The health of your skin is linked to the health of your hair. Different skin conditions such as eczema and seborrheic dermatitis can impact your scalp’s health. It’s not all that uncommon either; up to 5% of the population suffers from scalp eczema. [Read more…] about Eczema & Other Skin Conditions and Hair Loss
Hair Loss in Men
Hairstyle Appreciation Day
Every April 30 is Hairstyle Appreciation Day, a day designed to honor hairstyles and those who create them. Hair and hairstyles are getting more attention than ever with the animated short film, Hair Love, winning an Oscar.
Can Your Hairstyle Be the Cause of Your Hair Loss?
Unfortunately, yes, certain hairstyles can lead to hair loss. While people can lose hair for a wide variety of reasons like genetics, autoimmune disorders, stress, etc. certain hairstyles can cause temporary hair loss which can become permanent.
The hairstyles most likely to cause hair thinning are:
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Buns
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Tight ponytails
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Braids
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Cornrows
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Twists or twisted hairband styles
What all of those hairstyles have in common are that they can tightly pull on the hair follicles. If continued over time, without breaks or alternating styles, the tension causes inflammation and damages the hair follicle, causing permanent hair loss called traction alopecia. While all of those styles and more can be performed without the unnecessary tension that leads to hair loss, it’s all too common for it to turn into a problem.
Worse, certain professions have requirements or expectations that involve these hairstyles. Military personnel, ballerinas, law enforcement officers, gymnasts, and surgical teams frequently have to wear their hair in tight buns or braids. In some cases, short hairstyles can be worn as an alternative but not always, which means women and people of color, disproportionately suffer from traction alopecia.
Hairstyles to Prevent Hair Loss and Hairstyles for Traction Alopecia
Loose hairstyles do not cause traction alopecia. If alternated with those that constrain the hair, traction alopecia can be averted or reversed. Some hairstylists of African descent have developed hairstyles for traction alopecia that camouflage the condition while giving the scalp a chance to rest.
Other hairstyle trends that can lead to traction alopecia:
- Using clips, bands, pins, etc.
- Sleeping in rollers every night
- Wearing the same tight hairstyle all the time
- Having very long hair for a long time – the weight can pull on the scalp
- Tight ponytails, buns, braids, twists, dreadlocks, cornrows, weaves, extensions, etc.
The other important aspect of traction alopecia is recognizing it early because the sooner it is detected and addressed, the better the results and the greater the chance of reversal.
Early symptoms of traction alopecia include:
- Scalp redness
- Headaches
- Stinging, itching, or soreness in the scalp
- Widening hair part
- Scalp sensitivity after letting your hair down
Celebrate Hairstyle Appreciation Day and take care of your scalp by trying a new style if you are concerned about developing traction alopecia or wear your hair pulled tightly. The change of pace will be good for both your mood and your hair follicles.
RHRLI Are the Hair Restoration Experts
If you’re suffering from hair loss, we here at RHRLI have the experience to restore your head of hair. Our state-of-the-art facility uses the ARTAS® robot for precise results and faster healing. To learn more as to why RHRLI is Long Island’s hair restoration leader, contact us today.
What Signs Mean I Should Schedule a Hair Loss Consultation?
Scheduling a hair loss consultation is a crucial step in tackling hair loss issues. When you make the decision to make that call, it represents your first concrete step to take control of permanent or temporary hair loss. Let’s look at what a conversation about hair loss entails, including when you should schedule a consultation, and whether your hair loss may be permanent or temporary. [Read more…] about What Signs Mean I Should Schedule a Hair Loss Consultation?
Prescription Medications and Hair Loss
If you see a lot more people wearing purple on March 26 than usual it’s because “Purple Day” is another name for Epilepsy Awareness Day. Epilepsy is a chronic condition that involves recurring, unprovoked seizures, sometimes caused by a brain injury or family genetics, but sometimes the cause is unknown. [Read more…] about Prescription Medications and Hair Loss
Autoimmune Disease and Hair Loss
Autoimmune diseases are a grouping of more than 80 chronic diseases, which are frequently debilitating and sometimes life-threatening. The National Institutes of Health estimates that up to seven percent of the population – that’s up to 23.5 million Americans – have an autoimmune disease. [Read more…] about Autoimmune Disease and Hair Loss
Helmets, Ball Caps and Hair Loss
Many issues can cause hair loss, from genetics and hormones to medication to tight hair styles. We’ve already examined the impact of hats on hair loss, but what about helmets? [Read more…] about Helmets, Ball Caps and Hair Loss
Organ Donation and Hair Loss
After genetics and hormones, which are factors in male/female pattern hair loss, illness and medication side effects are key factors in hair loss. With National Organ Donation Day coming on February 14, it’s a great time to examine the role of organ transplants in hair loss – as a possible future treatment. [Read more…] about Organ Donation and Hair Loss
Can You Go Bald From Wearing Hats?
