Hair pulled by hairstylist. I noticed a lot of hair loss. What should I do?

Question

Hello, I am 20 years old and a male. 2 years ago my hair stylist roughly pulled my hair with her comb. I noticed a bunch of hair loss a day after the cut. I was not experiencing hair loss before the cut. Till now I see a bunch of hair falling out whether I’m sitting down, running, or showering. What should I do?

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Hello,

I'm sorry to hear about your experience. It sounds like you might be dealing with a condition called traction alopecia, which is hair loss caused by pulling or tension on the hair. Here are a few steps you can take:

Consult a Dermatologist: Schedule an appointment with a dermatologist who specializes in hair loss. They can provide a thorough examination and determine the exact cause of your hair loss.

Gentle Hair Care: Be gentle with your hair. Avoid hairstyles that pull on your hair and use a wide-toothed comb to minimize breakage.

Healthy Diet: Ensure you are eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals that promote hair health, such as biotin, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Scalp Care: Keep your scalp healthy by using mild shampoos and conditioners. Avoid harsh chemicals and treatments that can further damage your hair.

Medical Treatments: Depending on the diagnosis, treatments such as minoxidil or other hair growth therapies might be recommended by your dermatologist.

Early intervention is key, so I encourage you to seek professional advice as soon as possible.

Ross Kopelman, DO · Answer

It sounds like the rough handling by your hairstylist may have triggered traction alopecia, which occurs when hair is pulled too forcefully. While this type of hair loss can be temporary, if you’re still noticing excessive shedding two years later, it could mean that the trauma to the hair follicles led to prolonged damage.
Since you're continuing to experience hair loss, here are a few steps you can take:
Consult with a hair specialist: Getting a professional evaluation can help determine if the hair loss is due to traction alopecia or if something else is contributing to the shedding.
Consider treatments like minoxidil: If your follicles are still active, topical treatments such as minoxidil can help stimulate regrowth and stabilize further hair loss.
Avoid further trauma: Be gentle with your hair, avoid tight hairstyles, and use a soft brush or wide-tooth comb to prevent any further stress on your scalp.
Evaluate other potential causes: Sometimes, an incident like this may trigger hair loss, but underlying factors&mdash;such as stress, diet, or genetic predisposition&mdash;can continue to contribute. It’s important to consider all possibilities.
Starting with these steps can help you address the hair loss and potentially promote regrowth over time.

Hair pulled by hairstylist. I noticed a lot of hair loss. What should I do?

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