A familiar part of your daily hair routine could be making you bald, experts warn. Researchers say that damage can develop gradually, meaning changes in hair density may be easy to overlook.
The study, published on September 7, examined 10 women with chronic localised alopecia corresponding to areas where hairstyling accessories repeatedly contacted the scalp. Nine women had hair loss around the crown, while the accessories involved included pins, clips, buns, ponytails, an overnight roller and a hair prosthesis. Hairpins were implicated in four of these cases, making them the most common accessory in the small study.
Dr Emrah Cinik, founder of Dr Cinik Hair Clinic, said: “People generally associate traction hair loss with very tight ponytails, braids or extensions, so a small clip can feel completely harmless. The important point from this research is that the force does not necessarily have to be dramatic. Repeated pressure, friction and tension concentrated on one small area over months or years may be enough to keep irritating the same follicles.”
The study found four patients experienced partial regrowth after the suspected accessory was removed or modified alongside treatment, while another four remained stable. One patient’s hair loss worsened while she continued wearing a hair prosthesis secured with hairpins.
Dr Cinik added: “If you wear a claw clip, barrette or hairpin most days, take it out and look at the exact area where the accessory normally rests.You are looking for a patch that appears noticeably less dense than the surrounding hair, increased scalp visibility or a small area where hairs are consistently shorter or broken.
“Do the same check with your hair down and preferably under good overhead lighting. Taking a photograph can also make it easier to compare the same area several weeks later.”
The British Association of Dermatologists says hair clips can be associated with traction alopecia and warns that long-term repetitive pulling can permanently damage hair follicles. It also says early hair loss can improve when damaging tension is stopped.
Dr Cinik continued: “Changing the position is one of the simplest things people can do. If your clip sits directly on the crown every day, move it lower or alternate where you secure your hair rather than repeatedly loading the same follicles.
“Choose an accessory that can hold the hair without needing excessive tension, and if you feel pulling, tenderness or pressure when you put it in, loosen it rather than deciding you will simply get used to the feeling. I would be particularly cautious about keeping a hard accessory pressed against the same part of the scalp while sleeping because that dramatically extends the exposure time.”
The research is only a 10-patient case series and does not establish how common accessory-related hair loss is. Anyone developing an unexplained bald patch should seek medical advice rather than assuming a hair accessory is responsible.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
