Dermatologist Shares a Surprising Factor That Could Cause 'Permanent' Hair Loss
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A tight hairstyle can be helpful for getting long hair out of a person's face, but it can have a less desirable side effect as well, according to a dermatologist on TikTok.
Brooklyn-based dermatologist Mark Strom, going by the handle @demarkologist on the platform, posted a viral video with more than 9.9 million views since March 16, explaining several things he wishes people knew.
The first?
"Tight hairstyles with ponytails, braids or buns can cause PERMANENT hair loss," Strom wrote.
Stock image: Woman with a bun hairstyle.
Stock image: Woman with a bun hairstyle.
Photo by Viorel Kurnosov / Getty Images
Why Tight Hairstyles Cause Hair Loss
Tight hairstyles such as ponytails, braids, cornrows and buns can contribute to a condition known as traction—a form of gradual hair loss caused by constant tension on the hair follicles.
This repeated pulling can damage the roots and lead to hair breakage or permanent hair loss, especially along the hairline and temples. Dermatologists often see this type of hair loss in people who consistently wear styles that tightly pull the hair.
"The process is not immediate and that is what I think is most surprising—people affected have often styled there hair in the same way for years before it became an issue," Strom told Newsweek in an email.
Prevention and Care
Preventing traction alopecia starts with reducing the stress placed on hair follicles.
Looser hairstyles help, and avoid long-term use of extensions. It's important to change hairstyles frequently to relieve continuous tension on specific areas of the scalp, especially the hairline.
Using fabric-covered hair ties instead of elastic bands with metal parts can also help prevent breakage.
When early signs of traction alopecia appear—such as thinning edges, bumps, or scalp tenderness—intervening quickly is key. Dermatologists often recommend taking a break from tension-inducing styles to allow the hair follicles to recover.
Over-the-counter treatments like minoxidil (Rogaine) may be suggested to stimulate regrowth. In more advanced cases, where follicle scarring has occurred, hair regrowth may not be possible, and treatments like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy or hair transplant surgery might be considered.
Ongoing scalp care is also critical for managing the condition. Wash your hair gently, moisturize regularly with scalp-friendly products, and avoid scratching or harsh brushing.
"Prevention is key when it comes to traction alopecia," Strom told Newsweek.
"Additionally, there are hundreds of conditions that can cause hair loss, so anyone noticing the signs of thinning hair would be best served if they can see a dermatologist for evaluation."
Users React
While Strom's advice is scientifically accurate, his TikTok commentators didn't all appreciate the heads up.
"But my hair down overstimulates me," one user remarked.
"Just leave me and my slick back alone," another person added.
"Every woman in the military knows how true that first one is," a third user wrote, adding, "R.I.P. our hairlines."
Another individual told Strom he "lost" them at permanent hair loss.
"One tight ponytail is unlikely to cause hair loss," he clarified, "But the risk builds over the long term."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
The potential benefits of the ‘Japanese walking' workout which fans claim is better than 10,000 steps a day
There have been numerous walking workout trends that have circled social media in recent years. It's no wonder—walking has numerous benefits, including reducing heart disease risk, strengthening your joints and heart, boosting your mood, and potentially helping you live longer. The latest trend making the rounds across TikTok and Instagram is known as 'Japanese walking,' and one creator claims that in just 30 minutes, you'll get 10 times the benefits of hitting 10,000 steps a day. The workout originates from a 2007 study based in Japan where 246 participants were divided into three groups: no walking, moderate-intensity continuous walking (walking at a moderate effort and taking at least 8,000 steps per day four or more days per week), and high-intensity interval walking. The third group, doing the high-intensity intervals, were instructed to walk slowly for three minutes, then walk quickly at a hard effort for three minutes, and repeat five or more times for four or more days per week. The researchers discovered that this group experienced noticeable improvements in strength, endurance, and decreased blood pressure, more so than the moderate-intensity continuous walking group. This workout is what's now become known as 'Japanese walking.' Another study from 2018 observed participants who did this exact walking workout over the course of 10 years. They found that those who kept up with the workout for the duration of the study experienced a 20% improvement in their leg strength, and a 40% improvement in their peak exercise capacity. The researchers concluded that those participants had protected against age-associated declines in physical fitness. Even those who weren't able to maintain the workout for the full 10 years had those improvements partially preserved. Since you're getting your heart rate up during the harder walking intervals, your body gets the benefit of more moderate-to-vigorous intensity exercise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity each week for most adults, or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity—and pushing the walking pace every so often could help you reach that target. Additionally, research shows that moderate-to-vigorous intensity activity is associated with lower risk of early mortality and improved cardiorespiratory fitness. For the higher-intensity intervals, your heart rate should be elevated to the point where you're just starting to feel out of breath, but not at your maximum effort. The researchers consider this 70% of your max effort capability. Meanwhile, the lower-intensity walking should be an easy effort, where talking is still comfortable. Alternate walking at each intensity for three minutes until you reach 30 minutes. Incorporate this workout in your routine four times per week. For more on walking: Walking is a super exercise. The truth about the number of steps you really need, and maximizing the benefits Walking faster may help you live longer. Experts say to aim for this pace Walking more could add as much as 11 years to your life, study says. Here's how This story was originally featured on
