Could Your Hairstyle Cause Hair Loss?

Your hair reflects your personality. It is part of your signature style. We all know hair loss can occur as we age. There are many causes of hair loss, including decreased keratin (protein) production, hormonal changes, genetics, prolonged resting phase in the hair regeneration cycle, diet, and other factors. But sometimes, something as simple as your daily hairstyle could contribute to your hair loss.

This is called traction alopecia. It occurs when you experience hair loss due to consistent pulling and stress on your hairline. Unfortunately, this pulling can compromise the integrity of your hair follicles. It can even damage them, making them unable to grow hair.

How do you know if you have traction alopecia? Telltale signs include but are not limited to a noticeably thinner hairline, a swollen or irritated scalp, and/or hair that is short around the root due to breakage. Other symptoms include stinging of the scalp, visible crusts or sores on your scalp or sections of your scalp pulled upward like a tent. The signs will be obvious, so you will know when to take action to prevent further damage.

Speaking of taking action, several hairstyles might cause traction alopecia or scalp irritation due to tension of the hair.

This may seem obvious, but tight ponytails bound by elastic cause stress and tension both at the scalp and where the elastic bind the hair. When you remove the elastic, you pull on your hair which has been pulled from the scalp throughout the duration of the hairstyle. If you wear tight ponytails daily, you may experience hair loss. Consider pinning your hair back or choosing a more relaxed ponytail that isn’t as tight.

Fear not; we’re not here to tell you to avoid hair extensions altogether. However, if you enjoy hair extensions, be sure to take a break between applications to give your hair a break. Heavy extensions can cause your hair to break off. If you use clip-in hair extensions, try to avoid placing them in the same spot on your hair. Repetitive clipping may cause hair loss.

From application to prolonged wear, cornrows require tight braids that pull on the scalp. Due to the nature of this hairstyle, your hair could experience tension for long periods. Cornrows tend to be made up of small braids. If possible, opt for thicker braids to help reduce the surface area of tension on your scalp.

Remember, your hair is at its weakest when it is wet. Couple that with a tight ponytail, and you have a weak cluster of hair prone to breakage. When you’re short on time, it can be easy to throw your hair in a messy bun and run out the door. Instead, try to air dry your hair indoors and leave it down or loosely pinned back.

Changing your hair color is as natural as changing your outfit. But when you dye your hair frequently, you can compromise the integrity of your hair over time. This leads to dry, brittle hair and split ends. And let’s face it, no one wants that! When you do dye your hair, try to stay within a few shades of your natural color to prevent the need to dye to cover roots. Or choose hair color products that have nourishing properties and natural elements. The fewer chemicals, the better.

Regular scalp massages feel very relaxing. They can help reduce stress and promote calm and general well-being. From a scientific standpoint, scalp massages stimulate blood flow and circulation throughout the scalp, delivering much-needed vitamins and nutrients to your hair follicles.

You may have hit the hair jackpot if you have naturally straightened hair. But if you like to straighten your hair using heated styling tools, you could cause unwanted hair loss. The best way to prevent this is by using products to protect your hair from extreme heat before straightening. Also, try not to straighten your hair with the heat every day.

When you notice broken hairs along your hairline, pause that particular style. Unfortunately, your hair isn’t going to grow back overnight. But there are some styling methods you can use to conceal your hair loss while proactively supporting your hair health.

Since traction alopecia is noticeable along the hairline, choosing a friendly face-framing bangs style can help conceal the hair loss while giving your signature look a refreshing boost. Bangs are magical since they can make your scalp appear fuller.

Remember those scrunchies from years ago? Those fashionable hair elastics are gentle on hair since your hair doesn’t come in contact with the contracting and expanding rubber coil. Consider wearing a low and loose ponytail if you must wear a ponytail. This gives your hair plenty of room to move around the root and will not irritate the scalp.

Instead of a tight ponytail to conceal areas of thinning hair, you can rely on trusty hair clips that allow you to manipulate your hair and place it where you need it. Remember, don’t clip your hair too tight from the scalp.

Long hair isn’t suitable for individuals with traction alopecia because the existing hair can add weight to the scalp. Long hair can also make the thinning around your hairline more noticeable. As you work to regrow your hair, consider trying short or sporty hair styles for women in the interim to expedite growth.

When switching your signature style and waiting for hair to regrow doesn’t do the trick, you may need to invest in a more targeted approach to combat hair loss. Salon Bennett and Day Spa offer several hair restoration treatments to help you meet your hair care goals. Our hair loss solutions can help regrow, multiply, or replace hair so you can regain your confidence and achieve the look you desire. You can regrow hair from active hair follicles, undergo strand-by-strand treatment, or try hair replacement. Our trusted stylists value compassion and confidentiality. You can rest assured that your consultation will answer all your questions and that your treatment will be comfortable and satisfying.