Latest news with #tractionalopecia
News24
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- News24
From heat damage to flaky scalps: 6 hair blunders and how to fix them
So, your hairstylist isn't available, and you've managed to reverse the amazing work she's been doing for months? Don't worry, we've got you covered. 1. Tight plaits Ever walked out of the hair salon looking snatched, but feeling that tingling on your scalp and just shrugging it off, thinking it will pass? Fast-forward to bedtime and your scalp feels like it's on fire and you're about to rip the braids off or fetch your child's paper scissor to help you. The slightest tinge of pulling or tightness at the salon must be met with a stern, 'please undo that plait immediately'. Remember, losing your hair to traction alopecia is not reversible! We recommend that you undo the braids ASAP. But if you choose to soldier on, then wash your hair in warm water, apply a leave-in conditioner and don't tie it up. 2. Flaky scalp and itchiness The tricky part about solving this problem is that products specifically targeting it will oftentimes dry out the hair. This then becomes a catch-22 situation. Well, this is what we recommend. Double up – alternate between an anti-fungal shampoo and a moisturizing one. For the anti-fungal product, look out for ingredients like ketoconazole and zinc pyrithione. For the moisturising shampoo, ingredients like shea butter and oils will do. @truelovemagazine Ever wondered why Nomalanga Shozi always rocks big hair? Well, here's your answer. #truelovemagazine #nomalangashozi #truelovehair ♬ original sound - TRUELOVE 3. Losing hair Your hair may fall off because of several reasons – from heightened levels of stress and a change in products to styling tools and hormonal fluctuations. But if you're certain the reason it's clogging up the shower drain is from skipping that necessary treatment or visit to your stylist because you thought you could manage at home, we can help you. But first, ditch heat styling tools and those products that might break your hair. Let it dry out naturally. Your scalp will also need TLC, so get a scalp oil or hot oil treatment. And, you'll be wrong to assume not washing your hair will mean less loss. Look for shampoos and conditioners that are sulphate-free and free of parabens. Lastly, try beauty from the inside out, with a supplement that promotes hair growth and curbs further loss. 4. Over processing Say, you walk down the hair aisle and bat twice at the at-home relaxer kit. If you buy it, you might treat yourself to lunch because you saved cash. Well, at-home relaxer kits are safe, but only if you follow the instructions carefully – the strand test, time as well as dos and don'ts. Fast-forward to the aftermath and your hair doesn't look like that of the model on the box. The first thing your strands need is a protein (keratin) treatment. But be careful because too much protein can dry it out and lead to breakage. To balance out the protein, alternate with a deep hydration treatment or mask. If this doesn't help, maybe it's time for a pixie cut. @truelovemagazine Wendy Gumede, actress and the new face and voice of Dark and Lovely's #PurpleRange shares a tip for all the relaxed hair girlies. #wendyisdarkandlovely @Wendy Gumede @ ♬ original sound - TRUELOVE 5. Colour blunders Has your attempt to DIY Kelis-inspired ombre blue and blonde hair failed? Of course, it did! Complicated colour techniques, like ombre, and even highlights, should be left to colourists. But for a simple one-dimensional shade or should chopping your hair off fail, then go for it. For those hair fails, here's what you can do till your stylist can slot you in. Don't colour it again! If the colour is too dark, wash it a few more times. If blonde goes a little orange, use a purple toned shampoo. 6. Heat damage If your style needs regular heat styling with either a blow-dryer or flat iron, or sometimes even both, you need to be aware that you can damage your hair. Treatment is better than cure, so invest in a heat protectant product that you can apply before styling. Use a protein treatment to strengthen the hair weekly. Also, a bond builder is a great addition to your routine. Lastly, a smidge of hair oil on the tips of the ends will help make brittle split ends look more healthy.
