An emergency room doctor has warned women against wearing popular claw hair clips while driving, saying the accessories can cause serious injuries in a car accident. Dr Joe, who shares advice on Instagram, said he has removed several claw clips from women's heads after crashes, explaining that the plastic items can become embedded beneath the scalp.
Doctor's warning over popular hair accessory
In a video shared on social media, Dr Joe said: "A little friendly neighbourhood PSA for women out there. Do you like to wear these? These claw-style hair clips? I've pulled several of these out of women's heads after car accidents. These little plastic things can be a real pain in the butt to get out from underneath the scalp once they're embedded."
He went on to warn that metal clips could pose an even greater risk, recalling a patient who suffered severe injuries after a crash. He added: "Worse yet are the metal ones. I actually saw a patient once who had a metal hair clip in her head during a car accident. And afterwards, she had a skull fracture and a brain bleed."
Safety advice for drivers and passengers
The doctor urged women to take precautions when travelling by car, suggesting that using a different type of hair accessory could be a safer option. He added: "So make sure you're taking some precautions if you're in a car with these hair clips. It might be a better idea to use a different type of hair tie."
The position of a hair clip can potentially affect how a person's head sits against a car's head restraint. During a collision or sudden stop, a rigid clip may also contribute to head or neck injuries. Removing a claw clip before driving could therefore be a simple precaution, particularly if it sits at the back of the head where it may interfere with the head restraint.
Social media reaction
Commenting on his post, one user said: "Wow! Never thought of that!" Another user added: "I wear mine high, not on the back of my head. Good to know though!" A third user said: "I use these, but I always take them out when I’m in a car because they’re uncomfortable against the head rest anyway."
