The Truth About Idol Hair Loss, According To K-Pop Hair Stylists

How does dyeing and styling every comeback really affect idols’ hair?

K-Pop fans often joke about idols balding after seeing how often they change their hair, but do idols really suffer from hair loss? Two veteran idol hair stylists revealed all in a new “Comment Defenders” interview with AYO on YouTube.

Areumdara and Kang Jeong Mo are two of the hair styling directors at add’B—one of the most renowned salons in Seoul for hair extensions. Described as “the Samsung of the hair industry,” add’B is the salon of choice for many of the biggest stars in K-Pop, including TWICE, Girls’ Generation, MAMAMOO, IZ*ONE, and members of TXT and SHINee. As such, few know more about idol hair concerns than these two stylists.

add’B’s Areumdara and Kang Jeong Mo | AYO 에이요/YouTube

So, when one AYO commenter remarked that hair loss must be prolific among idols, Areumdara and Kang Jeong Mo were there to explain the reality. The commenter in question noted several factors that could cause hair loss in K-Pop stars, including bleaching and dyeing, high stress levels, and getting hair extensions.

Fans joke that Girls’ Generation’s Hyoyeon, who rarely sports natural hair, has “the strongest scalp in K-Pop.” | SM Entertainment

However, Areumdara says that’s not necessarily the case, particularly when it comes to hair extensions. After all, many K-Pop stars wear extensions constantly for years on end. According to that rationale, Areumdara says, “People who had hair extensions for five or six years, they would go bald?”

| AYO 에이요/YouTube

By that logic, they should be Gollum, but they still have hair.

— Areumdara

Since you don’t see bald idols on stage, it stands to reason that general hair loss isn’t as big of a problem among celebrities as K-Pop fans may think. However, there is one hair concern that can be a big problem for stars according to Kang Jeong Mo: traction alopecia.

| AYO 에이요/YouTube

Traction alopecia is hair loss caused by repeated tension on the hair. This can happen to people who frequently wear their hair in a tight ponytail or bun, and it can be exacerbated if the hair is often dyed or straightened. It can also be caused by tight and heavy hair extensions. However, Kang says this only happens to those who don’t take care of their hair well or get too many hair extensions.

| AYO 에이요/YouTube

Either way, Areumdara clarified that traction alopecia isn’t the kind of hair loss that can cause balding. Instead, it thins the hair out and makes it look patchy. Of course, it’s likely no concern at all for idols who frequently highly reputable salons like add’B, where specialists are trained in installing extensions without damaging the hair.

Source: AYO 에이요