Not all hair styles are created equal. They vary in terms of look, of course, and also in terms of ease and convenience. Something you might not be aware of is that they can also differ in how they impact your hair and scalp. Some hair styles are perfectly safe, while others can actually do damage—and in some cases even lead to hair loss.
How do certain hair styles lead to hair loss, though? And what are some of the specific styles that you should avoid? We’ll walk you through the answers to both of these questions.
It’s Called Traction Alopecia
Alopecia is an umbrella term that encompasses many different types of hair loss. Androgenetic alopecia, for instance, is hereditary hair loss. Alopecia totalis is hair loss that encompasses not just the scalp, but the whole body.
And traction alopecia is the name given to hair loss that’s caused by styling—specifically, by styles that pull or tug at the hair. While no hair style is going to cause baldness overnight, there are certain styles that can do damage over time. If you choose these hair styles daily, it shouldn’t come as a surprise when you start to notice some shedding.
Which Hair Styles Cause Shedding?
So what are some of these harmful hair styles? Here is a partial list.
Ponytails
Though the ponytail is one of the easiest ways to style your hair, it’s not necessarily one of the healthiest; women who wear their hair in ponytails often are more prone to receding hairlines later in life. Tighter ponytails are more dangerous, and the effects can be somewhat mitigated by allowing your hair to be fairly loose.
Braids
Similar to ponytails, braids are more dangerous when they are tighter. There have been many studies of women who wear braids, and the results indicate a heightened risk for central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA)—basically, hair loss that starts at the crown and then moves toward the periphery of the scalp.
Cornrows
Maintaining cornrows usually means that the hair is washed less frequently and less thoroughly—which can sometimes end in bacterial infection of the scalp. This, in turn, can cause hair loss.
Buns
Whether you are a woman or a man, wearing your hair in a tight bun can lead to a lot of pulling, a lot of friction—and ultimately, to a lot of breakage. Hair loss is common among those who frequently wear their hair in buns.
Promoting Healthy Hair
There are many different ways in which you can promote healthy hair growth, and protect yourself from shedding and baldness. The way you style your hair is certainly a factor, but there are also steps you can take to replace the hair you’ve lost or to restore healthy scalp conditions. To learn more, we invite you to join us for a consultation at New Image. We’d love to talk with you more about your hair maintenance routine, and about ways you can promote growth.