My hair got ripped out

[Capricornhem]

Hi everyone,

My hair journey is already stressful as it is, however, yesterday I was working and didn't realise my hair got caught onto something. The front part of my hair got ripped out by accident and now I'm left with a bald patch.

I had to style it today for work in a bun and my my scalp was so sore today. I'm really upset about this and have no idea on what to do? How can I get it to grow back?
I can't believe this has happened to me, I was left shocked and almost cried. My coworkers thought it wasn't a big deal but I'm honestly just so angry about this all.

[lapushka]

I cringed reading the thread title, and kind of was hesitant to read...

OMG. Where did you get it caught, exactly? And how did it get ripped out? Heavy machinery? Or did you just get caught behind something.

It will take a few weeks for hair to show back up (since it was ripped out), but it will grow back, I'm sure of it; if the follicles aren't damaged. It will depend on the force with which it got ripped out.

I'd go see a doctor. S/he might give you a lotion or ointment to soothe the area and that might help the regrowth as well.

What did your manager say?

How long is your hair and do you wear it loose a lot for work (I wouldn't do that anymore if I were you).

[TatsuOni]

Welcome! What a terrible thing to happen! Wishing for a speedy regrowth! :flower:

[spitfire511]

:disbelief You poor thing! That's painful and shocking and everything all at once!

Agreed with lapushka - if it's bad enough - go see the dr or at least possibly put some wound ointment on to promote healing (like if your scalp was really damaged). I , too, think it will likely grow back - and may be frustrating (I am regrowing a bunch from hormone loss last year and have 'bangs' that are like 6" long now) but it should come back!

Go treat yourself to something -sounds like you could do with it - and good job thinking ahead to bun it today - might be wise to do so moving forward!!

HUGS

[Lady Stardust]

It must be so painful, I hope it feels better really soon. The hair will grow back quickly I’m sure.

It won’t be as noticeable to other people as it will be to you, so try to be kind to yourself.

If you have an accident book at work you should write down what happened and speak to anyone necessary to make sure it doesn’t happen again, to you or to someone else. I think it’s best to keep your hair contained as much as possible at work, no matter what you do for a living, because you might end up having to do something unexpected.

[calmyogi]

OMGosh!!! Like Lapushka I cringed at reading the title. It will grow back! Unless you actually damaged your scalp in some way it will, so don’t worry about that :). In the mean time styling it to not be so noticeable will probably be what you have to do for awhile. I’m so sorry :(

[*Wednesday*]

Ouch!!! Hopefully your follicles aren't damaged. If it's long enough to get caught in something, moving forward maybe consider wearing it up.

[lapushka]

Is it a big bald patch, OP? How big is it? Coin size or bigger?

[spidermom]

Don't wear it loose at work again! Only time will tell how fast it grows back.

[bparnell75]

Sorry, that sounds painful. I wear a product I get from Sally's to cover my bald spots it is called Toppix. You can also order Cabooki on line. I agree with the others buns for work.

[blesseddamozel]

Oh my gosh I'm so sorry that happened to you :wail:You can put some castor oil on that portion of your scalp as an oil treatment (when it's healed, if having the hair get ripped out left any open wounds let those heal up first.) It's going to be good for your hair no matter what and there's some anecdotal evidence that it helps with growth.

[Milkchocolate]

My gosh I’m so sorry for that experience you had :( I hope you recover very soon! Bodies work wonders though! each time I thought that my body wouldn’t heal itself.. it did. Our bodies will always repair themselves and regrow ❤️ I hope you stay positive and keep hope!

[Doreen]

That sounds awful! I hope it didn't cause any lasting damage and that you're not in too much pain. There isn't much you can do to make it grow back faster unfortunately, but you could maybe get bangs to help it blend it a bit better if that's something you're concerned about?

[Ylva]

What a terrible incident. I would recommend scalp massages with JBCO and a few drops of peppermint EO, if you don't have any sensitivity for such. :)

[lapushka]

OP, did you get an open wound? If so, doctor asap. Don't hesitate.

[Capricornhem]

Apologies for the late reply everyone. Thank you so much for your kind words, I really appreciate it.

My hair isn't long it's shoulder length and we have to wear our hair up for work. I had a few front pieces of my hair hanging out and I was using a machine. Somehow it got caught and I didn't realise. Once I moved my hair ripped out from the scalp (I don't think I damaged it though). I was really shocked.

So the next day (today) my I had to style my hair again and I was in pain, my scalp felt sore and I had a headache. The bald patch isn't big, however, I've already been struggling with my hair journey and this has really upset me. I know it may not be a big deal to many people but I've been dealing with hair loss for quite a while now so this was just the icing on the cake.

