Actress Tricia Helfer shares her experience of recovering from heavy metal poisoning caused by hair extensions.
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She had worn various types of hair extensions throughout her career, including metal clip-in extensions in 2018.
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After two months of wearing them, she began experiencing unusual symptoms like scalp tenderness and soreness, gum pain, and skin irritation.
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A hairstylist on the set of "Swat" noticed alopecia and bald spots on her scalp, leading her to remove the extensions.
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Tricia noticed that the metal clips on the extensions were green, similar to cheap costume jewelry.
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She consulted her doctor, who referred her to a dermatologist and an allergist, but no metal allergies were found.
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Despite the removal of extensions, she continued to experience symptoms like memory issues, fatigue, and nausea.
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A friend suggested heavy metal poisoning as a possibility, leading her to seek testing, which revealed elevated lead levels.
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Tricia underwent cortisone shots for her bald spots and chelation therapy to remove the metals from her body.
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Her experience serves as a warning about the potential risks of certain types of hair extensions, especially those left in for extended periods.
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