Hair Braids May Lead To Baldness

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Hair Braids May Lead To Baldness

A new study, published this week on the website of the Archives of Dermatology, shows an association between weaves and braids and a type of permanent hair loss called central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA). Researchers believe that these so-called “traction” hairstyles, which exert a great deal of stress on the scalp due to how tight the hairs are pulled, can lead to the development of pus-filled bumps which later become infected by bacteria and lead to scarring and thinning of hair. “Making matters worse, women who are already losing their hair are more likely to favor these hairstyles because they help disguise thinning hair, the study notes.” The study doesn’t show that these hairstyles directly cause CCCA, just that there may be an association. Furthermore, the study only included women. Those with CCCA were more likely to have balding maternal grandfathers, as well as diabetes. Based on the study the average age of women with CCCA was 58. However, the condition often presents itself among women in their 40s, and sometimes as young as their 20s and 30s. [via CNN]

Read more about CCCA.

Share your comments here.

Tweet This Share on Facebook