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
Might be too many male hormones.
My wife likes it, so tough luck.
I keep my hair short so It doesn't need much maintenance. It does grow quickly. Genetically I should be grey and balding by now. That isn't happening.
In your case it might be genetics...sorry.
Sometimes prescription medicines can make hair fall out. Stress can do a number on it, too.
(And who isn't under stress these days???)
When not "going out" I wear my hair in either a braided tail or a bun. [otherwise my dogs grab it and try to drag me across the room]
Check my pic.
They must mean those super-tight braids some people have.
Seriously, nice hair. It must have taken years to grow.
You could call John-Boy and sue *both* your parents and Bush for your follicular disenfranchisement.
It's *not* fair and society ~must~ be made to pay dearly!.....LOL!
[ I'm just a short little runt and personally, I'm considering suing the highway department for building the road too close to my arse]....;)
Thanks....:)
I didn't set out to do it.
It just happened.
I got too busy/lazy to go have it cut and that's what happened.
This is my "7 year rest/shed" phase so it's unintentionally "multi-length" right now.....LOL!
Well, I'm short and hairless, at least you have hair. Guess my lack of height will be another reason I can sue parents/Bush.
False. Whoopi has dredlocks, not cornrows. If you want to see what cornrows look like, click here. Yeah, that's me.
Overly tight cornrows cause hair breakage, not fall out. In fact, hair grows much faster with it braided like that.
Oh what the heck.
Just sue everybody!....;)
Whoopie has her hair in dreadlocks, doesn't she? Wouldn't that be more natural and not artifically pulling? Not that I am a Whoopie fan.
I always wanted to try that but it costs a fortune to have done if you don't know how to do it yourself...:)
Having it done to yourself by yourself is nearly impossible. If you lived in Dallas, I could have you taken care of very, very reasonably. Hint: My wife just opened her salon in our house and does these styles. She did mine.
I can't even French braid my hair. Wish I could.
If I lived in Dallas my husband would be very annoyed come suppertime....;))
I have an aunt who's a stylist but she's also scissor-happy.
I went to her for a "little trim" in the 70s and came home with a Mick Jagger shag....8-O
So do I.
It would be so much nicer for motorcycling than the unending braid/unbraid ritual every time I get on or off the bike.....:-\
I've tried and I have *no* idea how those women do it.
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