Hair is not only a part of one’s look, but also an identity, confidence, and personal style. Of course, any signs of hair loss may lead to stress and anxiety. The most popular question asked when we spot hair thinning and shedding is: “Is my hair styling routine to blame for this?”
From blow-drying and straightening, tight hairstyles, and chemical treatments, a lot of our styling habits can cause strain to our hair. But how much is too much?
Styling, will it however, cause permanent hair loss?
In this article we will go over the connection between hair styling and the health of hair and debunk the myths around hair care to make you care for your hair with more confidence.
Types of Hair Loss: Temporary vs. Permanent
Temporary Hair Loss
Hair loss that is temporary is usually reversible and is due to stress, changes in hormones, poor nutrition, or certain modes of styling your hair.
Examples: Telogen Effluvium (chronic stress-induced shedding), traction alopecia (caused by tight hairstyles).
Permanent Hair Loss
Genetics and conditions of the body lead to permanent hair loss, where the follicles are damaged or destroyed.
Examples: Androgenetic alopecia (male/female pattern baldness), scarring alopecia.
Normal hair shedding vs. excessive hair loss
Normal Hair Shedding
It is normal to lose 50 to 100 hairs on a normal day during combing or washing because it’s an aspect of natural hair growth.These hairs typically grow back.
Excessive Hair Loss
Noticing a lot of hair clumps on your brush, pillow or a drain in your shower will be a warning sign of a serious problem. When an individual loses an abnormal amount of hair consistently or suddenly, then medical or dermatological attention is needed.
How Hair Styling Can Contribute to Hair Loss
Hair styling is an integral part of self-expression and grooming.Some of the practices of hair styling if carried out over-the-top or incorrectly, can cause different forms of hair damage or even hair loss in the long run. Here’s how:
1. Damage due to Traction Alopecia
Traction alopecia refers to a state of hair loss arising from unnecessary tension on the hair follicles. This condition occurs slowly as one’s hair is pulled in the same direction over a period.
Hairstyles That Cause Tension:
- Tight ponytails
- Braids and cornrows
- Buns and updos
- Hair extensions and weaves
Signs and Symptoms of traction alopecia:
- Receding hairline
- It can be thin at the temples or on the forehead.
- Scalp tenderness or bumps
- Broken hairs around the hairline
2. Damage due to Heat Damage
Impact of Frequent Use of Heat Styling Tools:
Equipment like straighteners, curling irons, and blow dryers expose the hair to high temperatures thus they are denied moisture and their structure is also made weak.
How Heating Weakens Hair Strands:
- Makes hair dry and brittle
- Causes split ends and breakage
- Ruins the cuticle (the outer part of the hair strand), thus rendering it vulnerable to breaking.
- Exposure to heat for prolonged periods can even result in thinning since the hair is broken close to the root if at all.
3. Damage due to Chemical Damage
Hair dyes, relaxers, perms, bleaching agents, and keratin treatments have strong chemicals that affect the natural state of your hair. The overuse of these chemical products can cause hair loss.
Effects on Hair and Scalp Health:
- Weakens the hair shaft
- Makes the hair dry, brittle, and even develop split ends.
- Irritates the scalp and it may cause inflammation or chemical burns
- Repeated exposures to chemicals can in severe cases lead to thinning and damage of follicles.
4. Damage due to Mechanical Damage
Over-brushing and Rough Handling
Frequent or vigorous brushing will cause friction and result in the breaking of hair strands.
Wet Hair Vulnerability
- The hair is more vulnerable when it is wet. Hair combing or styling when wet can also snap or stretch hair.
- Utilisation of Harsh Brushes and Combs:
- Fine-tooth combs or bristle brushes could ruin the cuticle.
- When tangles are pulled harshly they can worsen and cause breakage of the hair.
5. Damage due to Harmful Hair Products
Ingredients That Can Damage Hair and Scalp:
Sulfates: Removal of the natural oils of the scalp, which causes dryness.
Parabens: Possible hormone disruptors and irritants for the scalp
Formaldehyde (in some keratin treatments): Can cause weakened hair and irritation of the skin.