Daily Mail
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Trendy hairstyle loved by Gen Z and millennial women linked to receding hairlines - as influencers left in tears over 'big bald patches'
A hairstyle popularised by Hollywood A-listers is causing women as young as 22 to get bald patches and lose their hair - as experts warn that it could lead to 'permanent damage'. The slicked-back bun is often the go-to for Gen Z and millennial women after it gained traction in 2022 when supermodels Hailey Bieber and Bella Hadid were seen sporting it. The bun, which is a key part of the 'clean girl aesthetic', involves brushing your hair several times to sweep up every strand before using a gel or pomade to smooth the hair down and twist into a low bun. To achieve this look, however, the hair must be pulled back so tightly that it can cause balding, experts have now warned. Celebrity hairdresser James Parr told FEMAIL: 'Wearing your hair in tight, slicked-back styles too often can put a lot of stress on your roots. 'Over time, this constant tension may lead to a type of hair loss called traction alopecia - so it's a good idea to give your scalp a break and wear your hair down from time to time or use a softer scrunchy as opposed to a tight elastic.' Influencer Saffron Barker, 24, described being 'upset and scared' when she found out that she had traction alopecia at the end of 2022 after repeatedly tugging her hair into various tight slicked hairstyles, including the low bun. She travelled to Los Angeles for an event where she had her tresses styled and put up in a tight bun, which caused her to be in pain. She told her YouTube channel at the time: 'A couple of months ago when I went to LA, I went and got my hair done and I had a bun in the middle of my head. I had never felt pain like it in my life. 'I literally cried and cried and I was taking tablets but I had to keep the bun in because I was going to an event and I didn't have time to re-do my hair.' Saffron then took her hair out and said she had the 'worst headache ever' and said that she saw spots on her head where the bun had sat. 'When I took my hair out, my head felt like the worst headache ever but nothing really happened,' she added. 'Then I had loads of spots on my head and it was super sore and red. A few weeks later when I got home, I noticed there was a big bald patch at the middle of my head.' She initially thought it was because her hair had been ripped out from the bun, but became increasingly more concerned when her locks weren't growing back. The content creator added: 'I was putting off the appointment [with a trichologist] because I didn't want to know if I had alopecia and what would happen to my hair. I was so upset and scared to go.' After seeing a hair doctor, Saffron - from Brighton - was told that it was likely that she had traction alopecia. This is often caused by tight hairstyles and the continuous strain on the hair follicles pulls out strands of hair and can damage or destroy the follicles, according to charity Alopecia UK. Saffron then included pictures of her traction alopecia to raise awareness and give people an insight into her experience of hair loss. 'I get my hair styled a lot for shoots, events, carpets, Strictly Come Dancing. It means my hair really hasn't been taken care of,' she said. Her trichologist gave her a spray to help induce hair growth, along with heat protectant spray for when she is getting her hair styled. London based hairdresser Gustav Fouche said that the although slicked-back hairstyles can be a popular choice, it can cause problems with hair over time due to repeated tension. He said: 'There are ways to achieve the slicked-back look without putting too much strain on the scalp. 'For instance, using styling products such as gel, hairspray or a shine serum can help create the illusion of a tighter style without actually pulling the hair too hard. A "wet look" finish can also give the same sleek effect while being much kinder to the hair. 