Hair loss is surrounded by myths. Everything from sunshine and shampoo to your mother has been blamed for hair loss. While yes, genetics are a main culprit in hair loss, don’t blame mom or what you put on your head. [Read more…] about Can You Go Bald From Wearing Hats?
Facts About Traction Alopecia
Alopecia is the medical term for hair loss, but it can come in many forms. The most common form of hair loss is androgenetic alopecia, which is more commonly known as male (or female) pattern baldness. Another very common form of hair loss is traction alopecia, which means hair loss as a result of tight hairstyles that pull on the scalp. Traction alopecia is reversible if it doesn’t go on too long, but it can become permanent if the signs are neglected or ignored. [Read more…] about Facts About Traction Alopecia
9 Winter Hair Care Tips For 2019
Winter can take a toll on your hair, scalp, and skin. Fortunately, you don’t have to live all winter with flaky, dry skin and scalp or brittle, flyaway, lackluster hair. Whether you have thinning hair or long tresses, a bit of self-care will improve your scalp and hair health this winter. Here are 9 hair, scalp, and skin tips to follow for hair health this winter.
- Avoid Hot Showers
- Wash Your Hair Less Frequently
- Gently Dry Wet Hair
- Use Hair Moisturizers
- Use Natural Shampoo and Conditioner
- Baby Color-Treated Hair
- Decrease Your Use of Heat Styling Tools
- Only Use EWG Verified Hair Styling Products
- Wear The Right Hats and Scarves
Yes, super-hot showers feel good on a winter’s day, especially if you have a chilly bathroom. However, hot shower temperatures can dry out your hair, skin, and scalp. Hot water removes natural oils from your skin and scalp. It also dries the hair shaft. To avoid this, take shorter showers in warm or lukewarm water. If you can tolerate it, finishing a shower with cool water helps close the hair follicles to prevent further moisture loss
If you’re prone to dry hair, give your scalp a chance to replenish its natural oils, otherwise, you could dry out your skin and hair. If you tend toward oily hair, use a dry shampoo to refresh your hair without shampooing too often.
Wet hair is more prone to breakage so don’t rub your dry with a towel. The better option is to pat your hair dry, especially with a microfiber towel because they’re soft and absorbent. Only use a wide-tooth comb on wet hair. If possible, wait until your hair is 80% dry via air-drying before combing for even better results.
Winter is the perfect time to use deep conditioning treatments, overnight hair masks, etc. If your hair is naturally dry, consider it once a week. Otherwise, once every ten days to two weeks is probably sufficient. Using natural, lightweight oil, like jojoba or argan oil, or serum while your hair is still damp and before blow-drying is also a good idea. It creates a layer of protection between your hair and extreme weather or heat styling tools. Just make sure to use a small amount focused on your ends, not roots, to avoid a greasy feel. If that’s too much, try an ultra-hydrating shampoo and/or conditioner instead.
Natural ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, grapeseed oil, jojoba, and almond oil can add moisture to your hair without a greasy feeling. Natural and hypoallergenic ingredients are also less likely to cause scalp dryness. Besides counteracting environmental conditions that can dry your hair, it can also prevent flyaway hair.
Dyed hair already needs special care. Winter makes them more important. Use products designed specifically to hydrate color-treated hair for best results.
Heated styling tools like flat irons, blow dryers, curling irons and hot rollers can dry your hair out any time but, in the winter, the risk of hair damage is greater. If your styling tool has a temperature setting, using the lower setting is better, especially since some hair irons can reach 450 degrees Fahrenheit. And don’t use heat tools every day.
Certain ingredients commonly used in hair styling products can dry your hair and scalp, raising the risk of breakage and flaky skin in the winter. Those same ingredients are labeled items of concern by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) so look for products that are Hair EWG verified, and you’ll both help the environment and yourself. Also, avoid products that contain alcohol because it is naturally drying.
While no one likes “hat hair” wearing a hat or scarf protects your hair from snow, ice, sleet, and extreme cold, which can damage your hair. That said, hats and scarves made of acrylic, wool or scratchy fabrics can cause static in your hair so use cotton or fleece instead or at least wear a silk scarf between your hair and the wool, acrylic, etc. item. Wearing a hat will make you feel more comfortable because a lot of heat is lost through the head. This is even more important if you’re experiencing hair loss.
Also, avoid going outside with wet hair in the winter. The cuticle is still open when hair is wet so it will be more prone to frizzing or having static afterward, plus it can literally freeze, which also damages your hair.
Take good care of your hair and scalp this winter, and you’ll feel and look better. If you want to make a change to your thinning hairline, talk to the experts in hair loss at RHRLI. We operate at our state-of-the-art facility using the ARTAS® hair transplant system and our surgeon, Dr. Baiju Gohil, has years of experience including over 400 successful procedures. Contact us for a personal consultation to assess whether robotic hair restoration is appropriate for you. Learn more by contacting us today.
