It doesn’t matter if you’ve had the same tried-and-true hairdo since you were in first grade or if you prefer switching it up daily; what is crucial is that you are conscious that certain techniques of styling your hair can lead to hair loss. Here are some examples of hairstyles that you should avoid.
In addition to causing damage, having tense hair may, over time, lead to irreversible hair loss due to the cumulative effects of the tension. Altering the style at the first indication of thinning hair can, however, avoid further harm to your hair if you do it quickly enough.
If you want to avoid losing your hair, choose a hairstyle that doesn’t cause it to be pulled too tightly. It is essential to remember that the tension of the constant strain on the hair is more likely to result in hair loss than the actual hairstyle itself.
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Hairstyles You Should Avoid
Braids Near the Hairline
Although they may be quite appealing to the eye, face-framing braids do significant damage to the strands of your hair. The hairline is the most fragile and prone to breakage, so avoid wearing tight braids. To stop yourself from losing more hair than necessary, begin braiding the hair at the crown downwards.
Styling Damp Hair
When you’re in a rush, and the hair is wet, you might think that the quickest thing to do is to tie the hair into a swift bun or ponytail. However, damp hair is more brittle than dry and can easily break if pulled too firmly with a hair band. If you’re in a hurry, use some styling products and some big hair pins to keep the hair in place until it is dried. These are kinder to your hair than elastic ones.
Tight Top-Knots
When we have a bad hair day, many find that wearing the hair in a tight top knot is the most effective method to cope with it. This results in traction at the base of your hair, which can be uncomfortable and pulls the hair back tightly. Even though there are a lot of people who like this sleek hairdo, you should only wear it occasionally. Instead, choose to make a messy, loose bun because it is much easier.
High Ponytails
Putting your hair into a ponytail is an efficient and uncomplicated approach to giving your hair a new look. However, using the same method to style your hair daily can harm its health. Using elastic hair ties that are too tight regularly can cause damage to the hair shaft, resulting in the hair being frayed. Experts are not suggesting you give up your favorite ponytail forever, only that you try some other looks. Change over to hair ties made of cloth or knot it with a scarf; the important thing is to ensure that the knot is kept loose rather than tight.
By adhering to the recommendations made by dermatologists, you can lessen the likelihood of experiencing this form of hair loss. Try to limit the number of times you wear styles that strain on the hair. You can get away with putting your hair in a tight ponytail or bun now and again, but doing so daily is not recommended. The repeated yanking on your hair may cause individual strands to get damaged or even fall out entirely.
Repeated yanking can eventually cause harm to your hair follicles if it is continued. If your hair follicles are damaged, you will have permanent hair loss since new hair cannot grow from the damaged follicles.
You can do the following to alleviate the persistent pulling:
- Braids should be loosened, especially around the hairline.
- You should wear a braided style for at most 2 – 3 months.
- Choose braids and dreadlocks with a greater amount of thickness.
Altering your hairstyle can be another effective way to lessen the tension. When you alter your hairstyle, you should wait at least a few weeks afterward to allow your hair to heal. For instance, after wearing cornrows for a while, you might wish to switch to lose braids or let your hair grow out for a while.
When wearing a weave, make sure to follow these safety precautions. Using wefts and extensions in your hair is an excellent technique to achieve the desired effects of increased volume and length.
To avoid experiencing hair loss as a result of these factors, physicians advise that you:
- You should only wear them for brief periods because the constant pulling on your hair may raise the risk of getting traction alopecia.
- Remove them as soon as possible if they are causing you any discomfort or if they are irritating your scalp.
- Choose weaves that are sewn in instead of ones that are held together with bonding glue.
- Relax your hair by getting it done by a professional. If your hairstylist has received training in chemical relaxers, they can choose the product that will give you the results you want while causing the least harm to your hair. Simply asking your hairdresser if they have received this training is the best way to find out. It would be best if you also inquired about the steps your hairstylist will take to preserve the condition of your mane.
Keep an eye out for the early warning symptoms of hair loss. If you wear styles that pull your hair firmly, you should check for the following early indications of hair loss at least once a month:
- Hair loss in the forehead area
- An increasingly thin hairline
- Spots of baldness near the crown where the hair has been pulled too tightly
If you observe any of the signs mentioned above, it is time to refrain from pulling at the hair so that new hair can grow in its place. When pulling is continued, most people will eventually realize that their hair has stopped growing at some point. You’ll have smooth, hairless skin where your head used to be covered in hair. When traction alopecia has progressed to this stage, it is no longer possible for your hair to grow back.
Final Thought
Keep an eye out for early warning signs of hair loss, such as hair loss in the forehead area, a thinning hairline, or bald spots where the hair has been pulled too tightly. If you notice these signs, refrain from pulling your hair to allow new growth. Continued pulling can lead to irreversible hair loss, leaving you with smooth, hairless skin where your once-covered head used to be.