For those of us with longer or kinkier hair, it is important to have a go-to hairstyle that keeps it out of our eyes and our food without making us look like a founding father. Once you have found a look that works, it can be tempting to use it all the time, but this may not be the best choice for the long term health of your hair. If you are using the same high tension hairstyle daily, then you are more likely to experience breakage where the hair is secured. Even worse, it could make you more susceptible to hair loss as you age. Here are how hairstyles can cause hair loss.
Why Would Hairstyles Cause Hair Loss?
You may not always think about it, but your hair is actually very sensitive. Staying properly hydrated, eating a balanced diet, and avoiding too much exposure to the sun are all important to keeping your hair healthy. These measures protect the follicles themselves, but regularly wearing a tight hairstyle can cause permanent damage to otherwise healthy cells, preventing them from replacing hair strands during the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle.
The result is that old hair will shed out, and the follicles will be unable to replace them with new growth. Over time, this can lead to increasingly prominent hair loss known as traction alopecia. Fortunately, avoiding hair loss does not mean forgoing your favorite styles. You can still wear them as long as you know which styles are likely to cause issues and can switch them up at set intervals.
Hairstyles to Pay Attention To
If your hairstyle is ever uncomfortably tight, then you should do what you can to loosen it. Such hairstyles can cause hair loss. In many cases, you can loosen a ponytail or bun. You can even change the height of the hairstyle throughout the day to reduce strain on a specific set of hair follicles. However, we realize that this isn’t always possible. Some hairstyles require a level of tension to work. Cornrows, weaves, and hairstyles used in athletic circles have to be tight, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still protect your hair.
For those who enjoy wearing a weave or extensions, it is important that you give your hair a break. Limit the amount of time that you keep your weave on, allowing plenty of relaxation time for your hair in each 24 hour period. To make this easier, choose a sew-in option. If you have extensions, then you should take a break from them once they’re removed. The same rule applies to cornrows and other semi-permanent hairstyles.
Every two to three months change up your style a little. You can opt to keep your hair natural or ask your stylist about alternate choices that will give your follicles a little breathing room. Relaxing your hair is an option. However, the chemicals can be harsh, and it is usually better for your hair to pick a natural style you love for a few months before returning to a tightly braided style.
Addressing an Existing Issue
If this advice came a little late for you, and you’re already experiencing hair loss, don’t worry. There are still steps you can take to restore natural hair growth. As a hair transplant specialist in Houston, Dr. Linville offers patients a chance to regrow their own hair through both traditional hair transplants and NeoGraft Hair Restoration. Although both procedures are highly effective, Dr. Linville feels that NeoGraft has “revolutionized” hair restoration, as it offers a minimally invasive option with little downtime and no visible scarring. To discuss NeoGraft and other hair restoration options, schedule a consultation today.
