Hair Loss in Women

Alopecia Areata Awareness Month

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Alopecia Areata Awareness Month SeptemberSeptember is Alopecia Areata Awareness Month. Organized by the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, the goal is to raise awareness of alopecia areata by sharing educational information, organizing local events, and getting more people to understand the need for an FDA-approved treatment. The first step to increase the awareness of alopecia areata is to know what it is. [Read more…] about Alopecia Areata Awareness Month

Embarrassment About Hair Loss

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Ricki Lake's Hair Loss StoryIt’s common to feel embarrassment about experiencing hair loss; especially for women. While it’s not as commonly talked about, up to half of all women will experience some form of hair loss during their lifetime. Part of why we don’t hear more about female pattern baldness is because of the lack of high-profile women and female celebrities that are understandably not open about their experiences with it. [Read more…] about Embarrassment About Hair Loss

National Hair Loss Awareness Month 2020

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August Hair Loss Awareness MonthThis August marks another National Hair Loss Awareness Month. While some may read this and think that people are already aware of their own hair loss and don’t need to pay any further attention, those people would be missing the point. National Hair Loss Awareness Month is about being aware of the causes, types, and solutions to hair loss. [Read more…] about National Hair Loss Awareness Month 2020

Dandruff and Hair Loss

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does dandruff cause hair loss?Dandruff, also known as seborrheic dermatitis, affects roughly half the adult population. Though it can affect other parts of your body, it primarily causes dry, scaly skin on your scalp resulting in dead skin falling off in flakes, commonly referred to as dandruff. While you may have known all of that already, what you might not have known is that it could lead to hair loss. [Read more…] about Dandruff and Hair Loss

Vitamin B, C & D and Hair Loss

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Vitamins and HairHair loss can be caused by many things from genetics to medical conditions, including nutritional and vitamin deficiency While vitamins won’t correct hair loss from radiation treatments, chemotherapy, genetics, or autoimmune diseases, it will help provide a good foundation for hair growth and correct any nutrition-based hair loss. [Read more…] about Vitamin B, C & D and Hair Loss

Hairstyle Appreciation Day

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man with a tight man bun hairstyleEvery 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:

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.

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