'Consistently pulling the hair back tightly can lead to permanent damage.' TikToker Dori, from London, said she wore her hair in a slicked back bun for three weeks in a row and noticed that she had a bald patch on her head. She wrote: 'It's not worth it girls,' before adding: 'Back to the density serum I go, if I don't laugh, I'll cry.' April Nelson Sanders, from Utah, also made a TikTok @itsaprilsanders) about her hair falling out and said: 'Oh my gosh are we seeing my hairline right now? 'This is my sign not to do any more slick backs and this is the TikTok that is going to hold me accountable because I cannot have this much balding at the age of 22.' April then captioned her post: 'I'm in pain. Catch me using my hair serum every day from now on.' TikToker Hannah expressed her concerns about the slicked back bun showing her hair loss, especially after having a baby. 'Fellow slick back lovers, what are we doing about the postpartum hair loss? Because we're getting a little thin on the old edges. This is my go-to hairstyle and I don't know what I'm going to do if I get that much thinner. 'This doesn't look that bad but it's hidden. I've got a little baldy patch coming along. So what are we doing about that? Please share your tips.' Olivia Hope Rivera (@oliviahoperivera), from New York City, also posted on the social media platform about the risky hairstyle and said: 'So we're not going to talk about how wearing a slicked back bun literally makes you bald? 'My newest hair fixation has obviously been doing the Hailey Bieber, bad b*** slicked back bun, I've been wearing them for two weeks and I have lost hair. 'I know I have not seen all that forehead before. That's more forehead than usual.' She added: 'Like [has this happened to ]anyone else? I've talked to friends [that] this has happened to. Ladies, beware!' Maria Dowling, founder and creative director of a multi-award-winning salon in Dubai, revealed the first couple of warning signs that you may have traction alopecia. She said: 'The first sign of this happening to you is usually broken hairs around your hairline or thinning hair around the temples, which is known as frontal or parietal hair loss. Then, as time goes on, the hairline at the front may also start to recede. 'To minimise this happening to you, instead of wearing a tight or high ponytail, wear a lower bun or looser ponytail as this will minimise the amount of time your hair follicles are under tension. 'Also, avoid elasticated hair ties as the friction from these can increase the tension on the roots. If you really love this on-trend style, however, then limit its use to once or twice per week at the very most.' She said that if traction alopecia is caught early, it will limit the amount of permanent damage done to the follicles and strands should grow back after six months to a year. 'Unfortunately, however, if the traction alopecia has progressed to a more severe level, you may require a hair transplant to restore the original hairline and combat the hair loss that has been experienced as a result,' she said. But some content creators said they are aware that slicked back buns are ruining theirs strands - but simply don't seem to be bothered by it. British online gym coach Beth made a video of herself wearing the popular hairstyle and wrote what others had been saying to her: '"You're going to get a receding hairline having a slick back bun everyday".' Beth then captioned her video: 'Shut up Karen I don't care.' Robert Eaton, Creative Director at Russell Eaton Salons and Trichologist, said that slicked back buns can also cause hair follicle infections. He said: 'Over time, this tension can distort the natural growth pattern, causing the hair to fall out. Regularly wearing this style may also inflame the follicles, leading to conditions like folliculitis and even infections, both of which can contribute to further hair loss. 'The hairline is particularly vulnerable because the strands are finer and less resilient than those elsewhere on the scalp, making it more susceptible to progressive thinning.' Victoria Lynch, hair loss expert and founder of premium human hair extension brand Remi Cachet, added that if the hairstyle is worn repeatedly, it could lead to traction alopecia at the front, sides and nape of the hairline.
