremely brittle, damaged hair that appears to be the result of years of using cheap hair extensions.

Around a third of women in the UK use hair extensions to enhance their locks, but experts have warned the dangers can include baldness, hair-shedding and even traction alopecia.

Shocking photos show the likes of fellow Geordie Shore cast members Sophie Kasaei and Vicky Pattison, all experiencing hair-loss and patchy scalps.

Dr Nestor Demosthenous, who runs the Edinburgh Hair Clinic, told Fabulous Online that a large number of women could find themselves affected.

He said: "With a large demand and desire for longer hair and a more impressive main, the market has been flooded with hair extensions of varying quality.

"The fixation methods (bonds, loops, glue etc) plays a significant role in a leading cause of traction alopecia.

"This is is a form of hair loss caused by a constant pulling force on hair, therefore causing disruption and injury ultimately to the root (hair follicle).

"Clinically we see bald patches in the areas most affected.

"In an attempt to hide the resulting bald patch(es) there is a vicious circle of women seeking further hair extension fixations as cover up."

It's not just reality stars who seem to have suffered.

Super model Naomi Campbell has also been vocal about her baldness due to extensions saying: "I do take more care of my hair now, because I lost all of it with extensions," while numerous stars like Britney Spears have also been pictured with damage.

Around £43 million worth of human hair is bought by British women each year, with a large number wearing them everyday.

Even royalty is rumoured to have been behind the trend.

In Netflix’s 2013 documentary “The Royals”, Editor and founder of LibertyLondonGirl.com Sasha Wilkins explained: “I think Kate’s hair has become her badge, it’s the thing she’s most recognisable for – this perfect, glossy incredibly bouncy hair.

“There are rumours that she might have hair extensions but I’ve never found anyone to confirm that.”

Dr Nestor Demosthenous advised how you can help to prevent hairloss occuring.

He said: "In the first instance the extensions should be removed and the scalp given a chance to recover.

"In the most severe cases the hair loss is permanent and the individual may require a hair transplant procedure to restore the lost hair in the area."

Sophie Kasaei experienced traction alopecia from the extensions causing a sustainted tension on the scalp of her hair.

Speaking in the candid MTV clip, Sophie explains: "Because of all the extensions I've been getting, I've suffered from contraction alopecia, which means that I've lost hair on the sides and that it may never come back.

"And that's not because of the extensions I'm getting in, it's because of all the years I've been tormenting my hair.

"So going forward I want to start looking after my hair and I want to make people aware that if you are getting extensions give your hair a break in between  because you don't want to end you with bald patches like this."

Towie's Jess Wright also displayed thinning areas on her head

And she's not the only one to speak out about suffering from similar baldness.

Vicky Pattison recently had her own blood injected into her scalp in an attempt to restore hair growth.

Explaining her reasons for undertaking the treatment, she said: "I've abused hair extensions, it's constantly being styled, it's constantly being pulled in all different directions and subsequently I am experiencing a little bit of... what I've described as probably traction alopecia."