Silicones: Form buildup on the scalp, which suffocates follicles with time
Product Buildup and Scalp Irritation:
- Clogs the pores and interferes with healthy hair growth.
- Causes itching, flaking, or inflammation
- In time, poor scalp health can result in thinning and shedding of hair.
Preventive Measures to Avoid Hair Loss from Styling
The prevention of loss of hair is not stopping all the styling of your hair but rather making wise choices on how to style your hair in a milder way. Observing your styling, you will be able to save the scalp and the hair from long-term harm.
Choose Gentle Hairstyles and Avoid Excessive Tension
- Go for looser hairstyles that do not pull on the roots.
- Do not set tight ponytails, braids and buns daily.
- Change your hairstyle from time to time to minimise strain in the same areas of the hair.
- Put soft hair ties instead of rubber bands or tight elastics.
Limit Heat Styling Frequency and Temperature
- Reduce the use of blow dryers, curling irons, and straighteners.
- Always use a heat protectant spray when using heat tools.
- If you must use a device with a temperature setting, then use the lowest effective setting.
- Air dry hair when it is possible.
Opt for Chemical-Free or Mild Chemical Treatments
- Go for ammonia-free hair dyes or use natural colouring agents such as henna.
- Avoid multiple chemical treatments (e.g., colouring and perming within a week).
- Space the chemical treatments to allow your hair the time to relax.
- Consult a professional stylist for safer application.
Use Gentle Hair Care Products
- Choose shampoos and conditioners that have no sulphates, parabens, and alcohol.
- Seek nourishing ingredients such as aloe vera, coconut oil, biotin and keratin.
- Avoid heavy silicones that might leave a buildup.
- Shampoo your hair with lukewarm water, hot water may strip off natural oils.
Practice Proper Hair Handling Techniques
- Unwind softly from the ends going up.
- Apply a wide-tooth comb, preferably on damp hair.
- Don’t brush your hair when it is dripping wet, use a microfiber towel to dry it first.
- Do not rub hair vigorously with towels instead, pat it dry.
Give Your Hair Regular Breaks and Care for Your Scalp
- Take breaks between styling your hair and let it rest naturally.
- Scalp massage regularly can help increase blood circulation and hair growth.
- Exfoliate the scalp from time to time to remove buildup.
- For the healthy growth of follicles, keep your scalp clean and moisturised.
When to Consult a Dermatologist or Trichologist Due to Hair loss
The minor hair shedding is normal, occasional styling damage is curable at home, but there are moments when professional assistance will come in handy. It can be reasonable to seek advice from a dermatologist or one who specialises in the health of the hair and scalp, a trichologist, if you want to diagnose the underlying cause of your hair loss and a tailored diagnosis.
Signs That Require Professional Evaluation
- Sudden loss or excessive loss of hair (more than 100 strands daily).
- A balding mark, or an area where the scalp is visible.
- Receding hairline across the scalp’s crown or temples
- Extreme dandruff or scaling of the scalp that doesn’t improve on OTC medications
- Itching, scalp redness or inflammation of the scalp
- Breakage or damage to hair following chemical procedures or under the use of heat.
- Hairline retreat or differences in the texture of hair
Possible treatments for styling-related hair loss
- Topical Treatments: Minoxidil, a growth-stimulating and anti-inflammatory steroid lotion
- Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT): Uses the concept of light therapy to trigger hair follicles.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: Use of your platelets through an injection to promote growth
- Hair Supplements: Supplements containing biotin, zinc, iron or amino acids.
- Scalp Treatments: Shampoos or serums for enhancing the scalp health that are medicated
- Lifestyle and Styling Advice: Changing hairstyle, reducing heat usage and using hair products.
- In some cases: Microneedling, mesotherapy, or hair transplantation
To avoid long-term effects, one should try to identify the early signs of hair and scalp problems. Consulting a dermatologist or trichologist at an important stage would help you to know the reason and get individual treatment. Whether you lose your hair because of your hairstyling habits or a deeper health concern, seeking professional attention in time can restore the disappearing hair, but also your self-esteem. Make the first step to healthier hair with IESH Ayurveda hair treatment solutions.