[Capricornhem]

Thank you for the advice! I didn't get an open wound but I am considering going to my doctor to get me scalp checked out. I just hope my scalp isn't damaged :/

[Capricornhem]

There is a bald patch right at the front of my hair. Once my scalp heals, would I be able to use eyeshadow to cover up the bald patch? Or is that a bad idea? I'm desperate to sort this out. This has damaged my self esteem..

[Capricornhem]

Sorry for the typos I'm on my phone and going back home!

[Milkchocolate]

I sometimes use dark eyeshadow or hair powder (specifically for that) to touch up sparse areas to make it look fuller and more presentable. I fill it in the with a fluffy eyeshadow brush for even dispersal. It looks great and as long as you match it close to your hair color, it’s no issue at all! I actually enjoy it!! so I hope it helps you and brings you comfort in some way ❤️

[calmyogi]

Eye shadow will probably work, but there are sprays and products made for covering bald patches on your scalp. I think someone else commented with what they use.

[lapushka]

Apologies for the late reply everyone. Thank you so much for your kind words, I really appreciate it.

My hair isn't long it's shoulder length and we have to wear our hair up for work. I had a few front pieces of my hair hanging out and I was using a machine. Somehow it got caught and I didn't realise. Once I moved my hair ripped out from the scalp (I don't think I damaged it though). I was really shocked.

So the next day (today) my I had to style my hair again and I was in pain, my scalp felt sore and I had a headache. The bald patch isn't big, however, I've already been struggling with my hair journey and this has really upset me. I know it may not be a big deal to many people but I've been dealing with hair loss for quite a while now so this was just the icing on the cake.

OMG! A machine. :( That is some force then. I would get it looked at in this case. And if you don't want to go immediately, if after a month there is no hair growth, GO! Run. Don't mean to scare you but machines are bad news. I was suspecting as much. :(

Next time even pin the wispies back with bobby pins or clippy pins.


Thank you for the advice! I didn't get an open wound but I am considering going to my doctor to get me scalp checked out. I just hope my scalp isn't damaged :/

Do go. Better safe than sorry. :flower:

[Capricornhem]

OMG! A machine. :( That is some force then. I would get it looked at in this case. And if you don't want to go immediately, if after a month there is no hair growth, GO! Run. Don't mean to scare you but machines are bad news. I was suspecting as much. :(

Next time even pin the wispies back with bobby pins or clippy pins.



Do go. Better safe than sorry. :flower:

Will it be better to see a dermatologist or my actual doctor? I have decided that I will see someone though just in case. I don't want to keep worrying about whether i've permanently damaged my follicles or not. Thats exactly what I did today, I used bobby pins to keep all wispy hairs out of my face. :shrug:

[Capricornhem]

Sorry, that sounds painful. I wear a product I get from Sally's to cover my bald spots it is called Toppix. You can also order Cabooki on line. I agree with the others buns for work.

Thank you! I have a Sally's near me so I will have a look when I get a chance to. Will the product cause scalp build up?

[Ylva]

Yes, eyeshadow or some kind of root spray would work great for that purpose.

[Five of Five]

My goodness, that sounds awful! I hope you recover quickly and it grows back speedily :blossom:

Perhaps you could try a deep side part, combed over a little to the front, to hide the bald spot?

[ursaV]

Thats terrible! Just for a little reassurance, when I was a kid I was on the swings twisting the two ropes around and around in a corkscrew so I can let go and spin around really fast. What I didn't notice was my hair got caught right up in that corkscrew so when I let go it ripped my hair clean off my head! It was a nice chunk in the back but it all grew back, I can't feel any baldness back there now. As opposed to the other side of my head in the back where I got stitches, I have a nice bald spot there :lol: I was a bit of a clumsy child!

But I really do think it will grow back. I would also recommend something invigorating to the scalp like peppermint or tea tree EO and just some nice scalp massages. Not sure about covering it up besides getting creative with some headbands, but I'm sure it will be back to normal soon, even if you have a little shorter section it'll be hardly noticeable.

[lapushka]

Will it be better to see a dermatologist or my actual doctor? I have decided that I will see someone though just in case. I don't want to keep worrying about whether i've permanently damaged my follicles or not. Thats exactly what I did today, I used bobby pins to keep all wispy hairs out of my face. :shrug:

Whomever you can see on short notice, I would go with, and you can always ask for a referral when you're there. At least that's how it works here in Belgium. You can go see a specialist without a referral, but I wouldn't overlook primary care!

[aethyra]

You need to file a formal report with your employer. Then hire an attorney and go see a dermatologist. This job clearly is hazardous and your report will csuse your employer to put more ssfety practices in place. If you have pain then you are absolutely entitled to take time off to heal. If you hire an attorney, all time off will be compensated to you in due course. Perhaps partial pay depending on your state requurements. Further, it is illegal for an employer to fire you due to a work related injury. Laws vary by states and countries, but your empkoyer will be forced to pay your medical bills.