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
The Bulletin June 4, 2025
The rundown: Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s vow to "Make America Healthy Again" could fall short when it comes to chronic disease, experts have warned. Here's how. Why it matters: Nearly 130 million Americans are estimated to have at least one form of chronic disease, which could be heart disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity or hypertension, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The proposed cuts to Medicaid funding and work requirements for eligibility to the benefits, which are set to come as part of the broader GOP budget bill, could leave many with chronic disease without access to vital care. As many as three in four adults enrolled in Medicaid report having one or more chronic conditions, and many are unable to work the hours needed to meet the new eligibility requirements, according to nonprofit health policy research and news organization, KFF. So, while some may be medically exempt, others will lose their health coverage, meaning their conditions could worsen without access to care. Read more in-depth coverage: Health Experts Call Out RFK Jr. Policy Changes: 'New Inconsistency Every Day' TL/DR: Experts told Newsweek that, while the Trump administration's ambition to "defeat" the "epidemic" is clear, whether its policies will help or hinder chronic-disease patients remains to be seen. What happens now? Ross Brownson, director of the Prevention Research Center at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, told Newsweek that Medicaid cuts would "likely have a detrimental effect on chronic disease risk among the most vulnerable populations," adding Medicaid-enrolled adults have significantly higher rates of chronic disease than individuals privately insured. Deeper reading Can Trump Tackle US 'Chronic Disease Crisis'? Experts Weigh In
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
Kids Find Way To Make Dad Serving Overseas Feel Like He's 'Always Home'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A military father-of-two deployed overseas has found a special way to stay close to his kids despite being over 6,000 miles away. When Major Peter DeCrans deployed to Kuwait for 10 months, he knew staying connected with his wife and family back home in Forest Lake, Minnesota, would be tough, particularly for his two young children, Zerick, 7, and Petroula, 5. Separation anxiety disorder, the clinical name for the extreme fear some kids experience when apart from a parent or caregiver, is a common issue in both young and older children. The key advantage older children have over younger ones, however, according to Dr. Elesia Hines, a psychologist at Riley Children's Health, is the ability to express these concerns verbally. Zerick, 7, and Petroula, 5, speak to their dad through their Ring doorbell camera. Zerick, 7, and Petroula, 5, speak to their dad through their Ring doorbell camera. Ring Dr. Hines wrote in a post on the Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health's website: "Older kids can verbalize a fear that something bad will happen to their parents or their caregiver, and it's important not to dismiss these fears. They may not say, 'I don't want to be away from you,' but it may show up as, 'I'm worried that if you go to work that something bad is going to happen to you on the way.' "That cognitive piece is important because it's not just the behaviors we see in older kids, but actual thoughts that they can express." Having someone to talk to about these feelings can be an effective way of addressing concerns head-on. Zerick and Petroula certainly had someone to talk to while their father was overseas: the man himself. To help bridge the geographical distance between them and create a sounding board for his two kids, DeCran's wife Cierra installed a Ring Video Doorbell at their home. Originally, the chief driver behind setting up the camera had been so DeCrans could keep a close eye on his home and family. However, once the Ring device was installed, it soon took on a different role for Zerick and Petroula, providing the family with a much-needed "emotional lifeline." In the months that followed, Zerick and Petroula used the doorbell almost daily to send their dad videos about their lives. He got updates from Petroula about how school was doing, while Zerick was eager to tell his dad about new bike-riding skills. Footage of just a handful of these exchanged was shared with Newsweek by Ring and makes for heartwarming viewing. The siblings' love and adoration of their dad is plain to see, as is the positive impact the Ring doorbell had on them. Cierra told Ring: "You could just tell that it helped them deal with the deployment. They just knew that [their dad] was going to be on the other end." The kids were not the only ones enjoying the camera either. For DeCrans, seeing moments like his daughter in a princess dress on her birthday or the neighbor's kids selling cookies brought comfort. "Ring definitely made me feel like I was always home," DeCrans said. "With a simple tap at the doorbell, my family found an easy, meaningful way to stay connected despite being thousands of miles apart."
