I wore my pony tails too tight without realizing my hair was thinning because of it not growing. Can I rejuvenate or stimulate new hair growth in areas that seem bald?

In fact ponytails can cause permanent hair loss. Any hairstyle that pulls on the scalp for a long period of time can cause hair loss. The hair loss can be reversed if the hairstyle is changed in time… but prolonged wear can lead to permanent loss. Styles to be careful with include tight ponytails & braids, cornrows, buns, chignons, and twists. You should also be careful with hair extensions that are glued or sewn into the hair, as well as with hair pins that secure hats for hours at a time. Women who wear ponytails report that their hair is no longer growing, when in fact it is repeatedly broken at the same distance from the scalp due to the trauma caused by the tight rubber band. Signs to watch out for include an itchy red scalp, tension headaches, hair breakage around the scalp, and random bald patches.

If you have noticed any of these symptoms of traction alopecia, you must stop wearing the offending hairstyle immediately. You should try Minoxidil (Rogaine) first for at least 6 months, and then see doctor about possible hair transplant.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 10th, 2007 at 6:40 pm and is filed under Hair Restoration information, Hair Loss Information. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.