I feel so bad that you have gone through this! Sending prayers of healing your way. :blossom::blossom::blossom::blossom::blossom::blos som::blossom::blossom::blossom:

[aethyra]

Sorry 4 my phone based typos too.

[lapushka]

aethyra, not all jobs are that "secure" in that you can do that and still expect to have a job. I for sure didn't with my work-related injury (car accident on the way to work). So it's up to OP!

[aethyra]

Yes, I know this as well. But it is an actionable work related injury and they need to help her. She needs a derm and legal counsel as well as healing time. This is heartbreaking to think that she is back to work with pain, injuries and fear. I was terminated from a job a month after i fell down a flight of stairs. But I was compensated for lost work and all medical was paid. When they fire you for fikibg a claim it does not help their case whatsoever and you can also sue for unlawful termination in a seperate case.

[aethyra]

You are my favorite poster here FWIW. Lapushka...

[Dark40]

Yikes!!!! You shouldn't wear your hair loose at work. Always wear it up in a bun or a braid. I'm so sorry that happened to you.

[aethyra]

Oh yes. I forgot to mention that i was working at a law office job (15 total years as paralegal with various firms) when I fell down the stairs, which had loose, bunched up carpeting.



*My suggestions above do not and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact legal counsel specializing in workers compensation.*

[Eve-Jade-Day]

Ouch, OP! Hope your scalp is less tender now and you're feeling better overall.

Also, hello, fellow Cappie!

[cjk]

My hair isn't long it's shoulder length and we have to wear our hair up for work.

So you're not an extreme outlier. This is good, in context. And your employer has long hair policies in place, which means they're aware of the potential for injury.


I had a few front pieces of my hair hanging out and I was using a machine.

intentionally? Or by accident? Were you in good-faith compliance with their rule? That's what will be asked of you.


Somehow it got caught and I didn't realise. Once I moved my hair ripped out from the scalp (I don't think I damaged it though). I was really shocked.

Ouch!

Glad to see the way you worded it, though. You ripped it out, not the machine ripped it out.

Hope you get to feeling better!

[aethyra]

Insurance defense lawyer in the louse? Lol..

[aethyra]

Can we edit posts? I am pretty sure I meant house..

[aethyra]

Insurance defense nessage was meant for CJK.. I do not have editing permissions, regretfully.

[lapushka]

You are my favorite poster here FWIW. Lapushka...

Really? :o Thank you! :D

[aethyra]

Yes. I showed my fiance your signature photo abd tokd him you are my hair guru now. :o I read and follow your advice on hair. Still trying your product, ROO and LOC advices and experimenting with my products..

Because of many on LHC I realized it is not just what you use, but how you use it. Grareful for the site and the Goddesses of the Tresses that frequent LHC.

[Alun]

Many years ago I had a co-worker named Patrick, who apparently used to have long hair and then had short hair. He caught his hair in a drill he was using, the kind of thing called a stand drill because it was mounted on a fixed stand. I can't imagine how traumatic it would have been, especially as I don't know how badly it was caught.

Many people advised me that I ought to cut my hair short before repeating his experience. I didn't, but I was certainly very wary of this particular piece of equipment, which I seldom used anyway.

The moral, and it's not a particularly edifying one, is take precautions before something nasty happens and your hair is caught in rotating machinery. It's much harder to fix things after the event.

[lapushka]

Yes. I showed my fiance your signature photo abd tokd him you are my hair guru now. :o I read and follow your advice on hair. Still trying your product, ROO and LOC advices and experimenting with my products..

Because of many on LHC I realized it is not just what you use, but how you use it. Grareful for the site and the Goddesses of the Tresses that frequent LHC.

You are so sweet! :) Thank you.

I have to say about the methods in my signature, if it works for you, great, awesome, but if it doesn't, don't keep pushing it just because. If your hair decides it needs other things, trust it & let it guide you instead of the other way around! :) :flower:

[Makyle]

Like many above - completely cringed when I read this. I also agree to go see a doctor he/she may also be able to tell you if you have damaged the follicles. Once you have the all clear to do so maybe massage the area with some argan oil to speed up the growth/healing - im not a doctor but I heard that can help.

Also, buns and up-dos are the way forward.

[cjk]

Insurance defense nessage was meant for CJK.. I do not have editing permissions, regretfully.

No. Computer and network specialist.

But I do read what is actually written. And I'm very glad he (?) was not seriously injured. But those questions are the ones which will be asked, so it's best to be prepared.