Yes. Certain hairstyles can cause your hair to fall out. This is known as traction alopecia. Traction alopecia is a type of hair loss that happens over a period of time when your hair has been under constant strain or tension. The pulling force of the hairstyle applied to the hairs is the underlying contributor to the loss. Traction alopecia is significantly more common in women as their hair is longer allowing for more strenuous hairstyles but men also wear their hair long so it’s important for men, who are wearing their hair long or may have future intentions of doing so, to cover it.
The types of hairstyles that are typically associated with traction alopecia are tight buns, knots, or ponytails. Traction alopecia is most common among African-American women, and as many as a thirds are known to have the condition. African-American hair is curly and tight, and the individual fibers are much thinner than that of other races which makes them more prone to breaking. The culture also uses styles such as straightening and braiding, both of which cause excessive force on the hair roots leading to a detachment from the follicle.
Below are some tips which may help in the prevention of traction alopecia:
Avoid extensions as they are just excess weight on the hair causing constant tension. The extensions pull down on the hair and can lead to damaged fibers. While there are various methods used to attach extensions, any glue that is used to attach them can also cause damage to the natural hair.
Change your styling techniques on a regular basis. If you use heat-based equipment like straighteners or curlers on a daily basis, it is going to cause significant and permanent damage.
Avoid frequent coloring as the chemicals and bleaches in the dyes draw out moisture from the hair leaving it dry and brittle and more likely to snap.
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