Posted on 12/31/2004 8:22:05 PM PST by neverdem
REALLY?
THE FACTS Many Americans are quick to plop down large sums of money for trendy haircuts or trips to upscale salons, but some hairstyles can carry unforeseeable costs.
Tight ponytails, cornrows, buns, chignons, twists and other hairstyles that pull on the scalp for prolonged periods can result in irreversible hair loss, a medical condition known as traction alopecia.
There are no figures on how many people in the United States have experienced the problem, but it is probably most common in women and children.
It is also prevalent among African-Americans and East Indians, groups that are more likely to use chemical straighteners and braid their hair, and in the past, was common among nurses, many of whom used pins to secure their caps to their scalps for hours at a time.
The root cause of traction alopecia is excessive tension on the scalp.
The first signs are inflammation of the follicles, thickened or scaly skin, and in some cases small pustules. Over time, people with the condition may notice large amounts of broken strands around their scalps. Their hair, instead of being long and thick, becomes short and thin. The distribution of hair loss varies from one person to the next. In a person wearing a bun, for example, the damage may be confined to the back of the head.
Balding occurs when the problem is ignored long enough. But if detected early, it can be reversed. Or, it can be avoided altogether by limiting the use of tight curlers and chemical straighteners and by relaxing tension on the scalp.
THE BOTTOM LINE Hairstyles that pull too tightly on the scalp can lead to permanent hair loss.
scitimes@nytimes.com
Whoopie also wears corn holes in her pants.
yeah...cornrows...yeah...thats the ticket...I've been blaming it on rubbing on the pillow when I sleep...yeah...tight braids...yeah....
According to dermatologists, this form of alopecia is caused by traction.
traction alopecia, traumatic alopecia due to continuous or prolonged traction on the hair, as applied in certain styles of hair dressing or in the habit of twisting the hair.
There are many types of alopecia.
FReepmail me if you want on or off my health and science ping list.
Oh, God, please let this mean I will not have to look at another man in a pony tail.
Weight loss also causes hair loss, but I'm much happier at 50 lbs lighter. Woo Hoo! FYI, those dieting and seeing excess hair in the drain and in your brush might try Biotin suppliments.
LOL! What about the other weird hairdoos?
Happy New Year!
ping
I've had a crew cut flat top since 1954, I guess i'm safe.
Would certainly say so...but it's '05...don't you want a new do?
Hmmmm- shouldn't American Indians all be bald then?
"...but it's '05...don't you want a new do?"
Naw, i'll give it some thought in 20 years when i'll be trying to reach 100!
Is it... safe ?
He sure left his hair awful long on top!
Biotin is good, however a total B complex is better (including biotin). I tried biotin by itself and suffered from restless leg syndrom. When I cut out the biotin and started taking a B complex (with all the B vitamins in it), the restless leg syndrom went away.
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