THIS MINDLESS HABIT WILL CAUSE HAIR LOSS FOR WOMEN
Hair loss for women has become quite the topic of conversation on social media lately, and certainly a topic for us at kaia HQ. It’s not uncommon to shed strands of hair following your shower routine or throughout the day, however, if you’ve noticed more and more strands in the drain as of late, you could be in the early stages of hair loss. Naturally, your immediate course of action is to make changes to your diet, hair routine, take vitamins and try any at-home remedies the internet will tell you; however, implementing these changes is often frustrating and futile if you can’t pinpoint the root cause of the issue.
Hair loss for women is real, and there are numerous factors that could be contributing to it, but this often overlooked habit many of us do before a gym workout can be the culprit… tight hairstyles.
WHAT IS TRACTION ALOPECIA?
Wearing a tight hairstyle, such as a ponytail or bun while working out, can lead to a form of hair loss for women called traction alopecia. This form of alopecia (hair loss) is caused by repeated stress on the hair follicle from pulling, leading to damage and, in some cases, causes permanent hair loss if not addressed early.
HAIR IS INCREDIBLY VULNERABLE DURING A WORKOUT
During a workout, your hair is much more prone to damage due to it being in a weaker state. Hair that is exposed to moisture is more prone to breakage, so sweating combined with a tight hairstyle can cause hair loss for women who combine these on a regular basis. Sweat can lead to hair loss by clogging hair follicles and disrupting hair growth.
EARLY SIGNS OF TRACTION ALOPECIA HAIR LOSS FOR WOMEN
Since this form of alopecia occurs over a period of time, noticing the early signs is crucial to preventing permanent damage. This includes looking for:
- Broken hairs around the forehead
- Receding hairline
- Patches of hair loss where the hair is pulled tightly
Take time each month to evaluate your hair and if you notice any of these early signs, know that your hairstyle is causing damage. If hair is left pulled tightly, it will stop growing in areas with significant pulling, and shiny, bald skin patches may begin to show. If traction alopecia hair loss advances to this stage, hair will not grow back.