The Sun
11-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
The 5 mistakes you're making that are causing hair loss – including the style you should never wear
DESPERATE for longer, thicker tresses? Aren't we all. Broken shafts and weak follicles are commonplace thanks to a plethora of hair styling practices, such as heat, bleach and way-too-tight up 'dos. It's likely that, somewhere along the line, we're all engaging in things that are indirectly or directly causing our hair to fall out. Experts have long recommended oils and scalp massages to remedy thinning, but there's actually daily lifestyle changes you can implement too. On average, humans lose 50 to 100 strands of hair per day. This is a completely normal part of the hair growth cycle, where older hair falls out to make way for new hair to grow in. But in some cases, your daily routines will be inflating this number and putting you at risk of bald patches. 1. Stop slicking your hair back (or do it less) High-tension hairstyles, like slick-back buns and high ponytails, can wreak havoc on your follicles. These types of styles pull on the hair, making it susceptible to falling out AND thinning. "High-tension styles like slick ponytails may cause traction alopecia - a form of hair loss caused by chronic follicle stress,' Dr Suhail Alam from Aventus Clinic told The Express. 'Research published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that up to one in three women who regularly wear tight hairstyles experience some degree of hair loss." 2. Never sleep on wet hair We get it, you're tired - and flopping into bed for some doomscrolling seems way more attractive than standing in the mirror with the blow dryer at 10pm. For the sake of your hair health, though, you should choose the latter. I tried Aldi's Dyson airwrap dupe at bargain price - and it gave me easy hair salon look "Wet hair is weaker and more prone to breakage,' Dr Suhail said. 'Tossing and turning on it adds friction and tangling. Let it dry naturally, or use a gentle blow-dry before sleep." 3. Swap your pillow cases Most bed sheets and pillow cases are made from polyester (a synthetic fibre) or cotton, or sometimes a hybrid of the two. These abrasive materials can be particularly problematic for your tresses as they create more friction against the hair while you sleep, especially if you move around a lot. This friction can cause hair to tangle, break or frizz - and over time, this can make it fall out at an unnatural rate. Dr Suhail recommends sleeping on a satin or silk pillowcase to reduce friction, and thus foster a healthier sleep environment for your lengths. 4. Stop washing your hair so much Most people either team 'I wash my hair once a week' or 'I wash my hair every day' - but the sweet spot is somewhere in the middle. Over-washing strips sebum, the natural oil produced by your scalp to keep your hair moisturised and protected, leading to dryness and making your hair more prone to breakage. It can also irritate the scalp, contributing to conditions like dandruff and irritation and, in some instances, hair loss. Dr Suhail recommends washing your hair three times a week at most, but never less than two times a week, to ensure your scalp doesn't suffer a build-up of products and oils. 5. Turn down the shower temperature Like over-washing, having scorching water during your shower can further strip your hair of the natural oils and contribute towards hair loss. Hair re-growth FAQs Anabel Kingsley, Consultant Trichologist and Brand President at Philip Kingsley spoke exclusively to Fabulous. How long does it take for hair to grow back? Hair grows, on average, half an inch a month. You cannot speed this up. Do rosemary oil and scalp massages work? Oils do not promote hair growth. In terms of rosemary oil, the current trend stems from one small study carried out on 50 men in 2015. No women were involved, and the study compared the effects of 2 per cent minoxidil to Rosemary oil. 2 per cent minoxidil doesn't do much for male pattern hair loss anyway, so the results were not very impressive. Oils do serve a purpose in conditioning hair treatments though. They help add shine and smooth the hair cuticle to lock-in moisture and improve combability. Scalp massages alone won't cure hair loss, but it can help relax you, aid in lymphatic drainage, exfoliate and help topicals penetrate. Are there any products or foods/vitamins you recommend someone using or eating to help with hair regrowth? To support healthy hair regrowth, if you are experiencing hair thinning we'd recommend our Density Preserving Scalp Drops clinically proven to help slow hair loss with continued daily use within three months. Telogen effluvium (hair shedding) due to nutritional deficiencies can often be simply treated with changes to your diet, and nutritional supplements such as our specially formulated Density Healthy Hair Complex and Density Amino Acid Booster. Iron and Ferritin (stored iron) in red meat, dried apricots and dark, leafy greens. Vitamin B12 in animal products and fortified plant-based foods. Protein from oily fish, lean meat, cottage cheese, tofu, nuts, chickpeas, and beans. However, there may be an underlying cause for their hair loss and rather than this being masked by using an off-the-shelf product, they should be encouraged to seek the advice of a specialist such as a Trichologist. Furthermore, the heat from hot water opens up the hair cuticle (the outer layer of the hair shaft), which allows moisture to escape from your hair. This can turn your lengths dry, brittle and more susceptible to breakage over time - and when it's dry, your hair will feel rough and look dull. And when the scalp loses moisture, it may overcompensate by producing excess oil, leading to greasy hair or an imbalanced scalp. This will also make your hair appear less smooth and harder to manage after a hot shower. Instead, you should shampoo it with lukewarm water.
